What Big Wave Group does

Big Wave Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1999 by Jeff Peck to address the chronic shortage of long-term housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) on the San Francisco Peninsula. The organization is developing a 12-acre campus in Half Moon Bay, California, anchored by the $37 million Big Wave Center — a 50,000-square-foot, LEED-certified residence with 38 studio-to-three-bedroom apartments that will provide lifelong housing for 40 adults with IDD. Construction began in September 2024 with completion targeted for spring 2026 after 24 years of planning, permitting, and fundraising.

The business model is a community housing cooperative supplemented by philanthropic and commercial revenue. Families purchase a one-time residential membership (~$60,000) and pay ongoing monthly rent (~$800) calibrated to SSI/SSP incomes, with seven units reserved on a need-basis (fee waived, rent only). The campus also generates revenue through commercial leases — the on-site kitchen to One Step Beyond, Inc. (OSBI) for a Culinary Academy and Day Program, and ~3,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail to tenants including a martial arts academy and florist. The five-acre Big Wave Farm sells eggs, lavender products, honey, herbs, herbal salts, and Coopfetti at the Harvard Community Market and Half Moon Bay Feed and Fuel, while hosting hundreds of Bay Area adults with IDD monthly through day-program partnerships with Golden Gate Regional Center, Community Gatepath, Hope Services, and Kainos. Construction was enabled by a $12.5 million LISC loan, with the balance funded via membership sales, foundation grants, and private donations.

Operationally, Big Wave is transitioning from a founder-led volunteer organization to a professionally managed nonprofit. Founder Jeff Peck stepped from CEO to board director in 2023, and Jennifer Senecal was appointed the first Executive Director in October 2025, joined by an Executive Chef and an Enrichment Coordinator. The organization is governed by a nine-member board with deep expertise in construction, finance, law, and the IDD services sector, and holds LEED certification, an eight-year peer-reviewed Environmental Impact Report approval, and a 2026 CBS KPIX 5 Icon Award to the founder.

Name

Big Wave Group

Legal name

Big Wave Group

Website

https://bigwaveproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Big Wave Group is a California nonprofit operating a 12-acre campus in Half Moon Bay providing lifelong housing for 40 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, alongside a vocational farm and partner-operated culinary academy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

El Granada

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Residential Membership Fees: Families pay a one-time membership fee to secure a residential unit for their adult child with IDD at the Big Wave Center. Core group of families paid approximately $60,000 each for a membership, with costs having risen with construction prices. Four membership units were remaining as of 2024, with seven units reserved on a need-based basis (exempt from membership fee but subject to rent).
2. Monthly Residential Rent: Residents pay ongoing monthly rent for their apartments. Each unit rents for approximately $800 per month. Big Wave aims to keep rents at accessible prices for adults living on SSI/SSP incomes.
3. Commercial Space Leasing: Big Wave leases commercial spaces within the residence to businesses and organizations. A commercial kitchen is leased to One Step Beyond, Inc. (OSBI). Additional 3,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor commercial space is leased to businesses that may provide employment opportunities for residents, including a martial arts academy and florist.
4. Farm Product Sales: The five-acre Big Wave Farm produces and sells eggs, lavender products (teas, sugar, hot cocoa, body oil, neck wraps, mists, fire sticks, sachets), honey, fresh herbs, herbal salts (Mediterranean sea salt with farm herbs, southwestern rub), and seasonal produce. Products are sold at the Harvard Community Market, the Half Moon Bay Feed and Fuel store (for Coopfetti), and a seasonal farm stand.
5. Grants and Private Donations: Big Wave Group relies on grants and private donations to fund the project and ongoing operations. This includes funding from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), as well as foundation grants and individual donor contributions.
6. Construction Financing (LISC Loan): Big Wave secured up to $12.5 million in construction financing from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Bay Area, utilizing funds within the Partnership for the Bay's Future, to complete the $37 million residence construction.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Big Wave Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit building and operating the Big Wave Center, a 50,000-square-foot residence in Half Moon Bay, California, providing lifelong housing for 38-40 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in private studio-to-three-bedroom apartments. Its core offering combines residential membership with vocational programs at the 5-acre Big Wave Farm, day programs and a culinary academy operated by partner One Step Beyond, Inc., and commercial tenant leasing within the campus, supported by one-time membership fees, monthly rent, grants, donations, and farm product sales.

Product overview

Big Wave Group is a nonprofit organization offering a campus-based intentional community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Half Moon Bay, California. The portfolio consists of the Big Wave Center (the main residential housing facility with 38-40 apartments), the Big Wave Farm (a five-acre vocational agricultural program), and partner-operated programs including the One Step Beyond Culinary Academy. The Big Wave Center serves as the residential hub providing lifelong housing, while the Farm provides vocational training and produces products for sale. The One Step Beyond programs provide day services, culinary training, and catering operations. Together these offerings create a comprehensive ecosystem providing housing, community, purpose, and employment opportunities for adults with IDD.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Big Wave Center A 50,000-square-foot two-story LEED-certified residential facility providing lifelong housing for 38-40 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), featuring private studio to three-bedroom apartments, a 10,000-square-foot outdoor courtyard, indoor common areas, and a commercial kitchen on a 7-acre campus in Half Moon Bay, California. Sold as a residential membership (approximately $60,000 one-time fee) plus monthly rent (approximately $800).
• Big Wave Farm A five-acre vocational agricultural program in Princeton Harbor, Half Moon Bay, providing hands-on farming skills, gardening, animal care, and nutritional education to adults with special needs from across the Bay Area through county day program partnerships. The farm produces and sells eggs, lavender products, honey, fresh herbs, herbal salts, and seasonal produce to the local community.
• Farm Products Farm products sold directly to consumers, including fresh eggs, lavender products (teas, sugar, hot cocoa, body oil, neck wraps, mists, fire sticks, sachets), honey, fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, blue basil, oregano), herbal salts (Mediterranean sea salt with farm herbs, southwestern rub), and Coopfetti herbal blend for chickens. Sold at the Harvard Community Market, a seasonal farm stand, and the Half Moon Bay Feed and Fuel retail store.
• One Step Beyond Culinary Academy and Day Program On-site culinary academy, catering program, and day program operated by partner tenant One Step Beyond, Inc. (OSBI) within the Big Wave Center's commercial kitchen, providing continuing education, community inclusion, music, arts, physical fitness, recreation, job training, and restaurant-industry employment preparation for adults with IDD throughout the Bay Area.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40 adults with IDD will have lifelong housing, addressing the critical housing shortage in San Mateo County where Bay Area affordable housing serves only 8% of adults with IDD.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• One Step Beyond, Inc. (OSBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne Step Beyond is a nonprofit organization that will lease and operate the commercial kitchen at the Big Wave Center, running a Culinary Academy and Catering Program for adults with IDD, as well as a Day Program providing continuing education, community inclusion, music, arts, physical fitness, recreation, and job training. OSBI is an experienced life skills and employment training program with an existing A-rated culinary academy serving adults with intellectual disabilities in California and Arizona. CEO Madison Blanton is the sister of an adult with intellectual disabilities.
• Swenson BuilderscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSwenson Builders, a leading Northern California developer and general contractor based in San Jose, CA, was selected as the general contractor for the Big Wave Center. They are providing labor and materials and managing building construction of the 50,000-square-foot two-story residence and 10,000-square-foot courtyard.
• Architectural DimensionsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitectural Dimensions served as the project architect for the Big Wave Center residence, designing the two-story, 50,000-square-foot building with studio to three-bedroom apartments, a 10,000 sq. ft. outdoor courtyard, and indoor common areas.
• DRB AssociatesmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDRB Associates served as the project manager for the Big Wave Center construction, overseeing the development process alongside the general contractor and architect.
• Ernst & Young (EY)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerForty volunteers from the Bay Area Ernst & Young offices participated in building the 3,000-foot bio-fence at Big Wave Farm and constructed a new shed for lavender, herbs, and produce storage. This corporate volunteer engagement demonstrates community support and provides hands-on labor for farm development.
• Golden Gate Regional Center, Community Gatepath, Hope Services, Kainos (and other regional center day programs)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCounty regional centers serving adults with IDD (including Golden Gate Regional Center, Community Gatepath, Hope Services, and Kainos) refer individuals to Big Wave Farm's vocational day programs. Hundreds of adults with IDD visit the farm monthly through these day program partnerships, gaining farming skills, nutritional guidance, and social opportunities.
• Google, Stanford University, Visa, Foothill College, National Charity League, Sares Regis, Girl Scouts (and other Bay Area organizations)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate and educational organizations send volunteers to Big Wave Farm for community service days, providing help with farm maintenance, construction projects, and community events. These partnerships increase Big Wave's visibility and provide volunteer labor for farm and campus operations.
• California Coastal CommissionmajorOthersThe California Coastal Commission reviewed and approved Big Wave's environmental impact report and issued permits for the project in 2015. The Commission's approval was a critical regulatory milestone that allowed the project to proceed. The Commission also deemed the project posed no substantial environmental impacts.
• San Mateo CountymajorOthersSan Mateo County reviewed and approved Big Wave's environmental impact report and issued all necessary construction and utility permits. The County also acquired 5.28 acres of adjacent coastal land to expand Pillar Point Marsh and protect sensitive habitats, working collaboratively with Big Wave on land use planning. County Supervisor Ray Mueller has publicly supported the project at construction launch events.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• One Step Beyond, Inc. (OSBI): OSBI is the on-site culinary academy operator and day program partner at Big Wave Center, running culinary training, catering, and adult day programs for the IDD community across California and Arizona. It is a direct peer operating overlapping vocational/day services for the same IDD population.
• AbilityPath: AbilityPath is a Bay Area nonprofit serving children and adults with IDD through education, therapy, and adult day programs. Big Wave's new Executive Director previously led AbilityPath programs for 400+ IDD adults, and AbilityPath directly competes for the same IDD talent pool and donor base in San Mateo County.
• Via Services / Via West Camp: Via Services (and Via West Camp) operates residential camp and day programs for children and adults with disabilities across the Bay Area. Quoted on Big Wave's own website as a former CEO, and serves a substantially overlapping IDD population in the same geography.
• Hope Services: Hope Services is a Silicon Valley-based nonprofit providing employment, day programs, and housing for people with IDD and mental health needs. It is one of Big Wave's day-program referral partners and serves the same Bay Area IDD population through overlapping programs.
• Community Gatepath: Community Gatepath is a San Mateo County nonprofit providing early intervention, adult day programs, and employment services for people with developmental disabilities. It is one of Big Wave's day-program referral partners serving the same county-level IDD population.
• Kainos Home & Training Center: Kainos provides residential, vocational, and day programs for adults with developmental disabilities in the Bay Area, including a working vocational enterprise. It is one of Big Wave's day-program referral partners and competes for the same residential-IDD niche.

Broad incumbents

• The Arc of the United States: The Arc is the largest national nonprofit advocacy and service organization for people with IDD, with a network of state and local chapters providing housing, employment, and family support. It is a broad incumbent in the same IDD-housing and community-integration space.
• Easterseals: Easterseals is a national disability services nonprofit providing housing, employment, day programs, and therapeutic supports across the U.S. Big Wave's new ED previously held leadership roles at Easterseals Bay Area, and the two organizations overlap broadly on the IDD service portfolio.

Emerging players

• L'Arche USA: L'Arche operates intentional communities where people with and without intellectual disabilities live together, a model structurally analogous to Big Wave's planned community. It is a niche national operator with overlapping mission and supported-living approach.
• Camphill Communities of California: Camphill operates intentional farm-and-craft-based communities for people with developmental disabilities in Northern California. The vocational farm + residential community model closely mirrors Big Wave's Big Wave Center + Big Wave Farm design.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BigWaveGroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/BigWaveProject
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/big-wave-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/bigwaveproject
• Xx.com/_bigwaveproject

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Big Wave Group