The Arc

What The Arc does

The Arc of the United States is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1950 and headquartered at 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC. It is the nation's leading advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and operates through a federated network of nearly 600 state and local chapters. The organization played an instrumental role in establishing landmark U.S. disability rights legislation including IDEA, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Its core service lines span criminal justice reform via the National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability (NCCJD) and its Pathways to Justice program, special education advocacy through The Arc@School, future planning via the Center for Future Planning, health initiatives including Mental Health First Aid Training and the Dental for All program, technology access via the Tech Toolbox directory and Digital Literacy Training (developed with AT&T), and grassroots policy advocacy through the Action Center platform at act.thearc.org.

The organization's programs are not technology products but rather advocacy initiatives, training curricula, resource directories, and policy campaigns delivered through digital platforms and chapter networks. The Arc@School is hosted at thearcatschool.org, the Center for Future Planning at futureplanning.thearc.org, and the Tech Toolbox at toolbox.thearc.org, reflecting a federated digital footprint supporting program-level service delivery. There is no proprietary core technology platform; the technology stack consists of standard web properties, an advocacy action center, virtual program libraries, and webinar delivery infrastructure.

The Arc's revenue model combines individual donations and memorial tribute gifts, annual individual and nonprofit membership dues (with benefits including newsletters, action alerts, event discounts, and insurance access through partner Mercer), event revenue from the National Convention and Summer Leadership Institute, and project-based grants and corporate sponsorships. Major disclosed funding in 2024 includes a $2.5 million grant from United Health Foundation for mental health training and a $246,838 grant from AmeriCorps Public Allies. Corporate sponsors and partners include Comcast NBCUniversal, AT&T, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, The Coca-Cola Foundation, Amazon, Autodesk Foundation, SEPHORA, Mutual of America Financial Group, and Mercer. Customer concentration is diffuse across the IDD population and families, with moderate program-level funding concentration from a small number of flagship foundations and corporate partners.

Name

The Arc

Legal name

The Arc

Website

https://thearc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Arc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1950 that advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through nearly 600 chapters nationwide, delivering policy advocacy, criminal justice reform, education, health, and technology access programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs (EDAKAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

IEP Goals, Accommodations & Modifications Design (EDAKACAE), Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI), 504 Plan Consulting & Disability Accommodations (School-Based) (EDAKACAG)

Keywords

• Disability rights advocacy
• Intellectual disability services
• Special education advocacy
• Nonprofit disability programs
• Disability policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The Arc generates revenue through individual donations, memorial tribute gifts, and general contributions. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
2. Membership Dues: Individual membership provides access to newsletters, action alerts, discounted event registration, and exclusive insurance coverage rates through partner Mercer. Nonprofit membership provides network access and learning opportunities.
3. Event Revenue: Revenue from national events including National Convention and Summer Leadership Institute with discounted registration for members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Arc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that delivers programs, training, and resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Its offerings span criminal-justice reform (NCCJD, Pathways to Justice), special education advocacy (The Arc@School), future planning, health initiatives (Mental Health First Aid, Dental for All), assistive-technology resources (Tech Toolbox), and digital literacy training, complemented by a national policy and legal advocacy apparatus.

Product overview

The Arc operates as a nonprofit advocacy organization offering a portfolio of programs and services rather than a single unified technology product. Its core offerings include advocacy platforms, training programs, and resource directories. Key products include the National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability (NCCJD) with its Pathways to Justice program for criminal justice reform; The Arc@School for special education advocacy; the Center for Future Planning for life planning resources; Mental Health First Aid Training and Dental for All for health initiatives; Tech Toolbox for assistive technology; and Digital Literacy Training developed with AT&T. These programs function as standalone initiatives supported by the organization's main website and dedicated sub-sites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability (NCCJD): A national center dedicated to pursuing systemic reform at the intersection of criminal justice and disability, with a focus on intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• The Arc@School
• Center for Future Planning
• Tech Toolbox
• Dental for All

Products and services

• National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability (NCCJD) A national center pursuing systemic reform at the intersection of criminal justice and intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD). It provides information and referral services, training, and technical assistance to people with IDD, families, advocates, and professionals.
• Pathways to Justice A community-based program under NCCJD that improves access to justice for people with disabilities by deploying Disability Response Teams and delivering training to law enforcement and professionals.
• Talk About Sexual Violence Program providing practical tools, including training videos, conversation guides, and resources, to address sexual violence against people with IDD, aimed at healthcare professionals and support networks.
• The Arc@School Program helping chapters, parents, and advocates support students with disabilities at school, with resources on IEPs, Section 504, transition planning, and special education advocacy.
• Center for Future Planning Center providing person-centered resources to help people with IDD and their families plan for housing, finances, work, and daily life.
• Mental Health First Aid Training Training program that teaches participants to identify signs of mental health struggles and provide initial support, offered in virtual and in-person formats through ten participating chapters of The Arc.
• Dental for All Initiative funded by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health that raises awareness of oral health needs among people with IDD and helps communities find inclusive dental care.
• Tech Toolbox A directory of assistive-technology products and resources for people with disabilities, made available through a dedicated online directory.
• Digital Literacy Training Program A nationwide digital skills training program created in collaboration with AT&T, providing accessible digital literacy training for people with IDD and their families, with additional Tech Coaching Centers operated jointly with Comcast NBCUniversal.
• Individual Membership Annual membership program for individuals providing access to newsletters, action alerts, discounted event registration, and exclusive insurance coverage rates (including group term life, health, and Medicare supplement) through partner Mercer.
• Nonprofit Membership Annual membership for nonprofit organizations providing national network access, resources, grassroots advocacy support, and learning opportunities at annual events such as the National Convention and Summer Leadership Institute.

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• United Health FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2024$2.5 million partnership to address the mental health crisis among people with disabilities. The Arc and United Health Foundation are collaborating on Mental Health First Aid training, education, and resources. Ten chapters of The Arc nationwide are participating in this project to bring mental health training to communities and reduce stigma around mental health for people with IDD.
• Comcast NBCUniversalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 2017 to bridge the digital divide for people with disabilities. The Arc and Comcast created Tech Coaching Centers to expand technology access, understanding, and confidence. Training programs have reached nearly 6,000 people with disabilities, helping them develop digital skills and independence.
• AT&TcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationwide digital literacy program bringing digital skills training to people with disabilities and their families. The Arc, The Arc San Francisco, and AT&T collaborated to create safe and accessible digital skills trainings that accommodate different learning styles of people with IDD.
• CareQuest Institute for Oral HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding the Dental for All program to improve oral health access for people with IDD. The initiative focuses on raising awareness about oral health needs and helping communities find inclusive dental care solutions through events like Dental Office Open Houses.
• AmeriCorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to build inclusive volunteering national initiatives including Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and September 11 Day of Service and Remembrance. The Arc is a proud partner and grantee supporting national service programs.
• WITH FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant funding for the Talk About Sexual Violence project addressing the high rates of sexual assault against people with disabilities (7 times the rate of people without disabilities). Project includes training videos, guides, and tools for healthcare professionals to support victims.
• The Coca-Cola FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting The Arc@School education initiative with funding for advocacy resources and training materials for chapters, parents, and special education advocates.
• AmazonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured sponsor of The Arc's programs and advocacy efforts.
• Autodesk FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured sponsor supporting The Arc's technology and accessibility initiatives.
• SEPHORAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured sponsor supporting The Arc's programs and advocacy.
• Mutual of America Financial GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured sponsor providing retirement services and investments support.
• MercerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance partner providing exclusive coverage rates including Group Term Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Medicare supplement, and other coverage options for individual members of The Arc.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD): National nonprofit professional association focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities, with overlapping policy, research, and member-service missions. AAIDD is a coalition partner of The Arc and operates in the same IDD advocacy and professional-development space.
• ANCOR (American Network of Community Options and Resources): National nonprofit association representing private-sector providers of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ANCOR is a coalition partner of The Arc and shares overlapping advocacy on Medicaid HCBS funding and direct-support workforce issues.
• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): Disability-led national nonprofit advocating for disability rights and Autistic community priorities. ASAN is a coalition partner of The Arc and competes for policy influence, donor dollars, and self-advocate engagement in the IDD space.
• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): National nonprofit providing services and advocacy for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities through a national office and affiliate network. UCP shares The Arc's affiliate model, IDD focus, and federal advocacy mission and is a coalition partner.
• National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): Nonprofit membership network of Protection & Advocacy (P&A) agencies providing legal advocacy and rights protection for people with disabilities. NDRN overlaps with The Arc on legal advocacy, civil rights enforcement, and disability policy.
• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS): National advocacy organization for people with Down Syndrome and their families, focused on policy, education, and community programs. NDSS is comparable to The Arc on mission structure (family-centered disability advocacy) and competes for similar donor and policy audiences.
• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC): International professional association for special and gifted education teachers, administrators, and advocates. CEC operates in the same special-education advocacy and IEP/504 policy space that The Arc@School addresses.
• Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF): National civil rights law and policy center led by people with disabilities and their families. DREDF overlaps with The Arc on legal advocacy, policy research, and civil rights litigation for the IDD community.
• TASH: International civil rights organization advancing equity, opportunity, and inclusion for people with disabilities. TASH is a coalition partner of The Arc and shares overlapping education, employment, and community-inclusion advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• Special Olympics International: Global nonprofit providing sports training and athletic competition for people with intellectual disabilities. While focused on sports rather than advocacy, Special Olympics shares The Arc's IDD mission and competes for similar corporate sponsors and donor mindshare.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheArcUS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@thearc_us
• Facebookfacebook.com/thearcus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-arc_2
• Instagraminstagram.com/thearc_us

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about The Arc