Little Friends

What Little Friends does

Little Friends, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Illinois-registered nonprofit human-services agency founded in 1965 and headquartered in Warrenville, IL. It delivers a coordinated lifespan continuum of programs for children, adults, and families affected by autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), social-emotional challenges, and (since 2025) physical disabilities. Children's programs include Krejci Academy and Mansion High School (ISBE-accredited therapeutic day schools serving students ages 5–21 from 50+ Illinois school districts), the Little Friends Center for Autism (coordinated ABA, Speech, and Occupational Therapy plus in-home toilet training), the Wellness Center (counseling and groups), Family Respite Services, and a Children's Group Home. Adult programs span Community Day Services (Spectrum Vocational Services), Employment Services (including the Ken's Krew/Home Depot partnership and the Skills Work Manufacturing Camp), Inklude Studio (art and online retail), the FUN Club social program, and 40 residential properties. Family-facing services include the Family Support Network and Family Care Team intake function, supplemented by the Serendipity Resale Shop in Aurora.

Revenue is generated through a diversified, government-anchored funding stack: Illinois DHS Division of Developmental Disabilities Medicaid waivers fund residential and community day services; Illinois public school district tuition funds out-of-district educational placements; commercial insurance (BCBS PPO, United Healthcare PPO) covers 90–95% of ABA/Speech/OT therapy on average; self-pay covers social skills groups ($275 / 6-week session), parent training ($100 / 4-week session), and Wellness Center services; and donations plus resale-shop proceeds cover free Family Respite and other donor-funded programs. The agency employs approximately 400 staff, served 2,500+ individuals in its most recent reporting period, and operates across nine Illinois counties. Under President & CEO Mike Briggs (since March 2017), annual revenues grew from $13M to more than $30M.

Little Friends' go-to-market is referral-driven and partnership-mediated rather than sales-led in a traditional SaaS sense. Distribution flows through placing school districts, Illinois DHS-DDD and DRS case managers, insurance networks (BCBS PPO, United PPO), the Ken's Krew/Home Depot employment channel, the Family Care Team intake function, Northwestern Medicine's sponsorship of the Wellness Center, and earned media/PR (including the April 2026 Nimoy Knight Foundation award). The organization holds CQL Quality Assurance Accreditation, ISBE accreditation for Krejci Academy and Mansion High School, a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, and a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency — a regulatory and reputational stack that constitutes its primary competitive moat. A 2025 merger with the Illinois Independent Living Center added adult physical-disability housing and the DHS-DRS Homemaker Program, while the Foundations Therapeutic Program at the Center for Autism is scheduled to launch in Fall 2026.

Name

Little Friends

Legal name

Little Friends, Inc.

Website

https://littlefriendsinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Little Friends, Inc. is an Illinois-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1965 that delivers a coordinated lifespan continuum of educational, therapeutic, residential, vocational, and family-support services to 2,500+ children, adults, and families affected by autism, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and physical disabilities across nine Illinois counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Warrenville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Medicaid Waiver and Government Funding: Residential and Community Day Services are funded through the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Medicaid Waiver for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). Individuals must qualify for Medicaid and register on the PUNS waiting list.
2. Individual Donations and Fundraising: Donations, planned giving (bequests, appreciated securities, retirement plan donations, donor-advised funds, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts), and matching gifts. 90 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs and services.
3. Insurance-Funded Therapy Services: ABA, Speech, and Occupational Therapy at Little Friends Center for Autism are billed to Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and United Healthcare PPO. Illinois requires commercial insurance plans to cover ABA therapy; insurance covers on average 90–95% of total ABA expenses. Patient responsibility paid by credit card, cash, or check. Medicaid is not accepted for therapeutic services.
4. School District Tuition and Funding: Educational Services at Krejci Academy and Mansion High School are funded by placing school districts. Students must be placed by their home school district, which determines that a learning environment or services necessary cannot be provided locally and seeks out-of-district placement per Illinois State Board of Education guidelines.
5. Retail — Inklude Art Studio Online Store: E-commerce sales of original artwork, ceramics, jewelry, accessories, and home goods created by Inklude Studio artists with autism and other developmental disabilities. Items priced $20–$150. Free pickup at the Warrenville campus.
6. Retail — Serendipity Resale Shop: Resale shop in Aurora Marketplace Shopping Center (Route 59 and 75th Street) selling donated clothing, household items, jewelry, and collectibles. Open Monday–Saturday 10am–5pm. Operated entirely by volunteers for more than 50 years.
7. Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Employment Funding: Supported Employment services funded by the Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). To enroll, individuals contact their local DRS office.
8. Self-Pay Counseling and Group Programs: Wellness Center counseling (also billable to Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, United Healthcare PPO, or waiver funding); Social Skills groups priced at $275 per six-week session (not covered by insurance); Parent Training groups priced at $100 per four-week session (not covered by insurance).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Little Friends is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides therapeutic, educational, residential, and community-based services for individuals with autism, intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. Service lines include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and related therapies, ISBE-accredited special education schools, CILA residential homes, supported employment and vocational programs, in-home services, respite care, community day services, and an auxiliary retail operation.

Product overview

Little Friends, Inc. is not a single SaaS product but a multi-faceted, Illinois-based nonprofit human services agency (founded 1965; 501(c)(3)) delivering a coordinated portfolio of programs across the lifespan of individuals with autism, intellectual, developmental, emotional, and physical disabilities, and their families. Its portfolio is structured as a platform of service modules organized around three populations — Children, Adults, and Families — with a central administrative campus in Warrenville, IL. Children's programs include Krejci Academy, Mansion High School, Little Friends Center for Autism (LFCA) with its new Foundations Therapeutic Program launching Fall 2026, the Little Friends Wellness Center (counseling), Family Respite Services, and the Children's Group Home. Adult programs include Community Day Services (Spectrum Vocational Services), Employment Services (including the Skills Work Manufacturing Camp and the Ken's Krew partnership with Home Depot), Inklude Studio (and its Online Store), and the FUN Club social program. Residential Services span both adults and children and were expanded through the 2025 merger with the Illinois Independent Living Center (IILC) to include adults with physical disabilities. Family-facing programs include the Family Support Network and the Family Care Team. Auxiliary revenue and community programs include the Serendipity Resale Shop (Aurora), fundraising events such as the 49th Annual Benefit Auction and golf outings, and the FY 2025 Year in Review report. The organization employs 400 staff, served 2,500 individuals in FY 2025, and reported more than $30 million in annual revenues under President & CEO Mike Briggs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Krejci Academy: A comprehensive educational program within Little Friends serving students ages 5 to 21 with autism and other emotional, behavioral, or developmental disabilities. Fully accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education.
• Mansion High School
• Little Friends Center for Autism (LFCA)
• Inklude Studio
• Serendipity Resale Shop
• Illinois Independent Living Center (IILC)

Products and services

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy Clinical ABA therapy services for individuals with autism and related developmental disabilities, delivered as part of the organization's multidisciplinary therapy program.
• Multidisciplinary Therapy (Occupational, Physical, Speech-Language) Occupational, physical, and speech-language therapy services delivered to individuals with developmental and physical disabilities across the lifespan.
• ISBE-Accredited Special Education Schools (ISP and Therapeutic Day School) ISBE-accredited private special education schools (including an Individualized Services Program/ISP and a Therapeutic Day School) serving students with autism and developmental disabilities referred by local school districts.
• CILA Residential Services Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) residential homes providing 24-hour supported living for adults with developmental disabilities, licensed by the State of Illinois.
• Supported Employment and Vocational Services Community-based supported employment, vocational training, and job coaching programs that place adults with disabilities in integrated work settings.
• In-Home Services Home-based support services for individuals with disabilities and their families, delivered in the family's own residence across DuPage, Kane, Will, and DeKalb counties.
• Respite Care Short-term respite care services that provide temporary relief for families and caregivers of individuals with disabilities.
• Community Day Services Day programs for adults with developmental disabilities focused on community participation, life skills development, and socialization.
• Little Friends Store (Retail) Retail store operated by Little Friends that sells merchandise to the general public and channels proceeds back into the organization's disability services mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual revenues grew from $13 million to more than $30 million under CEO Mike Briggs since March 2017.
• +6 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLittle Friends is accredited by CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership, the leading international authority dedicated to the measurement and improvement of personal quality of life. CQL logo is featured in the website footer alongside a link to the accredited organizations list, and the agency has been awarded Quality Assurance Accreditation from CQL.
• Candid (formerly GuideStar)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLittle Friends holds a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (profile ID 7453792 / EIN 36-2698644), reflecting its commitment to accountability and impact. The Candid logo and link appear in the homepage footer.
• Charity NavigatorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLittle Friends holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator (EIN 362698644) and references the rating on its donation page. The Charity Navigator logo and link appear in the website footer.
• Northwestern MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthwestern Medicine is the generous sponsor of the Little Friends Wellness Center, which offers counseling services at the Warrenville campus (27545 Diehl Road, Door 3).
• DuPage Community Transportation PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA collaboration between DuPage County and DuPage Foundation that supports the Little Friends Wellness Center, helping provide access to mental and behavioral health services.
• Ken's KrewcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounded in 1997 by parents of young adults with disabilities and supported by Home Depot, Ken's Krew has created competitive in-store employment opportunities for over 900 young adults. Little Friends represents Ken's Krew in Chicago's western collar counties (DuPage, Will, Kane, and Kendall), offering job placement, training, and follow-along support for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities seeking employment in Customer Service positions. Little Friends vocational coordinators spend a minimum of 72 hours training each candidate one-on-one and on-site.
• The Home DepotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Home Depot has supported Ken's Krew since its inception, creating competitive in-store employment opportunities for over 900 young adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Home Depot is the primary employer partner for the Ken's Krew program that Little Friends delivers in Chicago's western collar counties.
• Premium Custom Products / ColorBurstminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLittle Friends partners with Premium Custom Products/ColorBurst to bring garments and other goods featuring one-of-a-kind original designs by Inklude Studios artists to market, creating awareness and empowerment through art.
• Illinois Independent Living Center (IILC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLittle Friends recently merged with the Illinois Independent Living Center (IILC), broadening its focus to provide comprehensive care for adults with physical challenges. IILC offers fully accessible, barrier-free residential spaces in Naperville (Katherine Manor Apartments) and provides the Homemaker Program for clients of the Illinois Department of Human Services – Division of Rehabilitation Services.
• Illinois State Treasurer's OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Illinois State Treasurer's Office announced an important expansion to the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program, which Little Friends shared with its community in March 2026. Beginning in 2026 the eligibility age threshold increases from 26 to 46, with an estimated 250,000 additional people statewide now eligible.
• Institute on Public Policy for People with DisabilitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLittle Friends is aligned with the Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities to track federal Medicaid funding developments and lobby against harmful Medicaid cuts as Congress approaches another budget vote.
• ANCOR (American Network of Community Options and Resources)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLittle Friends is aligned with ANCOR to monitor and lobby against federal Medicaid cuts that could harm individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Autism.
• Clancy & AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerA full-service law firm focused on special needs planning that presented at the Little Friends Family Support Network event on Friday, February 21, sharing information regarding tools to help protect children's futures. On-site care for attendees' children was provided at the event.
• Pace VanpoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPace Vanpool provides transportation services to and from Little Friends Community Day Services Program via leased vehicles. The vanpool service is open to the public.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Melmark: Melmark is a nonprofit provider of ABA, residential, educational, and adult services for individuals with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities across Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Maryland. Closely comparable to Little Friends' Krejci Academy / Mansion High School / Residential Services continuum, including BCBA-led clinical teams and CQL-aligned person-centered accreditation.
• Bancroft: Bancroft is a New Jersey-headquartered nonprofit providing ABA, residential, day, vocational, and educational services for people with autism, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. Directly comparable as a lifespan continuum provider with accredited schools, group homes, and employment programs, though larger and more geographically concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic.

Emerging players

• Autism Home Support Services: Autism Home Support Services is a Chicago-area provider of in-home ABA therapy for children with autism. Comparable to Little Friends Center for Autism's in-home toilet training and ABA offerings, though narrower in scope (primarily home-based therapy rather than a full lifespan continuum).

Broad incumbents

• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Devereux is one of the largest U.S. nonprofit behavioral health organizations serving individuals with autism, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and emotional/behavioral challenges through residential, educational, and community programs. Comparable breadth of services to Little Friends, though operating nationally with significantly larger scale.
• Easterseals: Easterseals is a national 501(c)(3) disability services network offering autism therapy, vocational services, residential support, and camps across the lifespan. Comparable to Little Friends as a multi-state, lifespan-focused nonprofit human services platform, though operating at much greater scale and geographic breadth.

Regional players

• Maryville Academy: Maryville Academy is an Illinois nonprofit providing residential, educational, and clinical services for at-risk children and those with developmental disabilities. Comparable in Illinois residential/special-education footprint, though more weighted toward child welfare than autism-specific services.
• Keshet: Keshet is a Chicago-area nonprofit providing educational, residential, vocational, and summer programming for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. Highly comparable to Little Friends' Illinois lifespan continuum and operates in overlapping geography (nine-county Chicago region).
• Aspire (Illinois): Aspire is an Illinois-based nonprofit providing services for children and adults with developmental disabilities, including autism, including residential, day, vocational, and therapy services. Comparable to Little Friends as an Illinois lifespan disability services provider competing for the same DHS-DDD Medicaid Waiver funding and school district placements.
• Have Dreams: Have Dreams is a Park Ridge, Illinois-based nonprofit serving individuals with autism through vocational, residential, recreational, and family support programs. Directly comparable to Little Friends' adult autism services (Community Day Services, Employment Services, FUN Club) and competes for the same Illinois payer and donor ecosystem.

Others

• The Arc of Illinois: The Arc of Illinois is a statewide advocacy and service nonprofit for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Related rather than directly competitive with Little Friends, but operates in the same Illinois DHS-DDD funding and family-support ecosystem and serves overlapping constituents.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LittleFriendsInc
• Xx.com/LittleFriendsIL

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Little Friends