Able to Serve

What Able to Serve does

Able to Serve is a 501(c)(3) faith-based nonprofit headquartered in Garner, North Carolina that delivers structured daytime services to adults with developmental disabilities in Wake and Johnston Counties. Founded in 2003 by Carlton McDaniel, Jr., the organization operates a five-day-a-week Day Program (Monday-Friday, 9:00am-3:00pm) at its Buffaloe Road campus, hosted by Lord of Life Lutheran Church. As of 2026, the organization serves approximately 75 participants with a team of 12 staff members and 50+ regular volunteers. Services are organized around the proprietary Learn-Grow-Lead-Serve framework, where participants develop life skills (Learn), explore new experiences (Grow), accept responsibility as role models (Lead), and engage in community service projects (Serve). Adjacent offerings include the SKILLZ Program (specialized short-term evening classes launched in 2026 for ages 15+), a seasonal Bible Camp, a church partnership program, and a structured volunteer program.

The core curriculum is provided by N2Y, described as the nation's #1 special education solution, delivering differentiated, standards-based academic and life-skills content integrated with behavior management tools, educational games, and symbol communication. Able to Serve does not develop proprietary technology and has no AI/ML capabilities, APIs, or applications. The organization supplements its curriculum with community-based experiential learning, including church mission work, Rotary Backpack Buddies food packing, YMCA inclusion programs, and therapeutic horsemanship.

The business model is a hybrid cost-sharing structure. Families privately pay 40% of program costs on a monthly subscription cadence for the Day Program, while charitable donations cover the remaining 60%. The organization does not accept direct government payments such as the Innovations Waiver, requiring families to seek external scholarships or funding for the family portion. Additional revenue is generated through SKILLZ Program registration fees and annual fundraising events, including the Annual Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction (2024: 400+ attendees, 228 auction items, 180 bidders, exceeded fundraising goal by 104%) and Angie's BBQ Chicken Fundraiser (2026: 1,600+ meals served, 95+ volunteers). Donor streams include individuals, churches, businesses, matching gifts, stock donations, legacy/planned giving, and peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns. Go-to-market is community-led via church partnerships, word-of-mouth referrals, and a five-step enrollment process ending with a campus tour.

Name

Able to Serve

Legal name

Able to Serve

Website

https://abletoserve.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Able to Serve is a faith-based nonprofit in Garner, NC that runs a structured Day Program and SKILLZ evening classes for adults with developmental disabilities in Wake and Johnston Counties, serving 75 participants with 12 staff using the N2Y special education curriculum.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Disability Day Services

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Therapeutic Adult Day Programs (PT/OT/SLP, Cognitive Rehab) (HSABANAF)

Keywords

• Disability day services
• Adult day programs
• Special education services
• Community inclusion services
• Life skills training

Headquarters

HQ city

Garner

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Able to Serve relies on donations from individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations. The organization receives 60% of program costs from donors, with families contributing 40%. Multiple giving options include one-time gifts, recurring gifts, matching gifts, stock donations, legacy gifts, and peer-to-peer fundraising.
2. Program Fees (Private Pay): Families pay 40% of program costs through private pay. The organization does not accept direct government payments such as the Innovations Waiver, but families may explore external scholarships or funding sources. SKILLZ Program classes have separate registration fees based on length, materials, and instruction provided.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction, Angie BBQ Chicken Fundraiser, and peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns generate revenue through ticket sales, auction items, sponsorship packages, and direct donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Able to Serve delivers a structured adult day program (Monday–Friday, 9am–3pm) for adults with developmental disabilities, using its Learn-Grow-Lead-Serve model and the N2Y special education curriculum to provide individualized educational instruction, life skills development, social experiences, and community service opportunities. The organization supplements this core Day Program with the SKILLZ Program (short-term evening classes such as sewing and theater for ages 15+) and an annual Bible Camp.

Product overview

Able to Serve offers a single unified program focused on day services for adults with disabilities. The core Day Program provides structured educational instruction, social experiences, and community service projects. This is supplemented by the SKILLZ Program (short-term specialized classes like sewing and theater), seasonal Bible Camp, and various volunteer and church partnership opportunities. The organization does not operate a software platform or technology product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Day Program A structured day program for adults (18+) with developmental disabilities, operating Monday through Friday from 9:00am–3:00pm at Able to Serve's Buffaloe Road campus in Garner, NC. Provides individualized educational instruction, life skills training, social experiences, and community service projects using the Learn-Grow-Lead-Serve model and the N2Y special education curriculum. Families pay 40% of program cost; the remaining 60% is covered by charitable donations (private pay, no direct government billing such as the Innovations Waiver).
• SKILLZ Program Specialized, short-term evening classes for teens and adults (ages 15+) with intellectual and developmental disabilities, covering topics such as sewing and theater to build confidence and specific life skills. Held outside of regular Day Program hours; each class has its own registration fee based on length, materials, and instruction. Open to community members regardless of Day Program enrollment.
• Bible Camp Annual summer Bible Camp where Day Program participants engage in Bible study, recreation, crafts, music, and community service projects. Hosted in partnership with church partners at the Garner campus.

Quantifiable outcome

• Program grew from serving 34 participants with 8 staff in 2019 to 75 participants with 12 staff by 2026
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lord of Life Lutheran ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides campus space at Buffaloe Road location for Able to Serve's day program operations. Church serves as host location for the organization's primary programming, enabling community integration and shared facility use.
• Smith's Addressing Machine ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal host partner for Able to Serve's first location on Technology Drive in Garner (2007-2015). Founder Dale Smith serves on Board of Directors. Company has been a long-term supporter since the organization's early years.
• Garner United Methodist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Annual Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction event. Church provides venue for major fundraising events, enabling community gathering and donor engagement.
• Angie's RestaurantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts annual BBQ Chicken Fundraiser event. Restaurant provides venue, catering, and staff support for fundraiser that serves 1600+ meals. Angie Mikus, owner, has been supportive partner for many years.
• Rotary Club of GarnerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Rotary Club's 'Backpack Buddies' initiative for community service projects. Able to Serve participants pack bags of food for families in the community.
• Garner MidDay RotaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner represented at 2024 Annual Benefit. John Hodges from Garner MidDay Rotary spoke at the event about partnership impact.
• Poole Family YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for disability inclusion programs. Beth Porter from Poole Family YMCA spoke at 2024 Annual Benefit about collaborative impact on inclusion initiatives.
• N2Y (Special Education Curriculum Provider)coreTechnology or IntegrationCurriculum provider for specialized education content. N2Y is the nation's #1 solution for special education, providing comprehensive instructional resources, behavior management tools, and educational games.
• Five Hearts Therapeutic HorsemanshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity outreach partner providing therapeutic horse experiences. Founder Dana Cooke visited Able to Serve campus with horses for participant engagement activities including grooming and painting.
• Garner Firefighters AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner receiving meal deliveries during Angie's BBQ Chicken Fundraiser. Able to Serve participants deliver meals and engage with firefighters.
• Multiple Church Groups (14+ organizations)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChurch partners including Aversboro Road Special Blessings, Ernest Myatt Presbyterian, FBC Clayton, First Presbyterian Garner, Highland Baptist, Just Jesus Community, Lord of Life Lutheran, New Bethel Baptist, and others. Partners receive meal deliveries, provide volunteers, and serve as community ambassadors.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AbletoServe/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/AbletoServe
• Instagraminstagram.com/abletoserve
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/able-to-serve

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Able to Serve