The Center for Independent Living (CIL)

Name

The Center for Independent Living (CIL)

Legal name

The Center for Independent Living, Inc.

Website

https://thecil.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services and Advocacy

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

Keywords

• Disability advocacy services
• Independent living support
• Assistive technology access
• Peer support programs
• Residential accessibility modifications

Headquarters

HQ city

Berkeley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: CIL's primary revenue source is federal, state, and local government grants and contracts, including Department of Rehabilitation funding, Administration for Community Living (ACL) programs, and California-specific disaster preparedness funding (e.g., Listos California, DDARC/CFILC). Services are provided free of charge to eligible consumers.
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: CIL accepts financial donations from individuals and organizations. The website features a prominent donate button. Donors are added to mailing lists and receive acknowledgements, year-end tax statements, and newsletters.
3. Event Revenue: The 54th Anniversary Event generates ticket revenue at tiered price points ($40–$150), with silent auction proceeds supporting CIL programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CIL is a nonprofit organization that delivers advocacy, programs, and direct support services to people with disabilities in Northern Alameda County, California. Its offerings include assistive technology loans and repairs, travel training, housing assistance, residential accessibility modifications, emergency preparedness, youth programs, peer support, benefits counseling, and systems change advocacy. All services are provided free of charge to eligible consumers through a peer-based model in which staff with disabilities directly serve other people with disabilities.

Product overview

The Center for Independent Living (CIL) is a non-profit organization providing advocacy, programs and services for people with disabilities, operating as a first independent living center in the country. The organization offers multiple interconnected programs including: Assistive Technology (AT loaners, repairs, voice options, Whill sales, donations); Travel Training (public transit instruction, wheelchair services); Core Services (peer support, housing assistance, benefits counseling, personal attendant services); Systems Change Advocacy (policy campaigns, training); Emergency Preparedness (DDAR services, portable batteries, peer ambassador training); Residential Access (home modifications); and comprehensive Youth Programs (college support, advocacy, social club, Coastal Connections, Codestars). The organization also produces The Independent Podcast and runs the Accelerate college-to-career program. All services are delivered through a peer-based, disability-driven model in Northern Alameda County.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Assistive Technology Program Program offering AT loaners, repairs, Voice Options, Whill sales, and AT donations to help people with disabilities access and maintain assistive technology devices.
• Travel Program Program teaching individuals with disabilities to use public transportation, including group workshops, wheelchair marking, and tethering services.
• Core Services Suite of services including Information & Referral, Independent Living Peer Support, Personal Attendant Services, Housing Assistance, Benefits Counseling, Living Well Senior Program, Digital Divide, and Acquired Disability Group.
• Systems Change Advocacy Advocacy program focused on policy change, campaigns, initiatives, and advocacy training to advance disability rights at systemic levels.
• Emergency Preparedness Program providing individual emergency planning, DDAR Services & Portable Battery Program, Peer Ambassador Program, and community education for disaster readiness.
• Residential Access Program helping people modify homes with ramps, safety bars, lifts, and other modifications to enable independent living and age in place.
• Youth Programs Programs for youth including College & Vocational Support, Youth Advocacy, Youth Social Club, Coastal Connections, and Codestars.
• Diversion and Transitions Program helping individuals transition from institutions back to community living or avoid institutionalization.
• Accelerate College-to-Career Program College-to-career program helping recent and future college graduates with disabilities develop job search skills, networking, and employment rights knowledge under the ADA.
• Living Well Senior Program Weekly workshops and individual check-ins for seniors covering wellness, peer support, and community engagement.
• Peer Ambassador Program Six-month training program where people with disabilities become peer trainers in disaster preparedness and resilience education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 250 people immunized at a single COVID-19 vaccination clinic organized by CIL
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Listos California / California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIL is a Listos California partner delivering Emergency Preparedness and Resiliency programming. Through this partnership, CIL was able to purchase resources for disaster preparedness (e.g., stairway evacuation chairs) and launched the Peer Ambassador Training program, a six-month program for 10 people with disabilities focused on disaster preparedness education.
• PG&EcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIL is affiliated with the Disability Disaster Access & Resources Center (DDARC), a collaborative program co-affiliated with PG&E as part of California's Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) preparedness efforts. DDARC provides resources and training for disaster preparedness for disability communities.
• Berkeley Holiday Fund (BHF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIL has partnered with the Berkeley Holiday Fund for many years. Each October, CIL submits names of low-income Berkeley consumers who could benefit from holiday gift checks. The Berkeley Holiday Fund mails checks to recipients in December. Over the years, CIL has entered 100+ names to the Berkeley Holiday Fund, benefiting hundreds of consumers facing homelessness, health challenges, and financial hardship.
• UC BerkeleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIL's Accelerate program has partnered with UC Berkeley to provide workshops on ADA rights, disclosure, workplace accommodations, and an Employer Connections Panel. CIL also participated in a panel hosted by UC Berkeley's Disabled Students' Program and Disability Cultural Community Center.
• California State University East Bay (CSU East Bay)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIL partnered with CSU East Bay as part of the Accelerate college-to-career program, providing workshops and panels on employment rights and job search skills for students with disabilities.
• Holy Names UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIL partnered with Holy Names University as part of the Accelerate college-to-career program.
• Chabot CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIL partnered with Chabot College as part of the Accelerate college-to-career program.
• Oakland Unified School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIL was mentioned in an Oaklandside article about Oakland Unified's young adult program for students with disabilities at Santa Fe school in North Oakland, where CIL program staff participate in related programming.
• California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIL hosted a COVID-19 vaccination clinic with CalOES on February 22, immunizing over 250 people. CIL also received a 'Victims of Crime' grant from Cal OES supporting home modification work for consumers like Devon.
• Minority Youth and Centers for Independent Living (MY-CIL) Learning CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIL was accepted to participate in the 2022 MY-CIL learning collaborative, one of only nine organizations accepted nationally. The collaborative allows in-depth discussions on providing support and resources for youth with disabilities from racial and ethnically diverse populations.
• Oakland Interfaith Gospel ChoirminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir performed at CIL's 54th Anniversary Event on March 14, 2026. Founded in 1986, the internationally acclaimed choir brings together singers from diverse faiths, cultures, and backgrounds to celebrate Black gospel and spiritual music traditions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Administration for Community Living (ACL): Federal agency that funds Independent Living Centers, including CIL, via the Rehabilitation Act. Listed as a peer because ACL is the primary funder shaping CIL's program scope, eligibility rules, and reporting requirements — making it a strategic counterparty in the operating model.

Broad incumbents

• National Council on Independent Living (NCIL): National advocacy organization advancing the independent living movement and representing ILCs nationwide. Broader incumbent that influences federal policy and funding flows affecting CIL and the broader ILC network.
• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: National paralysis-focused nonprofit that funds disability advocacy and quality-of-life programs. CIL is a past grant recipient of the Reeve Foundation's Victims of Violence grant; comparable as a larger disability-focused grantmaker and program operator.

Regional players

• Center for Independent Living of Western Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania-based ILC offering the same peer-based independent living, advocacy, and disability services model as CIL, but serving a different regional geography. Comparable in mission and operational structure.
• Independence First: Milwaukee-based ILC serving southeastern Wisconsin with a similar mix of independent living services, advocacy, AT, and youth programming. Comparable in scale, mission, and nonprofit funding structure, but operating in a different geography.

Direct peers

• California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC): Statewide association representing California's network of Independent Living Centers. CIL partners with CFILC on Listos California and DDARC programs; CFILC is the institutional backbone of the ILC network CIL helped create.
• Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL): Hayward-based ILC serving Alameda County (excluding CIL's Northern Alameda territory) with similar peer-driven independent living, advocacy, AT, and youth/senior programs. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and funding model.
• Disability Rights California: California's federally funded protection and advocacy organization. Comparable as a disability-focused advocacy entity operating in California, with overlapping policy and systems change mandates.
• World Institute on Disability (WID): Berkeley-based disability-led policy and research organization rooted in the same Independent Living Movement as CIL. Comparable as a peer organization in the same geographic ecosystem with overlapping disability rights and advocacy mission.
• Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco (ILRCSF): San Francisco-based Independent Living Center providing peer support, advocacy, and independent living services to people with disabilities. Directly comparable as a peer-run ILC operating under the same federal Independent Living program model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thecilofficial
• YouTubeyoutube.com/thecilofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/thecilofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thecil
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecilofficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Center for Independent Living (CIL)