Down Syndrome Association of Maryland

What Down Syndrome Association of Maryland does

The Down Syndrome Association of Maryland (DSAmd) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 (as the Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group, rebranded in 2022) that provides resources, advocacy, and community programming for individuals with Down syndrome and their families across Maryland. Its core programming spans the lifecycle from birth through adulthood, including the First Call program for newly-diagnosed families, the proprietary Improvaneer Method for self-advocacy and communication skills, the Unboxed Fight Club boxing fitness program, a Speech Therapy Program, and the annual Step Up for Down Syndrome walk-a-thon in Baltimore and Salisbury. Technology is limited to standard operational SaaS — Zoom for virtual programs, Qgiv for donations and event registration, Printful for print-on-demand merchandise, and Canva for design materials — with no proprietary technology platform or AI/ML components. The organization delivers services across 10+ Maryland counties and virtually, served approximately 303 unique individuals in Q1 2026 and reached over 2,700 program registrations in 2025.

Name

Down Syndrome Association of Maryland

Legal name

Down Syndrome Association of Maryland

Website

https://dsamd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DSAmd is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 that delivers advocacy, education, social programs, and direct therapeutic services to individuals with Down syndrome and their families across Maryland through in-person and virtual programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Individual and Family Services (6241), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAKANAM

Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Transition Services (Post-Secondary, Employment & Independent Living)

SECONDARYEDACAFAL

Assistive Technology & AAC for Young Children

Education/Early Childhood Education/Early Intervention & Developmental Services (0–5)

SECONDARYEDAJAKAF

Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Special Education Services

Keywords

• Disability advocacy services
• Down syndrome support
• Community health programs
• Inclusive education training
• Nonprofit family services

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual donors, monthly giving programs ($21/month suggested), and end-of-year fundraising campaigns. The organization emphasizes that donations enable continuity of programs and community support.
2. Program Fees and Suggested Donations: Fees and costs for programming are suggested donations that help DSAmd continue to exist and fulfill its mission. Q1 2026 estimated income of $48,000 ($16,000/month in grants, donations, and suggested donations for programming).
3. Sponsorships: Corporate and organization sponsorships for programs and events including the walk-a-thon and specific initiatives like the boxing program.
4. Merchandise Sales: Shop DSAmd sells branded merchandise including clothing, accessories, mugs, calendars through Printful print-on-demand service. All profits support DSAmd programming.
5. Third-Party Fundraisers: Partnership fundraisers such as Bitty & Beaus coffee (40% of proceeds) and shop fundraisers through Mabels Labels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Down Syndrome Association of Maryland (DSAmd) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers community programs, advocacy, and direct support services for individuals with Down syndrome and their families across Maryland. Core offerings include the Improvaneer Method improvisation program, Down to Box/Unboxed Fight Club boxing fitness, First Call new-diagnosis support, speech therapy, cardio dance, parent/self-advocate support groups, professional development training, individualized resource guidance, and the annual Step Up for Down Syndrome walk-a-thon.

Product overview

The Down Syndrome Association of Maryland operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering a portfolio of community programs rather than a unified tech product. Core programs include the Improvaneer Method (improv-based skill building), Down to Box/Unboxed Fight Club (boxing fitness), Speech Therapy Program, First Call Program (new diagnosis support), and advocacy initiatives. The organization delivers virtual programs via Zoom and hosts the annual Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk in Baltimore and Salisbury. DSAmd also operates a merchandise shop powered by Printful, offering branded apparel and accessories with proceeds supporting programming. Professional Development services train educators and healthcare providers on inclusion practices. The portfolio spans connection to resources, community building, and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome across Maryland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Improvaneer Method

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of participants report receiving value from DSAmd programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Integration4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ethan Saylor AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 January 2026DSAmd's Executive Director Amanda Mummert was appointed by the governor to the Ethan Saylor Alliance Steering Committee. The Alliance develops training standards for law enforcement on interacting with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. DSAmd actively participates in policy development and advocacy for safer, more inclusive community policing.
• Fello (formerly The Arc Chesapeake Region)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to bring improvisation into spaces serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Maryland. DSAmd's Improv for Workplace program complements Fello's person-centered Workforce Development program, focusing on employment exploration, resume support, interview preparation, and job coaching.
• Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition (MDAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSAmd provides significant staff time, funds, and self-advocate incentives to MDAC's activities. DSAmd sits on the steering committee, donates materials and staff time, and provides money for supplies. MDAC is a statewide alliance of self-advocates, families, and allies working for self-determined lives.
• Bitty & Beaus CoffeeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoffee fundraiser where Bitty & Beaus donates 40% of proceeds from sales through DSAmd's fundraising page to support programming for individuals with Down syndrome in Maryland.
• Pathfinders for AutismminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership within the Ethan Saylor Alliance context to offer training that includes people with I/DD in law enforcement education programs.
• Unboxed Boxing and FitnesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Unboxed in Timonium, Baltimore County for the 'Unboxed Fight Club' boxing program. Free for participants (sponsored by DSAmd), serving individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual/developmental disabilities. DSAmd subsidizes and coordinates boxing classes in two counties.
• Maryland Developmental Disabilities CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on amplifying information regarding DDA budget cuts and advocacy for the developmental disabilities community in Maryland.
• Alzheimer's AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSAmd participates in a statewide Alzheimer's Coalition and is involved in shaping legislation related to diagnostic tools for Alzheimer's disease, ensuring tools are appropriate for individuals with Down syndrome.
• Howard County Library Central BranchminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost venue for The Improvaneer Method sessions, providing space for DSAmd programming in Howard County.
• Kennedy Krieger InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Clay Smith from Kennedy Krieger Institute Down Syndrome clinic serves on DSAmd's Board of Directors. Kennedy Krieger provides interdisciplinary and comprehensive evaluations and treatment services from birth to adulthood.
• Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program (MITP)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStatewide early intervention system that supports families and young children (birth through age three) with developmental delays or disabilities. DSAmd provides information sessions and resources in partnership with MITP.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS): Largest US national Down syndrome advocacy and membership organization. Comparable as it serves the same beneficiary population with advocacy, programs, and walk-a-thons, but operates nationally with significantly greater resources and brand reach than DSAmd's Maryland-only footprint.
• National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC): National Down syndrome organization providing education, advocacy, and an annual convention. Directly comparable mission (Down syndrome family support, education, advocacy) but operates at national scale versus DSAmd's state-level scope.
• Global Down Syndrome Foundation: Major Down syndrome research and advocacy organization. Comparable focus area (Down syndrome medical care, research, advocacy, family support) but with a strong research-fundraising orientation rather than DSAmd's community-program delivery model.
• The Arc: National organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Comparable because The Arc Chesapeake Region (Fello) is already a DSAmd partner; both provide advocacy, employment support, and family services, but The Arc covers all IDD while DSAmd is DS-specific.

Direct peers

• Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN): National organization improving the diagnosis experience for new parents. Directly comparable because DSAmd already partners with DSDN; both provide new-diagnosis support and family mentoring networks, though DSDN focuses exclusively on the diagnostic moment while DSAmd spans the full lifecycle.
• GiGi's Playhouse: National network of Down syndrome achievement centers offering free educational, therapeutic, and career development programs. Closest direct peer in model—brick-and-mortar free programming, volunteer-driven, donation-funded—directly competing for donors and families in any overlapping geographies.

Regional players

• Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC): State-level Down syndrome association serving Massachusetts. Highly comparable operating model—programs, advocacy, walk events, family support—but in a different geography with no direct overlap with DSAmd's Maryland footprint.
• Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta: Regional Down syndrome association delivering programs, advocacy, and family support in the Atlanta metro area. Mirrors DSAmd's state-level model and is a useful peer for benchmarking program mix, fundraising tactics, and growth.
• The Arc Maryland: Maryland state chapter of The Arc providing advocacy and services for people with IDD. Operates in the same geography as DSAmd, competing for state funding and family mindshare on DDA advocacy issues.
• Pathfinders for Autism: Maryland-based nonprofit serving individuals with autism and their families. Comparable as a regional disability-services nonprofit, and an actual DSAmd partner (via Ethan Saylor Alliance) — competes for similar donor pools and professional-training contracts in Maryland.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DSAMaryland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dsamaryland
• Instagraminstagram.com/dsamaryland

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Down Syndrome Association of Maryland