The Center for Discovery
The Center for Discovery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 1,500-acre campus in Harris, NY that provides integrated residential, educational, medical, and clinical services to approximately 1,700 children and adults annually with complex disabilities, autism, and medical frailties, organized around its proprietary SynergE6 Healthspan Model and supported by a Research Institute for Brain & Body Health.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersHarris, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Center for Discovery does
The Center for Discovery (TCFD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1948, headquartered on a 1,500-acre campus in Harris, Sullivan County, New York, where it is the largest employer. It delivers integrated residential, educational, medical, clinical, nutritional, and therapeutic services to more than 1,700 children and adults annually who have complex disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and medical frailties. Service architecture includes a Children's Specialty Hospital with a Lab School, pediatric day and residential schools, an adult program, a Discovery Health Center, 52 residences, a Department of Nourishment Arts anchored by an organic/biodynamic Thanksgiving Farm, and the Research Institute for Brain & Body Health with six integrated laboratories and a federally-approved Institutional Review Board. Technology components include behavior imaging with biometric sensors and computer vision in the Lab School, proprietary assistive devices (FlexTable®, indieGo®/Right to Move™, Glove Donner, Communication Device Stabilizer), and digital health informatics used to develop individual algorithms and paths of care for precision medicine.
Underlying the operations is the proprietary SynergE6 Healthspan Model, a six-domain framework covering energy regulation/physical activity, stress/behavior/cognition, neuroimaging, nutrition/farming/pharmacology, environmental studies/assistive technology, and data analytics/digital health. Approximately 1,800 staff — including physicians, clinicians, behavior analysts, farmers, chefs, teachers, and therapists — operate the integrated model, and TCFD is designated a Center of Excellence by the NY State Department of Health and OPWDD. Research partnerships span NYU, Northwell Health, Emory, Baylor/Texas Children's, Cornell, Rensselaer, Columbia, University at Buffalo, NYU Langone, UNC Chapel Hill, and University of Colorado.
Revenue is sourced from New York State OPWDD and other government funding, federal grants (including $35M secured by Senator Schumer for the Children's Specialty Hospital), state capital grants ($10M for Transitional Living Community, $25M for health clinic expansion), foundation grants (Mother Cabrini Health Foundation), corporate and individual donations, annual fundraising events (Evening of Discovery Gala raising over $2M per event), OPWDD/Medicaid service reimbursements, and training/consultation contracts with school districts and providers. A $100M endowment campaign is in progress. The go-to-market combines direct service delivery on the residential campus with an emerging external distribution channel through the Resource Hub, Training & Consultation Services, assistive technology productization, and a Northwell Health clinical affiliation.
The Center for Discovery firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Center for Discovery
- Legal name
- The Center for Discovery, Inc.
- Website
- https://thecenterfordiscovery.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- The Center for Discovery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 1,500-acre campus in Harris, NY that provides integrated residential, educational, medical, and clinical services to approximately 1,700 children and adults annually with complex disabilities, autism, and medical frailties, organized around its proprietary SynergE6 Healthspan Model and supported by a Research Institute for Brain & Body Health.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Center for Discovery industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Disability and Autism Healthcare Services
- NAICS
- Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pediatric Rehabilitation & Developmental Therapy Centers (PT/OT/SLP) (HLAFAJAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ), Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI)
Keywords
Where The Center for Discovery is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Harris
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
The Center for Discovery business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: The Center raises critical funds through annual events like the Evening of Discovery Gala, annual appeals, endowment campaigns, and special events. The 2019 gala raised more than $2 million, the 2022 An Evening for the Endowment raised over $1 million, and the 2024 gala raised over $2 million.
- Government Funding: The organization receives government funding through OPWDD (Office for People with Developmental Disabilities) for services provided to individuals with developmental disabilities. They also received $10 million capital grant from NY State for Transitional Living Community.
- Service Fees: Revenue from providing services including residential programs, education, healthcare, and clinical services to children and adults with complex disabilities.
- Training and Consultation Services: Revenue from providing professional development services to school districts and organizations, including customized in-classroom coaching, trainings, and continuing education units.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
The Center for Discovery product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Center for Discovery is a nonprofit organization providing residential, educational, medical/clinical, therapeutic, and research services for children and adults with complex disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and medical frailties. Its service portfolio is organized around the proprietary SynergE6 Healthspan Model, which integrates six domains (energy regulation, behavior/cognition, neuroimaging, nutrition, assistive technology, and digital health) and operates across a 1,500-acre campus featuring a Children's Specialty Hospital, Pediatric and Adult day/residential programs, the Department of Nourishment Arts (Thanksgiving Farm), an Integrated Arts program, and a Research Institute with six laboratories.
Product overview
The Center for Discovery is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive, integrated portfolio of healthcare, educational, residential, and therapeutic services for individuals with complex disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and medical frailties. The organization operates a multi-level service architecture centered on its SynergE6 Healthspan Model, which unifies six essential domains: Energy Regulation and Physical Activity, Stress/Behavior/Cognition, Neuroimaging, Nutrition/Farming/Pharmacology, Environmental Studies/Assistive Technology, and Data Analytics/Digital Health. Key service lines include a Children's Specialty Hospital with sophisticated Lab School technology (behavior imaging, biometric sensors, computer vision), Medical & Clinical Services (Discovery Health Center, psychology, behavior supports), assistive technology products (FlexTable®, indieGo®/Right to Move™), Pediatric Programs (day school, residential, transition services), Adult Programs, a Transitional Living Community for aging adults with disabilities, and Training & Consultation Services. The organization maintains a Research Institute for Brain & Body Health with six integrated laboratories, publishes therapeutic resources and books, and operates specialized facilities including the American Portfolios Assistive Technology Lab at THINC and the Department of Nourishment Arts with Thanksgiving Farm. With over 1,800 employees serving more than 1,700 children and adults annually across its 1,500-acre campus in Harris, NY, TCFD represents one of the most comprehensive disability care models in the United States.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SynergE6 Healthspan Model: The organization's holistic, person-centered care model bringing together six essential elements that foster healing, resilience, and long-term wellness for individuals with complex conditions.
- Children's Specialty Hospital
- Research Institute for Brain & Body Health
- Thanksgiving Farm
- DaVinci Master Chefs
- Seed to Belly
- Food is Medicine
- Discovery Health Center
- Transitional Living Community
- FlexTable
- indieGo / Right to Move
- ENerGym
- Thanksgiving Society
Products and services
- Children's Specialty Hospital A specialized hospital transforming the standard of care for children with autism and other complex conditions, featuring a world-renowned Lab School with sophisticated behavior imaging technology, biometric sensors, and computer vision technology for children with autism and complex medical conditions.
- Pediatric Programs Comprehensive programs for children including Day School, Residential School Program, and Transition Services for children with complex disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.
- Adult Program Programs and services for adults with complex conditions, disabilities, and medical needs, including residential services for 350 children and adults in 52 different residences on TCFD's farms and on Main Street in Hurleyville, NY.
- Transitional Living Community A first-of-its-kind skilled nursing demonstration project designed to support aging adults with complex disabilities and medical needs, providing small, highly supportive medical care neighborhoods aimed at reducing frequency and duration of acute hospitalizations and preventing discharges to traditional nursing facilities.
- Medical & Clinical Services Comprehensive medical and clinical services including the Discovery Health Center, Clinical Services, Food Exploration & Discovery, Animal Assisted Intervention & Education, Psychology & Behavior, and Assistive Technology & Innovation for individuals with complex disabilities.
- SynergE6 Healthspan Model A comprehensive whole-person health model bringing together six essential elements (Energy Regulation and Physical Activity, Stress/Behavior/Cognition, Neuroimaging, Nutrition/Farming/Pharmacology, Environmental Studies/Assistive Technology, Data Analytics/Digital Health) that foster healing, resilience, and long-term wellness for individuals with complex conditions.
- Training & Consultation Services Expert-level, specialized instruction and training on best practices for complex conditions including autism. Offers virtual trainings, in-person coaching, and customizable trainings for school districts and personnel; TCFD is an IACET Approved Provider offering CEUs for professional development.
- Research Institute for Brain & Body Health An integrated research environment bringing together physicians, research scientists, data analytic scientists, clinicians, and academic colleagues to conduct pioneering studies related to brain and body health, including six integrated laboratories, governed by a federally-approved IRB.
- Department of Nourishment Arts (DNA) A comprehensive food, farming and nourishment program including Thanksgiving Farm, Seed to Belly, Food is Medicine, and DaVinci Master Chefs initiative, involving residents in every stage of food production from planting seeds to preparing meals.
- Integrated Arts Program Therapeutic arts programs including Recreation, Music Therapy & Dramatic Arts, Therapeutic Dance, and Therapeutic Horticulture, designed to unlock hidden potential and enable individuals to engage fully in community and professional activities.
- Discovery Health Center A health center providing medical services and dental care for individuals with complex disabilities, including partnerships with NYU College of Dentistry for specialized dental services.
- FlexTable® An assistive technology product designed to support individuals with complex disabilities in various activities, developed by TCFD's Innovation Team.
- indieGo®/Right to Move™ An assistive technology product designed to support mobility and movement for individuals with complex disabilities, developed by TCFD.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 93% of residents received COVID-19 vaccine with 95% immunity achieved
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Center for Discovery
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Center for Discovery technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature10 records
The Center for Discovery partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NYU College of DentistrycoreCollaboration to provide compassionate dental care to children and adults with disabilities. NYU College of Dentistry brings specialized dental services to TCFD, with support from Governor Hochul's $25 million investment for health clinic expansion statewide.
- Emory University - Gari Clifford LabcoreResearch partnership focused on mHealth informatics, sleep analysis using off-body sensors, and AI models to predict ASD-related high-risk behaviors. Dr. Gari Clifford leads the collaboration with expertise in biomedical informatics from MIT and Oxford.
- Baylor College of Medicine / Texas Children's HospitalcoreMajor research partnerships focused on microbiome-gut-brain axis in autism. Dr. Ruth Ann Luna leads the largest pediatric autism microbiome study in the country, and Dr. Tor Savidge studies microbial-neuroimmune interactions.
- Cornell UniversitycoreDr. Nancy Wells conducts research on beneficial effects of nature on human health and functioning, focusing on how time in natural environments may affect individuals with autism and severe disability.
- Rensselaer Polytechnic InstitutecoreDr. Juergen Hahn leads exploratory analysis of TCFD data to better understand and improve patient outcomes, focusing on biomarker identification for autism spectrum disorder.
- Columbia UniversitycoreDr. Kara Gross Margolis, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Gastroenterologist, leads research on GI issues and gut microbiome abnormalities in complex conditions.
- University at BuffalocoreMultiple collaborations including Dr. Jeffrey Lombardo on patient safety research and Dr. Gene Morse on clinical pharmacology and translational research. Dr. Morse co-founded Buffalo Jamaica Innovation Enterprise.
- NYU Langone / Comprehensive Epilepsy CentercoreDr. Orrin Devinsky directs the center with research interests in autism, tuberous sclerosis, and translational therapies for epilepsy.
- University of North Carolina Chapel HillminorDr. Rune Simeonsson provides expertise on developmental and psychological characteristics of children with chronic conditions and disabilities.
- University of Colorado School of MedicineminorDr. Terry Katz involved in Autism Treatment Network and co-founded sleep clinic for children with autism.
- Mount SinaiminorDr. George Todd, Professor of Surgery, serves on TCFD's Board of Directors and has long-standing commitment to improving lives of those affected by autism.
- Northwell HealthcoreNorthwell announced affiliation with The Center for Discovery to expand healthcare services for people with developmental disabilities.
- Windham Mountain ClubminorAdaptive Sports Center at Windham Mountain Club partners with TCFD for annual ski outings, providing recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
- Catskill Animal Rescue, Inc.minorSource of facility dog Homer for TCFD's Animal Assisted Intervention and Education program.
- Makers Making Change (MMC)minorTCFD is a chapter of this international organization promoting inclusivity and accessibility through open-source assistive technology.
- IAHAIOminorInternational Society for Animal-Assisted Intervention. TCFD's Animal Assisted Intervention and Education program was admitted as a new member after Sarah Merrick presented at the annual meeting.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Center for Discovery competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Center for Discovery social profiles
Digital presenceThe Center for Discovery compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
The Center for Discovery financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Center for Discovery leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
The Center for Discovery funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Center for Discovery M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Center for Discovery
What does The Center for Discovery do?
The Center for Discovery is a nonprofit organization providing residential, educational, medical/clinical, therapeutic, and research services for children and adults with complex disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and medical frailties. Its service portfolio is organized around the proprietary SynergE6 Healthspan Model, which integrates six domains (energy regulation, behavior/cognition, neuroimaging, nutrition, assistive technology, and digital health) and operates across a 1,500-acre campus featuring a Children's Specialty Hospital, Pediatric and Adult day/residential programs, the Department of Nourishment Arts (Thanksgiving Farm), an Integrated Arts program, and a Research Institute with six laboratories.
Is The Center for Discovery a public or private company?
The Center for Discovery is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Center for Discovery founded?
The Center for Discovery was founded in 1980. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is The Center for Discovery based?
The Center for Discovery is headquartered in Harris, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Center for Discovery make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are government Funding, service Fees and training and Consultation Services.
Does The Center for Discovery have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Center for Discovery.
What industry is The Center for Discovery in?
The Center for Discovery's product category is Specialty Disability and Autism Healthcare Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFAJAL, Pediatric Rehabilitation & Developmental Therapy Centers (PT/OT/SLP), with a secondary code of HLADABAJ, Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult). Its NAICS code is 62321 and its SIC code is 8050.