The Arc of Opportunity

What The Arc of Opportunity does

The Arc of Opportunity in North Central Massachusetts, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, that provides direct support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families across North Central Massachusetts. The organization operates five core program areas: Day Supports, Employment Supports, Recreation Supports, Family Supports, and Home Supports (residential), supplemented by vocational services including Mobile Work Crews, Staffing Services, and the Friendly Flowers delivery program. Its service portfolio spans the lifespan of individuals with conditions including intellectual disability, Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, fetal alcohol syndrome, and fragile X syndrome, delivered through residential group homes, in-home supports, community-based day programs, job coaching, and weekend recreation activities.

The organization's revenue model is anchored in government contracts with three Massachusetts state agencies: the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC), and Department of Medical Assistance (MassHealth), which fund core residential, employment, and clinical programs. Supplementary revenue streams include United Way of North Central Massachusetts funding, individual and corporate donations, an Annual Charity Auction (2026 goal of $65,000), peer-to-peer fundraising via Giveffect, program fees for Saturday Recreation activities ($50-$80 per participant), and B2B service revenue from mobile work crews and staffing placements with regional employers including Bio-Techne, Hannaford, Fosta-Tek Optics, and Chartwell Food Service.

The Arc of Opportunity traces its lineage to 1952 through predecessor organizations including ARC of North Central and the Eunice J. Matson Friends of the Retarded, unifying under its current name in February 2012. It holds continuous CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accreditation since at least 2015 and operates as part of the national Arc network of 730+ chapters. With 251-500 employees and CARF-accredited service delivery, the organization fills a gap between state-funded basic supports and the comprehensive services needed by the IDD community in its service region.

Name

The Arc of Opportunity

Legal name

The Arc of Opportunity in North Central Massachusetts, Inc.

Website

https://arcofopportunity.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Arc of Opportunity is a Massachusetts nonprofit providing residential, employment, day, recreation, and family support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across North Central Massachusetts, primarily funded by state agency contracts with DDS, MRC, and MassHealth.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Human Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI), Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ), Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Residential support programs
• Employment support services
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Community-based human services

Headquarters

HQ city

Fitchburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts: The majority of funding comes from contracts with Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Agencies including the Department of Developmental Services, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, and Department of Medical Assistance. These contracts fund core residential, employment, and day support programs.
2. Fundraising & Donations: Annual Charity Auction (2026 goal: $65,000), individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and campaign fundraising including the Mary Heafy BIPOC Leadership Development Fund. Donations support gap funding for programs beyond basic state-funded supports.
3. United Way Funding: Funding from United Way of North Central Massachusetts provides additional operational support.
4. Program Fees: Some programs include cost sharing with individuals served via program fees. Also includes commercial enterprises like Friendly Flowers delivery service.
5. Social Enterprise - Mobile Work Crews: Provides skilled workforce services to businesses including assembly, packaging, grounds keeping, janitorial, and dishwashing through mobile work crews. Revenue generated through service contracts with businesses.
6. Staffing Services: Places trained and pre-screened employees in businesses across various sectors including clerical, janitorial, food service, landscaping, and retail.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Arc of Opportunity provides direct, community-based disability support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families across North Central Massachusetts. Its core offerings span five program areas—Day Supports, Employment Supports, Recreation Supports, Family Supports, and Home Supports—supplemented by vocational enterprises including Mobile Work Crews, Staffing Services, and the Friendly Flowers Delivery Service. Services are primarily funded through Massachusetts state agency contracts and delivered in residential, in-home, community, and recreational settings.

Product overview

The Arc of Opportunity is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of disability services organized into five core program areas: Day Supports, Employment Supports, Recreation Supports, Family Supports, and Home Supports. The organization also operates vocational training and employment services including Mobile Work Crews, Staffing Services, and the Friendly Flowers Delivery Service. Programs focus on supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve independence, community integration, and personal growth through person-centered services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Friendly Flowers Delivery Service: A locally owned and operated flower delivery service coordinated by The Arc of Opportunity providing vocational training for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Products and services

• Day Supports Provides a safe, supportive, and holistic atmosphere for individuals with disabilities to achieve self-determined physical, social, and educational goals through day habilitation and community-based day services.
• Employment Supports Creates pathways for individuals with disabilities to make meaningful contributions to their community by integrating into the local workforce through job placement, job coaching, and competitive integrated employment support.
• Recreation Supports Provides safe and secure recreational experiences — from day trips to overnight adventures — for individuals with disabilities to have new experiences, make friends, and build social connection. Includes Saturday Recreation activities such as Water Country, Wingaersheek Beach, Franklin Park Zoo, and pottery/painting.
• Family Supports Provides family members of individuals with disabilities a safe, confidential, and judgement-free environment to navigate the unique aspects of supporting a loved one, including respite, support groups, advocacy training, and resource navigation.
• Home Supports Residential supports that help individuals with disabilities and their families create a home environment, providing assistance with daily living activities, medical care coordination, and independence-building — including community group homes and individualized in-home supports.
• Mobile Work Crews Groups of program participants with staff supervision working on-site at client businesses, providing assembly, packaging, grounds keeping, janitorial, dishwashing, and bulk mailing services to manufacturing, food service, retail, and government clients.
• Staffing Services Pre-screened, highly trained employee placement service providing staff to businesses across clerical, janitorial, food service, laundry, landscaping, retail, and customer service roles, with on-site job coaching.
• Friendly Flowers Delivery Service A locally owned and operated flower delivery service coordinated by The Arc of Opportunity providing vocational training for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Serves Fitchburg, Leominster, Lunenburg and surrounding areas with weekly or bi-weekly floral arrangements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,808 hours of family respite provided through after-hours and weekend recreation activities in one year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 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

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Mount Wachusett Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Silver sponsor for 2026 Annual Auction. Educational institution partner in North Central Massachusetts providing internship and field placement opportunities.
• HUB InternationalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Silver sponsor for 2026 Annual Auction. Insurance and risk management firm.
• All One Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Silver sponsor for 2026 Annual Auction. Credit union partner with staff member on board.
• Adult Day Health Center at Manor on the HillminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Bronze sponsor for 2026 Annual Auction. Board member Bijal Doshi owns and operates this adult day health center.
• Incompass Human ServicesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Bronze sponsor for 2026 Annual Auction.
• Fidelity BankminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Bronze sponsor for 2026 Annual Auction.
• Health Plans IncminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Supporter sponsor for 2026 Annual Auction.
• Economised Time Services Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Supporter sponsor for 2026 Annual Auction.
• Employers Association of the NorthEastminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Supporter sponsor for 2026 Annual Auction.
• Blue Cross Blue ShieldminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Supporter sponsor for 2026 Annual Auction.
• Wachusett Mountain Ski AreaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for 'Save, Ski & Raise' program where Wachusett Mountain donates $10 per lift ticket purchased with coupon code DON-ARC. Proceeds support Family Support and Recreation programs.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon Smile program allows shoppers to designate The Arc of Opportunity as their charity, with Amazon donating a percentage of qualifying purchases.
• Bio-TechnecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBio-Techne hosts mobile work crews for assembly work, providing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Listed as a satisfied customer.
• Chartwell Food Service at Fitchburg StatecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChartwell hosts employment supports and mobile work crews at Fitchburg State University dining services, providing vocational training opportunities.
• Fitchburg State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner hosting Chartwell dining services employment. Also partner for student internships and field placements for nursing, special education, counseling, recreation, and rehabilitation programs.
• Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional transit authority partner; listed as satisfied customer of mobile work crews.
• The Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and LeominsterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization; listed as satisfied customer of mobile work crews.
• First Financial TrustmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor for 2026 Annual Auction.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Arc of Massachusetts: State chapter of The Arc network and the parent advocacy body that The Arc of Opportunity is affiliated with; both serve individuals with IDD in Massachusetts through advocacy, family support, and provider-network coordination, making them structurally and operationally aligned.
• Seven Hills Foundation: Large Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, and clinical supports for individuals with IDD and behavioral health needs; competes for the same DDS and MassHealth contracts and serves overlapping geographies.
• May Institute: Massachusetts-headquartered multi-state nonprofit providing IDD, autism, and behavioral health services across residential, day, educational, and employment programs; directly comparable service portfolio and CARF-accredited operating model.
• Advocates, Inc. Massachusetts-based human services nonprofit offering residential, day, employment, and behavioral health supports for individuals with IDD and brain injury; overlaps with The Arc of Opportunity's home, day, and employment programs across the same payer systems.
• Incompass Human Services: Massachusetts IDD services nonprofit providing residential, day, and employment supports in similar North Central and Greater Boston regions; identified as an existing community/auction partner of The Arc of Opportunity, indicating direct local overlap.
• LifeBridge, Inc. Massachusetts-based nonprofit serving individuals with IDD through day, residential, and employment programs; comparable CARF-accredited operating model and reliance on DDS/MassHealth contracts.
• Ability Beyond: Connecticut and New York-based IDD services nonprofit with a comparable life-span continuum (residential, day, employment, behavioral health); illustrates a larger multi-state competitor that could enter Massachusetts procurements.
• Communitas, Inc. Massachusetts-based IDD services nonprofit providing residential, day, vocational, and family supports in Western and Central Massachusetts; directly comparable geographic and programmatic footprint.
• Work Inc. Greater Boston-area nonprofit providing employment, day, and residential services for individuals with disabilities; comparable focus on competitive integrated employment and B2B work crews.

Regional players

• Bay Path Educational Foundation: Massachusetts-based provider of adult education, vocational training, and employment supports for individuals with disabilities and other barriers; relevant peer on the employment/vocational side of the Arc of Opportunity's service mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheArcOpp
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/The-Arc-of-Opportunity-in-North-Central-Massachusetts/131550643583992

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 The Arc of Opportunity