AbleLight
AbleLight is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1904 that provides residential, employment, day program, and retail services for people with developmental disabilities across 11 U.S. states, serving 750+ individuals through Medicaid-funded programs, donations, and thrift shop revenue.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1904
- HeadquartersWatertown, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What AbleLight does
AbleLight is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1904 and headquartered in Watertown, Wisconsin, that delivers life-changing services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across 11 U.S. states. The organization operates a coordinated service portfolio spanning Congregate Living (4–6 person group homes with 24/7 Direct Support Professional coverage), Shared Living (host-home arrangements with independent contractor providers), Supported Living Services (in-home independent living support), Employment Supports (job placement and coaching), Day Programs (community-based skill building), AbleLight Thrift Shops (retail operations across 7 states employing people with disabilities), Representative Payee Services (financial management), and the recently acquired Aloha 2 Go retail/workshop model. AbleLight supports 750+ individuals, delivers 3.8 million direct-support hours annually, and operates in 75+ communities.
The business model is a hybrid of government program funding and mission-driven commercial revenue. Program services are primarily reimbursed through Medicaid and state developmental disability waivers, supplemented by individual donations, corporate giving, planned giving, memorial and tribute gifts, peer-to-peer fundraising, and a Leadership Giving Society with $1,000+ annual contributions. Thrift shop operations across Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin generate retail revenue, with at least 25% of thrift employees being people with developmental disabilities. Customer acquisition occurs through community outreach, healthcare and social service referrals, advocacy partnerships including ANCOR, and an explicit acquisition program ('Grow With Us') targeting mission-aligned IDD providers, exemplified by the February 2026 acquisition of Ohana Supportive Services in Mesa County, Colorado.
The organization rebranded from Bethesda to AbleLight in 2022 to better reflect mission and values, and is led by President & CEO Keith Jones. Leadership includes Area Vice Presidents for regional operations, a Chief Advancement Officer overseeing fundraising, and a HIPAA Privacy Officer overseeing compliance. The organization holds HIPAA compliance certification and California DDS regulatory compliance and is engaged with Ziegler as a nonprofit financing partner.
AbleLight firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AbleLight
- Legal name
- AbleLight
- Website
- https://ablelight.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1904
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- AbleLight is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1904 that provides residential, employment, day program, and retail services for people with developmental disabilities across 11 U.S. states, serving 750+ individuals through Medicaid-funded programs, donations, and thrift shop revenue.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AbleLight industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Developmental Disability Services
- NAICS
- Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ)
Keywords
Where AbleLight is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Watertown
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices9 records
Markets served
AbleLight business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: AbleLight generates revenue through individual donations, corporate giving, planned giving, memorial gifts, tribute gifts, and peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns. The organization operates a Leadership Giving Society with contributions of $1,000+ annually and monthly LightKeeper donors.
- Thrift Shop Operations: AbleLight operates thrift shops in multiple states (Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin) that generate revenue supporting disability services. At least 25% of thrift shop employees are people with developmental disabilities.
- Government Program Funding (Medicaid): Services are primarily funded through Medicaid and other government programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, including residential services, employment supports, and day programs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
AbleLight product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AbleLight is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides residential, employment, day, and community-based support services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Its core offerings include Congregate Living (24/7 group home care), Shared Living (host home families), Supported Living Services (independent living assistance), Employment Supports (job placement and coaching), and Day Programs (community skill-building). The organization also operates retail thrift stores across multiple states that double as integrated employment sites for people with disabilities.
Product overview
AbleLight is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing life-changing services for people with developmental disabilities. The organization operates a coordinated portfolio of residential, employment, and community support services. Its core offerings include Congregate Living (group homes and ICFs with 24/7 support), Shared Living (host homes connecting individuals with caring families), Supported Living Services (independent living assistance), Employment Supports (job placement and coaching), Day Programs (community-based skill building), and AbleLight Thrift Shops (retail operations employing people with disabilities). The organization also provides Representative Payee Services for financial management. Recent expansion includes the acquisition of Aloha 2 Go, a retail and workshop model. Services are delivered across 11 states including California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Congregate Living Group homes and Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) offering 24/7 support from trained Direct Support Professionals, serving typically 4-6 people per home. Designed for individuals with developmental disabilities requiring continuous residential support.
- Shared Living Also known as Host Homes or Life Sharing, this service connects people with developmental disabilities to caring families who open their homes, offering personalized support in a family-based setting. Host Home providers serve as independent contractors.
- Supported Living Services (SLS) Tailored support helping individuals with developmental disabilities live independently in their own homes or apartments, with assistance for daily living skills, community connection, and goal-setting.
- Employment Supports Job placement, resume writing, interview prep, job coaching, and ongoing support to help individuals with developmental disabilities find and maintain meaningful employment. Currently delivered in California and Colorado.
- Day Programs Community-based day programs offering skill development, cultural and educational programming, exercise, recreation, volunteering, and social activities tailored to individual goals. Available in Colorado and Kansas locations.
- AbleLight Thrift Shops Mission-driven thrift shops providing affordable shopping while supporting individuals with developmental disabilities through integrated employment. At least 25% of employees are people with developmental disabilities. Retail locations span 7 states including 7+ locations in Wisconsin.
- Aloha 2 Go Innovative retail and workshop operation offering employment opportunities for people with disabilities, acquired through the Ohana Supportive Services acquisition and operating in Mesa County, Colorado.
- Representative Payee Services Financial management services receiving and allocating benefits on behalf of individuals to cover essential expenses like housing, food, and medical care.
Companies that use AbleLight
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
AbleLight technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AbleLight partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Ohana Supportive ServicescoreAbleLight acquired Ohana Supportive Services to expand specialized support for individuals with developmental disabilities throughout Mesa County, Colorado. The acquisition includes Aloha 2 Go, an innovative retail and workshop operation offering employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Founder Kehau Martinez remains involved to ensure continuity of care.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AbleLight competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Help at Home: Provider of in-home personal care and supportive services predominantly to Medicaid-eligible individuals, including those with developmental disabilities — comparable Medicaid-dependent, labor-intensive care model.
- Dungarvin: National nonprofit-affiliated provider of residential, supported living, and employment supports for people with developmental disabilities, operating across many U.S. states with a similar service portfolio as AbleLight.
- Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network): One of the largest U.S. providers of home- and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including residential, supported living, and day programs across many states — directly comparable to AbleLight's core continuum.
- BrightSpring Health Services: Public diversified provider of home- and community-based services for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs, with significant Medicaid reimbursement exposure — comparable business model and payer mix to AbleLight.
- Benchmark Human Services: Nonprofit provider of residential, behavioral, day, and employment services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities — closely mirrors AbleLight's mix of residential and community-based offerings.
Others
- Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit network providing employment supports, training, and social enterprises for people with disabilities and other barriers — comparable mission in disability employment and social-enterprise retail (similar to AbleLight Thrift Shops).
Broad incumbents
- The Arc: National federation advocating for and providing services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including residential and employment supports — broader advocacy mandate, comparable direct-service mission.
- Easterseals: Large national affiliate network providing disability services including residential, employment, and community programs across most U.S. states — broader brand and scope but overlapping IDD service lines.
Regional players
- Penn-Mar Human Services: Mid-Atlantic nonprofit providing residential, employment, and day services to people with developmental disabilities — comparable service model but primarily regional rather than multi-state like AbleLight.
- LifeStream Services: Indiana-based nonprofit serving individuals with developmental disabilities through residential, day, and employment programs — similar service portfolio but state-level geographic concentration rather than AbleLight's 11-state reach.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
AbleLight social profiles
Digital presenceAbleLight compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
AbleLight financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AbleLight leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
AbleLight subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
AbleLight funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AbleLight M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AbleLight
What does AbleLight do?
AbleLight is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides residential, employment, day, and community-based support services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Its core offerings include Congregate Living (24/7 group home care), Shared Living (host home families), Supported Living Services (independent living assistance), Employment Supports (job placement and coaching), and Day Programs (community skill-building). The organization also operates retail thrift stores across multiple states that double as integrated employment sites for people with disabilities.
Is AbleLight a public or private company?
AbleLight is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was AbleLight founded?
AbleLight was founded in 1904. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is AbleLight based?
AbleLight is headquartered in Watertown, United States, in the North America region.
How does AbleLight make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are thrift Shop Operations and government Program Funding (Medicaid).
Who are AbleLight's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Help at Home, Dungarvin, Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network), BrightSpring Health Services and Benchmark Human Services. Goodwill Industries International is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are The Arc and Easterseals. Regional players are Penn-Mar Human Services and LifeStream Services.
Does AbleLight have an API?
No public API is recorded for AbleLight.
What industry is AbleLight in?
AbleLight's product category is Developmental Disability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech). Its NAICS code is 623210 and its SIC code is 8300.