National Children's Center

What National Children's Center does

National Children's Center, Inc. (NCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1958 (originally as the Jewish Foundation for Retarded Children, renamed in 1970) and incorporated in the District of Columbia. It is one of the largest non-governmental providers of services to infants, children, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) — including cerebral palsy, autism, and Down's syndrome — in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Service delivery is organized across four pillars: the Early Learning and Early Intervention Center (ELC) for children ages 8 weeks to 5 years, Clinical Therapy Services (assistive technology, neuromuscular re-education, sensory integration, etc.), Community Day Services (Day Habilitation, Individualized Day Services, Employment Readiness, and Supported Employment using person-centered thinking), and Residential Support Services (community-based homes and apartments for independent living). NCC also operates the Baby Bloomers Urban Farm & Fruit Orchard (founded 2017, Ward 8) addressing food insecurity, and runs an annual STEAM Summer Camp.

NCC is a service-based organization with no proprietary technology platform. Programs are delivered on-site at facilities in Silver Spring, MD and Washington, DC using evidence-based curricula such as Creative Curriculum, delivered by a multidisciplinary staff (teachers, counselors, psychologists, therapists, social workers, nurses). Revenue is generated through four streams: (1) government contracts and Medicaid-funded programs for IDD services (primary), (2) individual and workplace donations (United Way #8993, Benevity, YourCause, etc.), (3) fundraising events including the annual Gala and Golf Tournament (the 6th Annual in 2025 raised ~$80,000 for the Assistive and Enabling Technology Fund), and (4) foundation grants (e.g., Bainum Family Foundation). GTM is community-led, with referrals flowing through schools, healthcare providers, ANCOR, advocacy organizations, and DC OSSE programs such as Strong Start DC Early Intervention. Operating geographies are limited to the DC metro area; the organization holds the 2025 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, Certified PeopleFirst status (first U.S. organization), and is the first DC member of NADSP.

Name

National Children's Center

Legal name

National Children's Center, Inc.

Website

https://nccinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

National Children's Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1958 serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Washington DC metropolitan area through early learning, clinical therapy, residential support, day habilitation, and employment-readiness programs funded by government contracts and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Social Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Child Care Services (62441), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Inclusive / Special-Needs Childcare Centers (EDACAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Early Childhood Development (ECD) & Pre-Primary Education (BPADAKAB)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Early childhood education
• Residential support services
• Community day habilitation
• Vocational training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts and Medicaid: NCC receives funding through government contracts, likely including Medicaid waivers and DC government programs, to provide services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This represents the primary revenue source for operational sustainability.
2. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations, workplace giving programs, and donor-advised fund contributions support NCC's mission. The organization participates in United Way (#8993), Benevity, YourCause, NPOConnect, Cybergrants, and DAF Direct.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual events including the 65th Gala and Golf Tournaments generate revenue. The 6th Annual Golf Tournament in 2025 raised nearly $80,000 for the assistive and enabling technology fund.
4. Foundation Grants: Support from foundations including Bainum Foundation and other corporate partners provides funding for specific programs and initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

National Children's Center (NCC) provides inclusive early childhood education, clinical therapy, residential support, day habilitation, employment readiness, and vocational training services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Programs span infancy through adulthood and include the Early Learning Center, Community Day Services, Residential Support, and the Baby Bloomers Urban Farm. Funding flows primarily from government contracts (Medicaid/DC government), donations, foundation grants, and annual fundraising events.

Product overview

National Children's Center (NCC) is a nonprofit organization that operates as a service provider rather than a technology product company. NCC's service portfolio centers on the Early Learning and Early Intervention Center (ELC) for early childhood education (ages 0-5), Clinical Therapy Services, STEAM Summer Camp, Residential Support Services, Community Day Services (including Individualized Day Services, Day Habilitation, and Employment Readiness programs), Baby Bloomers Urban Farm & Fruit Orchard, and an Assistive and Enabling Technology Fund. These services work together to provide comprehensive support for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, from early intervention through residential and employment services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Baby Bloomers Urban Farm & Fruit Orchard: Urban farm and fruit orchard founded in 2017 to provide access to healthy food options and nutrition education to children and families in wards 7 and 8 of Washington DC.
• Early Learning and Early Intervention Center (ELC)
• Community Day Services

Products and services

• Early Learning and Early Intervention Center (ELC)

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves hundreds of children and adults daily with personalized services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 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, supporting and flagship.

• FRESHFARMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2024FRESHFARM partners with NCC to enhance food and garden education curriculum at the Early Learning and Early Intervention Center in Southeast DC. FRESHFARM operates in 21 DC Public Schools serving 7,600 pre-K to 5th grade students. Through the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), the ELC becomes one of FRESHFARM's Healthy Tots sites, providing monthly family engagement activities and staff education on local food preparation and nutrition.
• Howard UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Howard University for medical professionals to learn and give back to the community. NCC serves as fertile ground for medical professionals to gain experience in special education and disabilities services.
• George Washington UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership providing learning opportunities for medical professionals and supporting NCC's role as a training ground for special education and disabilities services.
• First Tee-Greater Washington, DCsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Tee provided trainers and coaches for NCC's first Adaptive Golf Clinic, leading adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in an hour-long clinic with specialized equipment such as hand grips and lighter golf clubs.
• BBAR Farms' C.R.I.S.P MarketssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for cooking classes and food preparation demonstrations hosted by Chef Nelson at the ELC. Classes include hands-on preparation, cooking, and taste testing for attendees.
• 11th Street Bridge ParksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting Baby Bloomers' initiatives in Ward 7 and 8, contributing to food security and nutrition education efforts.
• City BlossomssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization committed to preventing obesity and increasing overall health conditions for children in Washington, D.C.
• DC GreenssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Baby Bloomers network committed to improving health outcomes through food education and access.
• Heritage Investors Management CorporationflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting & Hole-in-One Sponsor of NCC's 6th Annual Golf Tournament. Major supporter of NCC's fundraising initiatives.
• HUB InternationalsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLunch Sponsor for the 6th Annual Golf Tournament.
• Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic RegionflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner65th Anniversary Gala honoree and supporter of NCC's mission. Kaiser Permanente sponsored the WTOP article featuring NCC CEO Terrance King on workplace culture.
• NGENflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner65th Anniversary Gala honoree supporting NCC's mission and services.
• ANCORcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCC is a proud member of ANCOR, the leading organization in Washington, DC spearheading policy changes that support community-based organizations focused on inclusive services and access for people with diverse abilities.
• Wolf TrapsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting arts and community programming.
• Sesame Street in CommunitiessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing educational resources and content for early childhood development.
• Art-streamsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting art programs and community inclusion.
• Art-enablessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting art programs for individuals with disabilities.
• Strong Start DC Early Intervention ProgramsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner program through DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education supporting early intervention services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Arc of the United States: National nonprofit organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Directly comparable mission, advocacy, and direct-service orientation.
• Merakey: Nonprofit human services provider operating across multiple states offering IDD, behavioral health, and autism services. Comparable mission and service mix including day programs, residential supports, and employment services.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit network providing disability services including early childhood education, therapy, and adult services. Highly comparable as a mission-aligned 501(c)(3) serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan.
• Melwood: DC-area nonprofit providing employment, recreation, and residential supports for people with disabilities. Closely comparable geography, mission, and adult-focused IDD service mix including supported employment.
• BrightSpring Health Services: Large for-profit provider of home and community-based health services, including IDD services, with extensive Medicaid HCBS exposure. Comparable service lines (residential, day, employment supports) but at national scale and with PE/equity capital.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Large nonprofit operating residential, day, and educational programs for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral health needs. Comparable lifespan service model and nonprofit funding structure.
• Sevita Health: National provider of home and community-based specialty health services, including IDD services under the former Mentor Network brand. Comparable in serving adults with IDD through residential, day, and employment programs.
• Jewish Foundation for Group Homes: DC-area nonprofit providing residential and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Closely comparable origin story (DC-area, faith-rooted, IDD residential focus) and service model.

Broad incumbents

• Volunteers of America National Services: Large national nonprofit with a broad human services portfolio including IDD programs, senior services, and housing. Comparable as a large multi-service nonprofit, though NCC is more focused on IDD specifically.

Others

• ANCOR (American Network of Community Options and Resources): National trade association representing IDD service providers; NCC is a member. Not a direct competitor but a key ecosystem/enabling organization through which NCC accesses policy advocacy and industry resources.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ncc_inc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0JX-_WfKxKuCWca8eNX21g
• Facebookfacebook.com/NationalChildrensCenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/nccinc_org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 National Children's Center