Venture Community Services
Venture Community Services is a Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, transportation, and clinical support services to individuals with developmental disabilities and autism across 30+ communities, operating 70+ programs and employing 1,000+ staff post-Life-Skills merger.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersSturbridge, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Venture Community Services does
Venture Community Services is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1973 and incorporated in 1975, headquartered in Sturbridge, MA, that provides person-centered support services to individuals with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, brain injury, blindness, genetic syndromes, and mental illness. The organization operates an integrated portfolio of eight core service lines: Community Residences (44 group homes housing approximately 200 individuals across five Massachusetts counties), Community Day Programs (five locations serving roughly 135 people daily with adaptive yoga, music therapy, art, horticulture, and social skills), Supported Employment (job placement and coaching at employer partners including Stop & Shop, Amazon, McDonald's, Walmart, Market Basket, Instacart, and Polar Park), Individual Supports, Shared Living, Transportation (50+ vehicles serving 300+ individuals daily), the Autism & CBDS Program (including the Venture Advancement Center with the Pathful virtual job training platform), and Training & Education (including certified Medication Administration Program documentation products).
The underlying operating model is heavily labor-intensive clinical and behavioral support rather than software- or technology-centric; core technology assets are assistive equipment (wheelchairs, communication devices, lifts, adaptive utensils) and CARF-accredited clinical protocols rather than proprietary software platforms. Revenue is generated primarily through per-participant MassHealth (Medicaid) Home and Community-Based Services waiver authorizations and state developmental disability services contracts, with secondary income from charitable donations, fundraising events (Sip & Support wine/beer tasting, annual Charity Golf Classic), and limited sales of MAP training materials ($60/book). The organization employs over 1,000 staff across more than 70 programs in over 30 Massachusetts communities following the July 2024 merger with Life-Skills, Inc., with a workforce sourced from 38 countries.
The combined entity is led by President & CEO Mike Hyland (appointed 2014, 2025 Worcester Business Journal Power 100 honoree) and an executive team including CFO Mary Bellezza, Chief Program Officer Pam Sampson, and CHRO/IT officer Damien Pittola. Venture is governed by an independent Board of Directors (expanded post-merger with three former Life-Skills directors), is CARF International accredited for Community Integration across all three primary Day Programs, and holds MAP training approval from the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services and Department of Mental Health. The organization participates in the Central Community Health Partnership (CCHP) joint venture for MassHealth care coordination, and its competitive position rests on regulatory licensure, multi-decade state agency relationships, a distributed residential and day-program footprint, and a credentialed direct-care workforce.
Venture Community Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Venture Community Services
- Legal name
- Venture Community Services
- Website
- https://venturecs.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Venture Community Services is a Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, transportation, and clinical support services to individuals with developmental disabilities and autism across 30+ communities, operating 70+ programs and employing 1,000+ staff post-Life-Skills merger.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Venture Community Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Support Services
- NAICS
- Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI), Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)
Keywords
Where Venture Community Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sturbridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Venture Community Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Funded Services: Primary revenue from Medicaid/MassHealth Home and Community-Based Services waivers, state developmental disability services funding, and government contracts for residential, day, and employment support programs.
- Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and community fundraising events including golf tournaments and wine/beer tastings.
- Training Materials Sales: Sale of controlled medication documentation books and training materials to other organizations. Books are $60 each.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time | Sip & Support Fundraiser Tickets |
| Other | One time | Golf Tournament Registration |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Controlled Medication Books |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Venture Community Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Venture Community Services delivers a continuum of community-based human services for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, brain injury, blindness, genetic syndromes, and mental illness across Massachusetts. Its portfolio includes community residences (44 group homes), community day habilitation programs, supported employment placements, individual supports, shared living, transportation, and the Venture Advancement Center for young adults with autism. Services are funded primarily through Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth) Home and Community-Based Services waivers and state developmental disability contracts.
Product overview
Venture Community Services offers a unified suite of human services for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, brain injury, blindness, genetic syndromes, and mental illness. The portfolio consists of eight core service programs: Community Residences (housing for ~200 individuals across 44 group homes), Community Day Programs (5 locations serving ~135 people daily), Supported Employment, Individual Supports, Shared Living, Transportation (50+ vehicles serving 300+ daily), the Autism & CBDS Program including the Venture Advancement Center for young adults with ASD, and Training & Education including a controlled medication documentation product. Services operate across over 30 communities in Massachusetts with over 1,000 employees supporting individuals through more than 70 programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Venture Advancement Center: Transitional program for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that focuses on training, education and social skills required to find meaningful employment.
Products and services
- Community Residences Community-based residential support providing housing for nearly 200 individuals with developmental disabilities across 44 group homes in Massachusetts, with staff teaching daily living skills including personal care, medication management, meal preparation, budgeting, and community access.
- Community Day Programs Day habilitation programs operating in five locations (Dudley, Fitchburg, Gardner, Greenfield, Sturbridge, Uxbridge) serving approximately 135 people daily with adaptive yoga, music therapy, dance movement, cooking, computer skills, social skills groups, art, horticulture, and YMCA memberships.
- Supported Employment
Companies that use Venture Community Services
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Venture Community Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Venture Community Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Prime Building Inc.minorConstruction partner for new Dudley Community Day Program, built the welcoming, functional space that serves individuals with disabilities
- Group 7 DesignminorDesign partner for Dudley Community Day Program, created thoughtfully designed environment meeting needs of individuals served
- Brush It Off Art & Pottery StudiominorCommunity event partner hosting inclusive Paint Night events for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers
- Central Community Health Partnership (CCHP)coreFormed in 2017 with Open Sky Community Services, LUK, Inc., Center for Living & Working, Elder Services of Worcester Area and AdCare. CCHP is part of a statewide system helping MassHealth members with care coordination services.
- African Bridge NetworkminorPartnership with African Bridge Network and Simmons University for comprehensive research study: Pathways to Leadership Among Foreign-Born and Native-Born Human Services Workers: Equity and Inclusion
- Ted's Package StoreminorAnnual partnership for Sip & Support fundraiser event, providing wines, craft beers, and seltzers for the charity event in Charlton & Webster
- Brave Yoga for AllminorAdaptive Yoga program providing yoga classes for individuals with disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Hoyt FoundationminorGrant funder for adaptive yoga and mindfulness virtual classes led by certified yoga instructor Lisa Irvine
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves13 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Venture Community Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Kennedy-Donovan Center: Massachusetts-based non-profit providing residential, day, and clinical services for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism. Directly comparable service portfolio, geography, and customer segment; multiple Venture executives previously worked at KDC.
- Open Sky Community Services: Massachusetts non-profit providing residential, behavioral health, and community-based services for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health needs. Co-partner in Central Community Health Partnership (CCHP) with Venture.
- ServiceNet: Western Massachusetts-based human services non-profit offering residential, day, and employment supports for people with developmental disabilities and brain injuries. Similar service mix, geographic overlap in western MA, and comparable Medicaid-funded operating model.
- May Institute: Massachusetts-based non-profit providing residential, day, educational, and clinical services for children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities. Comparable continuum-of-care model and target population across MA.
- Riverside Industries: Massachusetts non-profit providing day programs, employment services, and community supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. Direct overlap in supported employment and day habilitation segments within overlapping geography.
- The Arc of Massachusetts: Massachusetts chapter of The Arc, providing advocacy and direct services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable mission, population served, and Massachusetts focus.
- Life-Skills, Inc. Pre-merger Webster, MA-based IDD provider that merged into Venture on July 1, 2024. Effectively the closest historical peer given the merger; previously operated overlapping residential, day, and employment programs in the same Massachusetts geography.
- Alternatives Unlimited: Massachusetts non-profit offering residential, employment, and day supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and brain injuries. Venture's Chief Program Officer previously served as Director of Program Development for Community Based Day and Employment Supports at Alternatives Unlimited.
Broad incumbents
- Bay Cove Human Services: Large Boston-area non-profit providing developmental services, mental health, addiction, and homeless services. Broader service portfolio than Venture but significant overlap in IDD residential and day supports in Massachusetts.
Regional players
- LUK, Inc. Central Massachusetts non-profit providing mental health, trauma, and developmental disability services. Co-partner in CCHP with Venture; comparable in scale and geographic footprint but broader mental health focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Venture Community Services social profiles
Digital presenceVenture Community Services compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Venture Community Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Venture Community Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Venture Community Services subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Venture Community Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Venture Community Services 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 Venture Community Services
What does Venture Community Services do?
Venture Community Services delivers a continuum of community-based human services for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, brain injury, blindness, genetic syndromes, and mental illness across Massachusetts. Its portfolio includes community residences (44 group homes), community day habilitation programs, supported employment placements, individual supports, shared living, transportation, and the Venture Advancement Center for young adults with autism. Services are funded primarily through Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth) Home and Community-Based Services waivers and state developmental disability contracts.
Is Venture Community Services a public or private company?
Venture Community Services is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Venture Community Services founded?
Venture Community Services was founded in 1973. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Venture Community Services based?
Venture Community Services is headquartered in Sturbridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Venture Community Services make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Funded Services are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising and training Materials Sales.
Who are Venture Community Services's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Kennedy-Donovan Center, Open Sky Community Services, ServiceNet, May Institute, Riverside Industries, The Arc of Massachusetts, Life-Skills, Inc. and Alternatives Unlimited. Bay Cove Human Services is listed as a broad incumbent. LUK, Inc. is listed as a regional player.
Does Venture Community Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Venture Community Services.
What industry is Venture Community Services in?
Venture Community Services's product category is Disability Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLADABAJ, Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult), with a secondary code of BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support. Its NAICS code is 62321 and its SIC code is 8300.