Communitas
Communitas is a Massachusetts non-profit founded in 1960 that provides family-centered residential, day, and career services for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism, funded primarily through state agency contracts with 400+ staff.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1960
- HeadquartersWakefield, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Communitas does
Communitas is a Wakefield, Massachusetts-based non-profit organization founded in 1960 that delivers individualized, family-centered services for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism across their lifespan. The organization operates four core service lines: Family Support Services (including Parent Support Groups, DDS-funded case management, MassHealth Adult Family/Foster Care, and DCF Support and Stabilization); Residential Services (24-hour Community Homes in Wakefield, Reading, Melrose, Saugus, and Lynn, plus Independent Living Supports apartments); Day Service Programs (Life Choices, The Lighthouse Group, Voyage, Journey, and The Upward Program for autism without intellectual disability at Wakefield, Woburn, and Beverly locations); and Career Services including Individual Support, Community-Based Day Support, and a Group Employment Program with 23+ employer partners. Service delivery is workforce-intensive, supported by 400+ employees using a positive behavioral support methodology and person-centered planning approach.
The organization's revenue model is a mix of government-funded purchase-of-service contracts (Massachusetts DDS, MassHealth, DCF) and charitable donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and foundations. Marketing and customer acquisition rely almost exclusively on referral pipelines from state agencies, family word-of-mouth, and community-based outreach rather than commercial sales motions. The company carries CARF accreditation, Massachusetts DDS licensing, ARC affiliation, and GuideStar Platinum Transparency Seal. There is no disclosed proprietary technology, software product, or AI/ML capability; the technology stack is not detailed and the offering is fundamentally a labor-based human services platform rather than a technology-enabled product. The entity is privately held as a 501(c)-style non-profit with no disclosed parent company, subsidiaries, or institutional investors.
Communitas firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Communitas
- Legal name
- Communitas
- Website
- https://communitasma.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1960
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Communitas is a Massachusetts non-profit founded in 1960 that provides family-centered residential, day, and career services for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism, funded primarily through state agency contracts with 400+ staff.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Communitas industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Support Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Individual and Family Services (6241)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Respite Care for Adults with Disabilities / Special Needs (HSABAGAI)
Keywords
Where Communitas is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wakefield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Communitas business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: Charitable donations from individuals, sponsors, and foundations to support mission operations
- Government Funded Services: DDS Funded Services including Case Management, Flexible Funding, Intensive Flexible Family Supports (IFFS), DESE/DDS Program; MassHealth funded Adult Family/Foster Care program; DCF Support and Stabilization Services
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Communitas product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Communitas is a non-profit organization providing individualized, family-centered services for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism across their lifespan. Core offerings include Family Support Services, Residential Services (24-hour Community Homes and Independent Living Supports), Day Service Programs (Life Choices, The Lighthouse Group, Voyage, Journey, and The Upward Program), and Career Services (Individual Support, Community-Based Day Support, and Group Employment). Services are delivered at multiple Massachusetts locations and funded through Massachusetts DDS, MassHealth, DCF, and charitable donations.
Product overview
Communitas is a non-profit organization providing individualized, family-centered services for people with disabilities across their lifespan. The organization operates a multi-service platform with four core service lines: Family Support Services (including Parent Support Groups, DDS-funded services, Adult Family/Foster Care, and DCF Support), Residential Services (featuring 24-hour Community Homes and Independent Living Supports Program), Day Service Programs (encompassing Life Choices, The Lighthouse Group, Autism Programs including Voyage, Journey, and The Upward Program), and Career Services (including Individual Support, Community-Based Day Support, Integrated Groups, and Group Employment). Services are delivered at multiple locations in Massachusetts (Wakefield, Woburn, Beverly, Reading, Melrose, Saugus, Lynn, North Reading) with recreational programs complementing the core offerings. The organization is CARF-accredited and licensed by Massachusetts DDS.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Upward Program: A specialized day service program for adults with autism without an intellectual disability, focusing on social skills, self-advocacy, daily living skills, and creative expressions. Offered at Woburn and Beverly locations.
Products and services
- Family Support Services Individualized, family-centered services providing information, advocacy, in-home support coordination, and networking opportunities for families supporting members with developmental disabilities across their lifespan.
- Residential Services Community living options including 24-hour supervised group homes and Independent Living Supports program, helping adults with disabilities achieve independence while maintaining community connections.
- Day Service Programs Day program services supporting adults with developmental disabilities and Autism in Wakefield, Woburn, and Beverly locations, promoting life skills through classroom and community-based activities using a positive behavioral approach.
- Career Services Vocational support including job opportunities, volunteering, internships, and exploration of vocational options, with partnerships with community businesses for Group Supported Employment.
- The Upward Program Specialized day service for adults with autism without intellectual disability, offered in Woburn and Beverly locations, focusing on social skills, self-advocacy, daily living skills, and creative expression with a person-centered communal approach.
- Recreation Programs Recreational activities and programs for individuals with disabilities providing opportunities for community engagement, social interaction, and leisure activities.
- Family Resource Center Resource center providing information, guidance, and support materials for families of individuals with disabilities.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 60 years of service delivery experience
Companies that use Communitas
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Communitas technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Communitas partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
26 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Dog Watch Inc.minorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Strega RestaurantminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Eagle Air Freight CompanyminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Mayo ClinicminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- CintasminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Corning Life SciencesminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- CutisPharmaminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Bear Hill Golf ClubminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Boys & Girls ClubminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Stop & ShopminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- YMCAminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Market BasketminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- TargetminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- The Cummings CenterminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Blaze PizzaminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Ixtapa Mexican Grill & CantinaminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Longhorn SteakhouseminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Ninety Nine Restaurant & PubminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- 110 GrillminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Winchester HospitalminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Lahey ClinicminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- PrimarkminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Colarusso's BakeryminorGroup Employment partner providing work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities served by Communitas Career Services
- Massachusetts DDScoreMassachusetts Department of Developmental Services - primary government referral and funding partner for services to individuals with developmental disabilities
- MassHealthcoreMassHealth - government healthcare program funder for Adult Family/Foster Care services
- DCFcoreMassachusetts Department of Children and Families - provides closed referral services for families with a parent or child with an intellectual or developmental disability
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Communitas competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Arc: National federation advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Communitas is affiliated with The Arc, and both deliver family support, residential, and advocacy services, though The Arc operates at a national scale across hundreds of chapters.
- Easterseals: Large national nonprofit providing disability and autism services, including day programs, residential supports, and employment services. Directly comparable to Communitas on service lines, but operates across many states with significantly larger scale and fundraising reach.
Direct peers
- May Institute: Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing educational, residential, day, and employment services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities across the lifespan. Strongly comparable organizational model, clinical approach, and lifespan coverage.
- Northeast Arc: Massachusetts-based Arc chapter providing residential, employment, day, and family support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Directly comparable in mission, services, and regional operating model to Communitas.
- Vinfen: Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing community-based services for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and brain injuries. Shares the same Massachusetts service geography and similar residential, day, and family support programs as Communitas.
- Ability Beyond: Nonprofit providing residential, vocational, day, and behavioral health services for individuals with disabilities, primarily in the Northeast. Comparable service mix and lifespan focus, though operating across Connecticut and New York rather than Massachusetts.
- Bridgewell: Massachusetts-based nonprofit offering residential, day, employment, and behavioral health services for individuals with developmental disabilities and other challenges. Highly comparable in operating geography, payer mix, and program design.
- Riverside Community Care: Massachusetts-based human services nonprofit offering residential, day, behavioral health, and family supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. Highly comparable in geography, payer mix (MassHealth, DDS), and service modalities.
- Cardinal Cushing Centers: Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing residential, day, educational, and vocational programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable in mission, lifespan coverage, and faith-rooted community-based model.
Regional players
- Justice Resource Institute (JRI): Massachusetts-based human services organization providing residential, educational, and clinical services for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, and mental health needs. Operates in the same state but with a broader clinical and educational portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Communitas social profiles
Digital presenceCommunitas compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Communitas financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Communitas leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Communitas funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Communitas 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 Communitas
What does Communitas do?
Communitas is a non-profit organization providing individualized, family-centered services for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism across their lifespan. Core offerings include Family Support Services, Residential Services (24-hour Community Homes and Independent Living Supports), Day Service Programs (Life Choices, The Lighthouse Group, Voyage, Journey, and The Upward Program), and Career Services (Individual Support, Community-Based Day Support, and Group Employment). Services are delivered at multiple Massachusetts locations and funded through Massachusetts DDS, MassHealth, DCF, and charitable donations.
Is Communitas a public or private company?
Communitas is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Communitas founded?
Communitas was founded in 1960. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Communitas based?
Communitas is headquartered in Wakefield, United States, in the North America region.
How does Communitas make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are government Funded Services.
Who are Communitas's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Arc and Easterseals. Direct peers are May Institute, Northeast Arc, Vinfen, Ability Beyond, Bridgewell, Riverside Community Care and Cardinal Cushing Centers. Justice Resource Institute (JRI) is listed as a regional player.
Does Communitas have an API?
No public API is recorded for Communitas.
What industry is Communitas in?
Communitas's product category is Disability Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of HSABAGAI, Respite Care for Adults with Disabilities / Special Needs. Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8300.