Lifespan
LIFESPAN Services is a Charlotte, North Carolina nonprofit (founded 1973) providing education, employment, and enrichment programs to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, serving more than 1,000 individuals daily across 20+ North Carolina counties through 22+ facilities including Creative Campuses, Early Learning Centers, group homes, and Alternative Family Living arrangements.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersCharlotte, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Lifespan does
LIFESPAN Services Inc. is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based nonprofit founded in 1973 (originally as St. Mark's Center, renamed to LIFESPAN, Inc. in 2000) that provides education, employment, and enrichment programs to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The organization operates three integrated divisions — Education (Early Learning Centers with 5-star rated childcare, school-age programs, special instruction, speech and occupational therapy, and trauma-informed care for children from 6 weeks to 12 years), Employment (LIFEWORKS vocational program, Medicaid Employment Services B3, Innovations Supported Employment, and Vocational Rehabilitation), and Enrichment (8 Creative Campuses for adult day programs, Mosaic art studio, residential/group living, alternative family living, peer support, and respite care). A 251-500 employee workforce supports more than 1,000 individuals daily across 22+ physical sites spanning 20+ North Carolina counties. No proprietary technology platform is described; service delivery is credential- and facility-driven, supported by CARF accreditation.
Revenue mechanics rely primarily on government funding through North Carolina Medicaid waivers (Innovations Waiver, CAP, ICF) routed via Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCOs) including Vaya Health, Alliance Health, Partners Health Management, and Sandhills Center. A secondary revenue layer consists of program fees, charitable donations, corporate sponsorships (with recognition tiers beginning at $10,000), and foundation grants from funders including Bank of America, Duke Energy, Truist, Wells Fargo Foundation, and Foundation for the Carolinas. Go-to-market is community- and referral-led rather than transactional; individuals and families are referred through school districts, healthcare providers, and MCO channels. Distribution combines direct service delivery at owned facilities with corporate partnerships and a volunteer program (including an Adopt-a-Home initiative) that drives both community engagement and fundraising.
Lifespan firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lifespan
- Legal name
- LIFESPAN Services Inc.
- Website
- https://lifespanservices.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- LIFESPAN Services is a Charlotte, North Carolina nonprofit (founded 1973) providing education, employment, and enrichment programs to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, serving more than 1,000 individuals daily across 20+ North Carolina counties through 22+ facilities including Creative Campuses, Early Learning Centers, group homes, and Alternative Family Living arrangements.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lifespan industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability and Human Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Adult Day Rehabilitation & Therapy Programs (PT/OT/SLP) (HLADAIAD), Adult Day Respite Programs (Daytime Relief) (HLADAKAC), Social Adult Day Care (Non-Medical Supervision & Activities) (HSABANAA)
Keywords
Where Lifespan is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Charlotte
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices11 records
Markets served
Lifespan business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government-Funded Services: LIFESPAN receives Medicaid funding through various waivers (Innovations Waiver, CAP, ICF) and prepaid health plans (PHPs) to provide services including residential support, employment services, and early intervention programs. Services are delivered through LME/MCOs (Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations) such as Vaya Health, Alliance, Partners, and Sandhills.
- Donations and Corporate Contributions: LIFESPAN accepts charitable donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants. Corporate partners contributing $10,000+ are recognized prominently. The organization hosts fundraising events including golf tournaments and clay shooting tournaments.
- Program Fees: Various programs including early learning centers, adult day programs, and residential services may generate fee-for-service revenue through Medicaid waivers, state funding, and private pay arrangements.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Lifespan product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LIFESPAN Services is a nonprofit organization that delivers up to 100 programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across more than 20 North Carolina counties. Its offerings span three core areas: Education (Early Learning Centers, school-age programs, speech and occupational therapy, special instruction, trauma-informed care), Employment (LIFEWORKS, Medicaid Employment Services, Vocational Rehabilitation), and Enrichment (Creative Campus Adult Day Programs, Mosaic Art Studio, residential and group living, alternative family living, respite care).
Product overview
LIFESPAN Services is a non-profit organization providing up to 100 programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across more than 20 North Carolina counties. The organization operates a unified service platform organized into three core divisions: Education Programs (including Early Learning Centers, school-age programs, special instruction, and therapy services), Employment Programs (including LIFEWORKS, Medicaid Employment Services, and Vocational Rehabilitation), and Enrichment Programs (including Creative Campuses day programs, Mosaic Art Studio, residential/group living, and respite care). The organization serves more than 1,000 individuals daily through 8 Creative Campuses, 3 inclusive childcare facilities, 9 group homes, and 13 alternative family living homes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LIFEWORKS: Employment program under the LIFESPAN Services umbrella providing vocational training and job placement services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Mosaic: A LIFESPAN Studio
- Creative Campuses
- LIFESPAN Early Learning Centers
Products and services
- Education Programs High-quality educational programs for children with developmental disabilities including 5-star rated Early Learning Centers, school-age programs, special instruction services, speech and occupational therapy, and trauma-informed care. Serves children from 6 weeks to 12 years old with intellectual and developmental disabilities and typically developing children in inclusive settings.
- Employment Programs Vocational programs for adults teaching basic job skills and providing employment opportunities, including community activities and employment transitions, LIFEWORKS, Medicaid Employment Services (B3 and Innovations Supported Employment), and Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
- Enrichment Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- 244 individuals achieved competitive employment
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Lifespan
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Lifespan technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Lifespan partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Vaya HealthcoreLME/MCO providing Medicaid managed care services in western North Carolina. Partners with LIFESPAN to provide services to individuals with I/DD.
- Alliance HealthcoreLME/MCO providing behavioral health and developmental disability services. Partners with LIFESPAN as a managed care organization.
- Partners Health ManagementcoreLME/MCO providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities in North Carolina.
- Sandhills CentercoreLME/MCO providing mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services in central North Carolina.
- NC Department of Health and Human ServicescoreState agency providing regulatory oversight, Medicaid transformation leadership, and division of child and early education services that interface with LIFESPAN.
- Central Piedmont Community CollegemajorEducational partner hosting LIFESPAN Early Learning Center at Alamance Community College campus.
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg SchoolsmajorLocal school district collaborating on educational programs and transition services for students with disabilities.
- Autism Society of North CarolinamajorAdvocacy organization providing resources and support for individuals with autism and their families, partnering on awareness and services.
- Arc of North CarolinamajorAdvocacy organization for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing resources and advocacy support.
- Special Olympics of NCminorAthletic programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities, providing recreational opportunities for LIFESPAN clients.
- Down Syndrome AssociationminorSupport organization for families affected by Down syndrome, providing resources and community connection.
- Second Harvest Food BankminorFood security organization providing resources to LIFESPAN group homes and programs.
- Amity Presbyterian ChurchminorChurch community providing volunteer support and engagement for LIFESPAN programs.
- Arts and Science CouncilminorCultural organization supporting arts programming including Mosaic Studio art experiences.
- Bechtler Museum of Modern ArtminorMuseum providing art enrichment experiences for LIFESPAN artists.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lifespan competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Arc of North Carolina: Statewide advocacy and direct-service organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in North Carolina. Closely comparable to LIFESPAN as both deliver I/DD services and family supports across NC and frequently co-advocate on Medicaid waiver policy.
- RHA Health Services: North Carolina-headquartered provider of I/DD, behavioral health, and substance use services operating residential, day, and community-based programs. Directly comparable as a NC I/DD provider serving multiple LME/MCOs and Medicaid waiver populations.
- Autism Society of North Carolina: Statewide nonprofit providing autism-specific services, advocacy, and resource navigation across NC. Comparable because it overlaps LIFESPAN's I/DD mission, serves overlapping populations, and partners with many of the same LME/MCOs.
- Easterseals PORTHealth: North Carolina-based Easterseals affiliate providing I/DD, behavioral health, and child-development services. Comparable as a NC nonprofit human-services organization delivering Medicaid-funded I/DD supports overlapping LIFESPAN's counties.
- UCP of North Carolina (United Cerebral Palsy): State affiliate providing services for individuals with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities across NC. Comparable as a NC I/DD services nonprofit delivering residential, day, and therapy supports similar to LIFESPAN's mix.
Broad incumbents
- Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network): Large national operator of home- and community-based I/DD, behavioral health, and aging services. Comparable as a scaled, multi-state I/DD provider offering residential, day, and employment supports similar to LIFESPAN's service mix.
- BrightSpring Health Services: Publicly traded, diversified home and community-based services provider serving I/DD, behavioral health, and pharmacy populations. Comparable because it competes for HCBS waiver referrals and delivers I/DD residential/day programs similar to LIFESPAN.
- Dungarvin: National provider of residential, day, and employment supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable as a multi-state I/DD services operator with a similar group-home and community-based delivery model.
- Volunteers of America National Services: National nonprofit operating I/DD, behavioral health, and senior services including affordable housing and group homes. Comparable because it operates Medicaid-funded residential and community programs for I/DD populations across multiple states.
Emerging players
- Bayada Home Health Care: Large home-health and human-services provider with growing I/DD and pediatric services. Comparable because it delivers Medicaid-funded personal-care and therapy services in NC homes and communities that overlap with LIFESPAN's therapy and respite offerings.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lifespan social profiles
Digital presenceLifespan compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Lifespan financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lifespan leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Lifespan funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lifespan 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 Lifespan
What does Lifespan do?
LIFESPAN Services is a nonprofit organization that delivers up to 100 programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across more than 20 North Carolina counties. Its offerings span three core areas: Education (Early Learning Centers, school-age programs, speech and occupational therapy, special instruction, trauma-informed care), Employment (LIFEWORKS, Medicaid Employment Services, Vocational Rehabilitation), and Enrichment (Creative Campus Adult Day Programs, Mosaic Art Studio, residential and group living, alternative family living, respite care).
Is Lifespan a public or private company?
Lifespan is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Lifespan founded?
Lifespan was founded in 1973. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Lifespan based?
Lifespan is headquartered in Charlotte, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lifespan make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government-Funded Services are the primary driver. The others are donations and Corporate Contributions and program Fees.
Who are Lifespan's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Arc of North Carolina, RHA Health Services, Autism Society of North Carolina, Easterseals PORTHealth and UCP of North Carolina (United Cerebral Palsy). Broad incumbents are Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network), BrightSpring Health Services, Dungarvin and Volunteers of America National Services. Bayada Home Health Care is listed as an emerging player.
Does Lifespan have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lifespan.
What industry is Lifespan in?
Lifespan's product category is Disability and Human Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLADAIAI, Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors), with a secondary code of HLADAIAD, Adult Day Rehabilitation & Therapy Programs (PT/OT/SLP). Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8300.