What Search does

Search360 is a private, Illinois-based nonprofit organization that supports over 350 adults annually with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across the Chicagoland region. Originally founded as 'Search,' the organization rebranded to Search360 in January 2026 to reflect a whole-person, 360-degree service model organized around three pillars — Live (residential and daily living), Learn (education and skill development), and Grow (career and personal enrichment). Its service portfolio spans Community Living (CILA group homes with 24/7 support in Chicago, Skokie, Mount Prospect, and Morton Grove), Day Services, Youth Services, Clinical Services with 24/7 nursing, a Behavioral Health Clinic, Self-Directed Assistance, Career Services, the Search for Adventure accessible travel program, and social enterprises including the Planet Access retail store and Visibility Arts artist program. Underlying proprietary assets include the Glidepath Curriculum (reaching over 1,000 people daily), sensory rooms for behavioral regulation, assistive communication technology, and the digital DisabilityAware360.org training platform.

The organization's business model is primarily Medicaid-funded through Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and the DD Waiver and Home-Based Services (HBS) Waiver programs, with additional revenue from corporate Disability Awareness Training contracts, donations and fundraising (notably the annual Trailblazers gala, which generates more than 30% of annual fundraising revenue), and social enterprise transactions. Go-to-market combines state-waiver enrollment for individuals, direct employer outreach for inclusive hiring partnerships and B2B training, retail and e-commerce for social enterprise products, and advocacy-driven fundraising. The customer base is highly distributed: 350+ individual service recipients plus a diversified roster of more than 14 named enterprise partners spanning retail (Home Depot, Mariano's, Jewel-Osco, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Marshalls), hospitality (Sheraton Suites, Portillo's, Rivers Casino), arts and culture (Shedd Aquarium, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Art Institute, Chicago History Museum), beverage (Beam Suntory), and apparel (Toad&Co., Eicoff). As a nonprofit, Search360 is governed by a board, led by CEO Cory Gumm, and is not venture-backed; it relies on government reimbursement, philanthropic contributions, and earned income to sustain operations.

Name

Search

Legal name

Search360

Website

https://search-inc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2026

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Search360 is a Chicagoland nonprofit supporting over 350 adults annually with intellectual and developmental disabilities through Community Living, Day, Career, and Clinical Services, funded primarily by Illinois Medicaid waivers and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities)

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM), Disability Case Management, Retention & Student Support (EDALAGAJ)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Supported employment services
• Residential care programs
• Disability awareness training
• Community living services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Medicaid / DD Waiver Billing: Core services (Community Living, Clinical Services, Day Services, Career Services, Behavioral Health Clinic) are billed to Medicaid through Illinois' Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver, Home-Based Services (HBS) Waiver, and related programs. Services are primarily funded through government disability services funding rather than direct consumer payment.
2. Social Enterprises (Planet Access & Visibility Arts): Planet Access is a retail store operated in partnership with Toad&Co. selling sustainable fashion and products. Visibility Arts sells original artwork, prints, and curated products (glassware, candles, cards, bags, stickers). Revenue from social enterprises is reinvested directly into programs supporting people with I/DD. Artists receive 100% of purchase price for original paintings and commissions on printed products.
3. Donations and Fundraising Events: Search360 raises funds through its annual Trailblazers event (which generates more than 30% of annual fundraising revenue), general donations, corporate sponsorships, and in-kind contributions. The Associate Board engages young professionals in fundraising and volunteer support.
4. Community Training Fees: Disability Awareness Trainings are offered to businesses, theaters, libraries, schools, trade associations, nonprofit organizations, and corporations. Both in-person (in Chicagoland) and digital/on-demand training platforms are available, creating a revenue stream from organizational training contracts.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Search360 is a Chicagoland-based nonprofit that delivers person-centered programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), spanning residential Community Living (CILA homes), Day Services, Youth Services, Clinical Services and a Behavioral Health Clinic, Self-Directed Assistance, Career Services (supported employment), and accessible travel through Search for Adventure. The organization also operates two social enterprises—Planet Access (a retail store with Toad&Co.) and Visibility Arts—and offers self-advocate-led Disability Awareness Training in person and via the digital disabilityaware360.org platform.

Product overview

Search360 is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), organized around three pillars: Live (residential and daily living support), Learn (education and skill development), and Grow (career and personal enrichment). The portfolio spans Community Living (CILA homes with 24/7 support), Day Services, Youth Services (transition support), Clinical Services (healthcare coordination), Behavioral Health Clinic, Self-Directed Assistance, Career Services (supported employment), Search for Adventure (accessible travel), Visibility Arts (art program), Disability Awareness Training (in-person and digital), NeurodiVERSED (awareness campaign), Hop On the Bus (transportation training), and Glidepath Curriculum. Social enterprises include Planet Access retail store and Visibility Arts. Services are delivered across Chicagoland through partnerships with Illinois DRS, IARF, Toad&Co., and inclusive employers, funded via Medicaid waivers, Home-Based Services, and private pay.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Planet Access: A retail store in Chicago that promotes sustainable fashion to fuel social impact, operated as a social enterprise of Search360.
• Visibility Arts
• Search for Adventure (SFA)
• Disability Awareness Training (DAT)
• NeurodiVERSED

Products and services

• Community Living
• Day Services
• Youth Services
• Clinical Services
• Behavioral Health Clinic
• Self-Directed Assistance

Quantifiable outcome

• 350+ adults with I/DD supported annually to live, learn and grow in inclusive communities
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• PACE Suburban BuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012PACE Suburban Bus partners with Search360 on the Hop On the Bus to Independence program, providing free fixed-route public transportation training for Chicagoland schools since 2012. More than 9,000 students and adults with disabilities have participated. PACE distributes and supports the program, making public transit more accessible for people with I/DD.
• Toad&Co.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004For over 25 years, Toad&Co. has partnered with Search360 to create meaningful opportunities for people with I/DD. Together, they co-founded Search for Adventure (SFA) in 2004 — a one-of-a-kind accessible travel program. Toad&Co. also co-operates Planet Access, a retail store in Chicago promoting sustainable fashion with social impact. Toad&Co. staff participate in SFA trips as tour guides. Toad&Co. is a Diamond Sponsor of the Trailblazers event and has been a consistent supporter of Search's mission for decades.
• Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDRS is a key government partner for Career Services (supported employment, job placement, and job coaching) and Youth Services (Pre-Employment Transition Services/Pre-ETS for students with I/DD). DRS approval is required for individuals to access employment services and school-to-work transition support, making this partnership foundational to Search360's career and youth programming.
• Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIARF, led by CEO Josh Evans, advocates for over 80 human service organizations including Search360 across Illinois. Under Josh's leadership since FY18, IARF drove a 64% increase in Illinois funding to the department overseeing I/DD agencies. IARF has been instrumental in legislative advocacy for DSP wage increases and disability services investment. IARF received the John Lipscomb Trailblazer Award at Search360's 2026 Trailblazers event.
• Rivers Casino Des PlainescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRivers Casino Des Plaines has placed 8 employees through Search360's Career Services, starting with a placement in their bakery. They are recognized as leaders in inclusive employment in Cook County, demonstrating flexible hiring processes that enable meaningful employment. Beyond employment, Rivers has supported the Mount Prospect Day Services site garden revival and sponsors the Trailblazers event for three consecutive years. Received a 2026 Trailblazers award.
• Mariano's, Jewel, Home Depot, Walmart, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Marshalls, Sheraton Suites, Portillo'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThese inclusive employers across the Chicagoland area partner with Search360's Career Services to provide supported employment for adults with I/DD. Employment Specialists connect individuals with positions matching their strengths and interests, providing ongoing job coaching to ensure successful, long-term employment placements.
• They Deserve More CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSearch360 participates in the They Deserve More coalition alongside hundreds of advocates from I/DD organizations across Illinois. The coalition advocates at the Illinois State Capitol for stronger disability services and increased wages for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). Search360 brought a group of 10 (including staff and people supported) to the May 2026 Advocacy Action Day.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Arc of the United States: National I/DD advocacy and direct services organization with state and local chapters providing residential, employment, and family support. Highly comparable mission and service mix to Search360's 360-degree approach.
• Aspire (Chicago): Chicagoland-based I/DD services nonprofit operating residential, day, employment, and behavioral health programs. Most direct local competitor to Search360 in the same Illinois Medicaid waiver ecosystem.
• Ray Graham Association: Illinois-based nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, and clinical services for people with I/DD. Operates in the same Chicagoland/IARF advocacy network and Illinois waiver funding environment.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including residential, day, employment, and clinical supports. Comparable to Search360's whole-person I/DD service model across multiple service lines, though at much larger geographic scale.
• UCP (United Cerebral Palsy): National nonprofit serving people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities through residential, day, employment, and clinical services. Direct peer in I/DD service delivery and Medicaid-funded supports.
• St. Coletta's of Illinois: Illinois nonprofit serving children and adults with I/DD through residential, day, and clinical programs. Comparable to Search360's residential and day services with similar CILA/community-based delivery model.
• Clearbrook: Illinois-based I/DD services nonprofit providing CILA residential, day, employment, and clinical supports. Direct peer in the same Illinois DD/HBS waiver funding system serving similar populations.
• Sertoma Centre: Illinois-based I/DD services nonprofit offering residential, vocational, and community-based supports. Comparable to Search360's Community Living and Career Services in the same Illinois funding framework.

Broad incumbents

• BrightSpring Health Services: Large diversified home and community-based provider serving I/DD, behavioral health, and senior populations across many states. Comparable in I/DD service categories but operates at much larger scale and as a public company.
• Help at Home: Major U.S. provider of home and community-based services including I/DD personal care and waiver-funded supports. Comparable to Search360's HBS waiver Self-Directed Assistance and Community Living services, though at multi-state scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/searchinc1968
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@search360org
• Facebookfacebook.com/Search.Inc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/search-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Search