The Arc of Massachusetts

What The Arc of Massachusetts does

The Arc of Massachusetts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, founded in 1950 with roots in the 1960s family self-help movement, that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism and their families statewide. Through a federation of 17 local chapters and supporting coalitions, the organization claims to reach approximately 250,000 individuals and families, delivering legislative advocacy, educational programs, social inclusion initiatives, and direct support services.

The portfolio is anchored by state and federal policy advocacy (executed through its AFAM division established in 2004 and the MA21 Alliance coalition formed in 2007), the Operation House Call (OHC) program training 1,200+ medical, nursing, and allied health students annually across 7 partner institutions including Boston University, Harvard, Simmons, Tufts, UMass Chan Medical School, UMass Chan Graduate School of Nursing, and Yale; the After I'm Gone future-planning initiative backed by a $135,000 Cummings Foundation grant; Pathways to Friendship social-inclusion programming operating across three regional inclusion networks with DDS funding; SUPPORTbrokers fee-for-hour consultation; the annual Transition Journeys Conference (2026 edition introduces CEUs at $150 professional tier); the quarterly Advocate Magazine; and the Progress and Possibility Gala. No proprietary technology platform is offered; the underlying stack is described as standard web, webinar/Zoom, and social media tools.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across individual donations, the Champions for Change monthly recurring program, foundation grants (Cummings, Dana Home, Marshall Fund), agency sponsorship fees paid by human service organizations and schools, gala sponsorships, planned/legacy giving, and SUPPORTbrokers hourly fees. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by President Brian Cusack with CEO Maura Sullivan and COO Audrey Falk running day-to-day operations.

Name

The Arc of Massachusetts

Legal name

The Arc of Massachusetts

Website

https://thearcofmass.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Arc of Massachusetts is a 501(c)(3) statewide advocacy organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism across Massachusetts, operating 17 local chapters and programs spanning legislative advocacy, healthcare workforce training, social inclusion, and future planning.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

504 Plan Consulting & Disability Accommodations (School-Based) (EDAKACAG), IEP/504 Planning, Case Management & Compliance (EDAJAKAB), Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

Keywords

• Disability advocacy services
• Intellectual disability support
• Autism advocacy programs
• Disability policy advocacy
• Special needs nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Waltham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations from supporters who contribute to fund advocacy efforts on behalf of individuals with IDD and autism. Monthly giving program (Champions for Change) allows recurring donations.
2. Grants: Foundation grants including $135,000 from Cummings Foundation for the After I'm Gone initiative, grants from Dana Home Foundation and Marshall Fund for community-specific work.
3. Agency Sponsorship Program: Human service agencies and schools pay to become agency sponsors, receiving advocacy representation, communications benefits, and access to The Arc's constituency and resources.
4. Annual Gala: Progress and Possibility Gala generates sponsorship revenue and ticket sales from corporate and individual supporters.
5. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts and estate planning donations from supporters who include The Arc in their estate plans.
6. SUPPORTbrokers Fee-for-Service: Fee-per-hour service matching individuals and families with certified support brokers for consultation and planning assistance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Arc of Massachusetts is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism, and their families. It delivers legislative advocacy at state and federal levels, signature programs such as Operation House Call (training medical and nursing students), After I'm Gone (future planning), Pathways to Friendship (social inclusion), and SUPPORTbrokers (fee-based consultation), and runs the annual Transition Journeys Conference and Progress and Possibility Gala.

Product overview

The Arc of Massachusetts is a nonprofit advocacy organization (501(c)(3)) that offers a portfolio of interconnected programs and services supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism. The core offerings include Advocacy and Empowerment for legislative work, Operation House Call for medical professional training, After I'm Gone for future planning, SUPPORTbrokers for consultation services, Pathways to Friendship for social inclusion, and the annual Transition Journeys Conference. The organization also operates Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) as a dedicated autism advocacy division and participates in the MA21 Alliance coalition for self-direction rights. Advocate Magazine provides quarterly education through publications. All programs are designed to enhance social inclusion, self-determination, and equity for people with IDD and autism across Massachusetts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advocacy and Empowerment State and federal legislative advocacy to obtain services and supports for people with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
• Operation House Call (OHC) Teaches medical, nursing, and allied health professional students essential skills to enhance healthcare for people with IDD and autism. Partners with seven major medical and nursing schools.
• After I'm Gone Future planning initiative helping aging caregivers create plans for their loved ones with disabilities, covering public and private resources, planning tools, and community connections.
• SUPPORTbrokers Fee-per-hour consultation service matching individuals and families with certified support brokers to navigate services, create person-centered plans, and advocate for needs.
• Pathways to Friendship Social inclusion initiative providing trainings, toolkits, matchmaking forums, and Regional Inclusion Networks to address isolation and build friendships between people with and without disabilities.
• Transition Journeys Conference Annual premier conference for families, self-advocates, and professionals navigating transition to adulthood for individuals with IDD and autism, featuring 20+ workshops on housing, healthcare, employment, and adult services.
• Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) Dedicated autism advocacy division operating within The Arc since 2004, focused on legislative advocacy, insurance coverage for ABA therapy, and adult services for individuals with autism.
• MA21 Alliance Partnership coalition protecting the right of people with disabilities to self-direct, formed in 2007 and instrumental in passing the Real Lives Law in 2014.
• Advocate Magazine Quarterly magazine providing information on state and federal governmental affairs, trainings, programs, events, and human-interest stories for individuals with IDD and their families.
• Champions for Change Monthly giving program enabling donors to provide consistent, reliable support through automatic recurring donations.
• Progress and Possibility Gala Annual fundraising gala bringing together community members, sponsors, legislators, and honorees to support The Arc's advocacy mission.
• Agency Sponsorship Program Human service agencies and schools pay to become agency sponsors, receiving advocacy representation, communications benefits, and access to The Arc's constituency and resources.

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Boston University School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school in Operation House Call program, training medical students in essential skills for caring for patients with IDD and autism through classroom curriculum, home visits, and reflection components.
• Harvard Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school in Operation House Call program, training medical students in essential skills for caring for patients with IDD and autism.
• Simmons University School of NursingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school in Operation House Call program, training nursing students in essential skills for caring for patients with IDD and autism.
• Tufts Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school in Operation House Call program, training medical students in essential skills for caring for patients with IDD and autism.
• UMass Chan Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school in Operation House Call program, training medical students in essential skills for caring for patients with IDD and autism.
• UMass Chan Graduate School of NursingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school in Operation House Call program, training nursing students in essential skills for caring for patients with IDD and autism.
• Yale University School of NursingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school in Operation House Call program, training nursing students in essential skills for caring for patients with IDD and autism.
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partnership enabling certification of schools incorporating the full 6-hour Operation House Call program into curriculum. DPH codification of OHC into law in 2023.
• MA21 Alliance (Massachusetts Alliance for 21st Century Disability Policy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partnership formed in 2007 to protect right of people with disabilities to self-direct. The Arc is a proud member. MA21 helped pass the Real Lives Law in 2014 and continues advocacy for full implementation.
• Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFAM operates as The Arc of Massachusetts' dedicated division for autism advocacy. Established in 2004, AFAM has resulted in landmark legislation including ARICA (2010) and Autism Omnibus Bill (2014). Formal merger into The Arc announced.
• Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDDS partners with The Arc on Pathways to Friendship initiative for social inclusion. DDS provides funding for Pathways to Friendship services which are FREE to participants throughout Massachusetts.
• Governor Maura Healey / Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Governor's office including Autism Commission participation, proclamation of April as Autism Awareness Month, and Secretary Dr. Kiame Mahaniah participation in Autism Advocacy Day.
• 17 Local Arc Chapters in MassachusettscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 17 local chapters providing direct services and supports to individuals with IDD and autism throughout Massachusetts communities. Chapters include Berkshire County Arc, Arc of Bristol County, Arc of Greater Brockton, Northeast Arc, and others.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Arc of the United States: National umbrella organization for The Arc's state and local chapters, including The Arc of Massachusetts. Operates the broader federation and federal advocacy platform that the Massachusetts chapter plugs into.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit serving individuals with disabilities and special needs, including autism and IDD, through direct services, advocacy, and medical programs. Operates a comparable federal/state advocacy and local service delivery model.
• National Disability Rights Network: National membership network of disability rights advocacy organizations with a Massachusetts affiliate. Comparable legal and policy advocacy mission serving individuals with IDD.
• Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law: National legal advocacy organization for individuals with mental disabilities, including IDD. Comparable federal policy and litigation advocacy focus with similar coalition-building approach.

Direct peers

• The Arc of New York: Another large state chapter of The Arc, providing direct IDD advocacy, family support, and chapter-based service coordination. Closely comparable structure, programs, and policy advocacy orientation.
• The Arc of California: California state chapter of The Arc offering similar advocacy, transition, and family support programs for individuals with IDD. Comparable in chapter network structure and statewide advocacy mission.

Regional players

• Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council: State-level disability advocacy body that partners with The Arc of Massachusetts on systemic change initiatives. Comparable advocacy and policy focus, but federally mandated rather than chapter-based.
• Special Olympics Massachusetts: Massachusetts affiliate of Special Olympics, providing social inclusion programming for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Comparable focus on inclusion and community engagement for the IDD population.
• Disability Law Center (Massachusetts): Massachusetts Protection and Advocacy system providing legal representation and advocacy for people with disabilities. Comparable statewide disability rights advocacy role with overlapping policy interests.

Peers

• Autism Society of America: National autism advocacy organization with state and local affiliates, overlapping with The Arc's AFAM division on autism-specific policy, insurance coverage, and adult services advocacy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thearcofmass
• YouTubeyoutube.com/arcofmass
• Facebookfacebook.com/thearcofmass
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-arc-of-massachusetts
• Instagraminstagram.com/thearcofmass

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Arc of Massachusetts