Independence Now
Independence Now is a Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving people of all ages with disabilities in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. It delivers the five core independent living services — advocacy, peer support, skills training, information & referral, and transition support — funded primarily through government grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersSilver Spring, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Independence Now does
Independence Now, Inc. is a Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and federally recognized Center for Independent Living serving people of all ages with all types of disabilities in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Silver Spring with a second office in Largo, the organization is designed, governed, and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities and operates as part of a nationwide network of Centers for Independent Living.
The organization delivers the five core independent living services defined under the federal CIL model — Information & Referral, Individual & System Advocacy, Peer Support, Independent Living Skills Training, and Youth & Nursing Facility Transition — supplemented by specialized programs including an Assistive Technology (AT) Lending Library, Home and Vehicle Modification supports, the Maryland Work Incentives Network (MD-WIN), the Maryland Youth Leadership Forum (MD YLF), Supports Planning, the "I Want My Life Back" transition webinar series, and a Disability Resource Directory. The Money Follows the Person (MFP) program, which operated for nearly 15 years supporting nursing home transitions and conducted outreach across nearly 50 nursing facilities, was terminated on June 30, 2026 due to federal budget cuts. Outreach is delivered through the two physical offices, direct community and home visits, and virtual programming including adaptive exercise classes.
The operating model is grant-funded rather than commercial: services are provided free of charge to consumers, and revenue is sourced primarily from federal and state government programs (notably the Maryland Department on Disabilities) plus donations. The organization maintains a WCAG 2.1 Level AA partially conformant website with accessibility features (keyboard navigation, font-size and high-contrast toggles, alt text, closed captioning), and has no proprietary technology platform, mobile application, or API. GTM is community-led, relying on referrals from healthcare providers, schools, disability organizations, and government agencies, supported by an active social media presence, an email newsletter, community events, and partnerships (e.g., Disability Partnerships for adaptive exercise, Adventist HealthCare, Red Wiggler Farm). Board leadership transitioned on July 1, 2026, with Donna Herring elected Board President and Seth Scheler appointed Treasurer, succeeding Jamie Freeny.
Independence Now firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Independence Now
- Legal name
- Independence Now, Inc.
- Website
- https://innow.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Independence Now is a Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving people of all ages with disabilities in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. It delivers the five core independent living services — advocacy, peer support, skills training, information & referral, and transition support — funded primarily through government grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Independence Now industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Services and Independent Living
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG), Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG)
Keywords
Where Independence Now is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Silver Spring
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Independence Now business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Grants and Contracts: As a Center for Independent Living, Independence Now receives federal and state funding through programs such as the Money Follows the Person program funded by Maryland Department on Disabilities to support nursing home transitions for nearly 15 years.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Independence Now product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Independence Now is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living that delivers free independent living services and programs to people with disabilities in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, Maryland. Its five core services — Information & Referral, Individual & System Advocacy, Peer Support, Independent Living Skills Training, and Youth & Nursing Facility Transition — are complemented by programs such as the AT Lending Library, Home/Vehicle Modification, MD-WIN benefits planning, Supports Planning, and the Maryland Youth Leadership Forum, all delivered by staff who themselves have disabilities.
Product overview
Independence Now is a Center for Independent Living offering a comprehensive suite of social services and programs designed, governed, and staffed by people with disabilities. The organization provides five core independent living services: Information & Referral, Individual & System Advocacy, Peer Support, Independent Living Skills Training, and Transition Services. These core services are complemented by specialized programs including the AT Lending Library for assistive technology loans, MD-WIN for work incentives counseling, the Maryland Youth Leadership Forum for youth development, Supports Planning, and the Money Follows the Person program for nursing facility transition. The organization also offers adaptive exercise classes through partnerships with organizations like Disability Partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Information & Referral Services Provides information about disability resources, answers consumer questions, and directs individuals to appropriate community services and supports across Montgomery and Prince George's Counties.
- Individual & System Advocacy Helps individuals and the broader disability community advocate for their rights and needs, working to remove barriers and improve accessibility in the community.
- Peer Support Connects individuals with disabilities to trained peers with shared lived experience who provide mentorship, emotional support, and help reaching personal goals.
- Independent Living Skills Training Teaches skills necessary for independent living, including daily living, self-care, and community navigation, helping consumers gain skills to live and work independently.
- Youth & Nursing Facility Transition Provides support for youth transitioning to adult life and post-secondary education, and assists individuals moving from nursing facilities back into community living.
- AT Lending Library Lends assistive technology devices to individuals with disabilities to support independent living, allowing consumers to trial AT before purchase.
- Home Vehicle Modification & Assistive Technology Assists consumers with modifying homes and vehicles to improve accessibility and independence for people with disabilities.
- MD-WIN (Maryland Work Incentives Network) Provides benefits planning and information about work incentives for people with disabilities who want to work, helping them understand how employment affects their benefits.
- Maryland Youth Leadership Forum (MD YLF) Empowers Maryland youth with disabilities through leadership development, advocacy training, and peer networking opportunities to prepare for adult life.
- Supports Planning Helps individuals develop plans to access the services and supports they need to live independently in the community.
- Money Follows the Person Assisted individuals with disabilities in transitioning from nursing facilities back into community living, including regular outreach at nearly 50 nursing homes in Montgomery and Prince George's counties.
- Disability Resource Directory Online directory connecting individuals with disabilities in the region to community resources, services, and supports.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 15 years of nursing home transition support helping individuals move from institutions back to the community
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Independence Now
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Independence Now technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Independence Now partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Disability PartnershipscoreDisability Partnerships is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides adaptive exercise programs including Zumba, seated fitness, line dancing, yoga, boxing, and small group training. Since 2016, they have provided programs benefiting the disability community. Classes are offered free and virtual through partnership with Independence Now.
- Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical CenterminorPartnered with Independence Now for wellness event bringing healthy living programming to the disability community.
- Red Wiggler FarmminorPartnership for cooking class programming. Farm provides fresh produce for healthy eating and nutrition education programs.
- The Image Center in TowsonminorHost venue for Maryland Disability Forum Voter Education Workshop on July 16, 2026.
- Public Land and Water ForumminorCoalition formed in response to federal cuts to public land management. Note: This appears unrelated to Independence Now's mission but listed in news source.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Independence Now competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Access Living: Chicago-based Center for Independent Living offering the same five core IL services (advocacy, peer support, independent living skills, transition, I&R) to people with disabilities. Operates the same federally recognized CIL model, making it a directly comparable peer.
- IndependenceFirst: Milwaukee-based Center for Independent Living delivering the five core IL services plus benefits counseling and youth transition programming to people with disabilities. Same CIL network affiliation and service architecture as Independence Now.
- The Ability Center: Toledo, Ohio-based Center for Independent Living providing the five core IL services plus AT and advocacy programming. Directly comparable in mission, funding model (federal/state grants), and service mix to Independence Now.
Broad incumbents
- The Arc of the United States: National disability advocacy and services nonprofit with a much broader footprint than a single CIL. Overlaps with Independence Now on disability advocacy, transition support, and community living, but operates across many program areas and states rather than centering independent living philosophy.
- Easterseals: Large national nonprofit providing disability and autism services including independent living skills, employment supports, and assistive technology. Comparable on AT lending and transition offerings, but operates a far broader, more diversified service portfolio than a community-anchored CIL.
Emerging players
- Disability Rights Maryland: Maryland's designated Protection and Advocacy organization, providing legal advocacy and rights-based services to people with disabilities statewide. Shares the same Maryland service geography and disability advocacy mission, though its legal-advocacy model differs from Independence Now's direct service delivery.
Others
- National Council on Independent Living (NCIL): National membership organization representing Centers for Independent Living, including Independence Now's network. Not a direct service provider but the policy, training, and convening body for the CIL movement — an essential ecosystem partner and indirect peer.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Independence Now social profiles
Digital presenceIndependence Now compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Independence Now financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Independence Now leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Independence Now funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Independence Now 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 Independence Now
What does Independence Now do?
Independence Now is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living that delivers free independent living services and programs to people with disabilities in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, Maryland. Its five core services — Information & Referral, Individual & System Advocacy, Peer Support, Independent Living Skills Training, and Youth & Nursing Facility Transition — are complemented by programs such as the AT Lending Library, Home/Vehicle Modification, MD-WIN benefits planning, Supports Planning, and the Maryland Youth Leadership Forum, all delivered by staff who themselves have disabilities.
Is Independence Now a public or private company?
Independence Now is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Independence Now founded?
Independence Now was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Independence Now based?
Independence Now is headquartered in Silver Spring, United States, in the North America region.
How does Independence Now make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Grants and Contracts.
Who are Independence Now's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Access Living, IndependenceFirst and The Ability Center. Broad incumbents are The Arc of the United States and Easterseals. Disability Rights Maryland is listed as an emerging player. National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is listed as an others.
Does Independence Now have an API?
No public API is recorded for Independence Now.
What industry is Independence Now in?
Independence Now's product category is Disability Services and Independent Living. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support. Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8300.