Milwaukee Center For Independence

What Milwaukee Center For Independence does

Milwaukee Center For Independence (doing business as Centers for Independence / CFI) is a Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1938 that integrates health care and social services for individuals with disabilities, behavioral health conditions, and barriers to employment. Headquartered at 2020 W. Wells Street in Milwaukee, the organization operates more than 30 programs and services across behavioral health, crisis intervention, disability support, employment, food and nutrition, pediatric specialty care, brain health rehabilitation, and home care, reaching more than 20,000 people annually across all 72 Wisconsin counties. Delivery modalities include trauma-informed care, person-centered planning, and non-pharmacological therapies (music, equine, horticulture, art); affiliated entities iLIFE and First Person Care Consultants extend CFI's footprint into financial management and consulting services for Wisconsin's statewide IRIS self-directed long-term care program.

CFI's revenue model is fundamentally government-funded and grant-supported. Primary revenue derives from contracts with Milwaukee County DHHS and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for behavioral health, targeted case management, IRIS consulting, and adult day services; additional revenue flows from SAMHSA federal grants (notably a four-year, $4M Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic award in October 2023), USDA-administered school nutrition contracts (4.85M meals delivered to 125 schools and community sites in 2024), private and corporate foundation grants (Green Bay Packers Foundation, We Energies Foundation, Wispact), and individual/corporate donations channeled through the MCFI Foundation. Capital projects are funded by mixed public-private capital stacks — the $16M Concordia 27 community center was assembled from $5M in state funding, $2M in Milwaukee County support, foundation grants, and food-service program revenue. Direct consumer pricing is not commercialized; services are free or reduced-fee for eligible individuals based on disability status, income, and enrollment in public programs (Medicaid, BadgerCare, IRIS).

The operating footprint includes four production kitchens (plus a fifth opened at Concordia 27) producing 20,000+ meals daily, five 24/7 Crisis Resource Centers across Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, an integrated behavioral health program serving nearly 3,000 adults annually, Wisconsin's only Medicaid-certified pediatric day program (Pediatric Specialty Care), and a statewide IRIS infrastructure with offices in Glendale, Madison, Eau Claire, Rice Lake, and Wausau. CFI is CARF-accredited for 24 consecutive years (top 3% of surveys with no recommendations for improvement) and is HIPAA-compliant. Recent leadership transitions include CEO Teri Zywicki's 2023 retirement, Leif Elsmo's appointment in October 2023 (from UChicago Medicine's Urban Health Initiative), and Heidi Chada's appointment as President and CEO in March 2026.

Name

Milwaukee Center For Independence

Legal name

Milwaukee Center for Independence

Website

https://cfihope.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Milwaukee Center For Independence (CFI) is a Wisconsin nonprofit founded in 1938 that delivers integrated behavioral health, disability, crisis, employment, food-service, and pediatric care programs to more than 20,000 people annually across all 72 Wisconsin counties, funded primarily through government contracts and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health and Social Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Individual and Family Services (6241), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Independent Living with Supportive Services (Light ADL/IADL Support) (HLADAAAE), Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ)

Keywords

• Behavioral health services
• Disability support services
• Crisis intervention services
• Community mental health
• Social services nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts & Public Funding: CFI's primary revenue comes from government contracts with Milwaukee County DHHS and Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Program funding is explicitly in partnership with Milwaukee County DHHS for adult day services. Funding also flows from Wisconsin DHS for targeted case management, IRIS consultant services, and behavioral health programs. This constitutes the dominant revenue stream for the organization.
2. Foundation & Grant Funding: CFI receives significant grant funding from federal and state sources. SAMHSA awarded a $4M four-year CCBHC grant. The State of Wisconsin provided $5M for Concordia 27. Milwaukee County allocated $2M toward Concordia 27. The Green Bay Packers Foundation supports equipment for the Concordia 27 kitchen. We Energies Foundation and Wispact Legacy grants support accessibility and facility improvements. The $500K Wisconsin Local Food for Schools grant supports nutrition supply chain expansion. These grants fund capital projects and program expansion.
3. Donations & Charitable Contributions: The MCFI Foundation (MCFI Foundation, EIN: 47-2334925) accepts donations through multiple vehicles: online donations, mail-in checks, donor-advised funds, matching gift programs, in-kind donations (Amazon Wish Lists), planned giving, monthly recurring gifts, stock/securities gifts, corporate giving, and tribute/memorial gifts. Donors can designate gifts to specific programs. The Foundation has distributed more than $22.5M for charitable purposes since its 1986 establishment.
4. IRIS Financial Management Services (iLIFE): iLIFE, LLC is a financial management services provider for people enrolled in Wisconsin's self-directed long-term care IRIS program. iLIFE processes payroll, handles taxes, and educates consumers. As a state-contracted IRIS Consultant Agency, First Person Care Consultants also generates revenue supporting IRIS participants statewide. These are affiliate entities generating revenue for the broader CFI ecosystem.
5. Food & Nutrition Services Revenue: CFI prepares, delivers, and serves more than 20,000 meals per day to schools, daycares, and community programs. As the second-largest provider of healthy meals for children in metro Milwaukee, revenue flows from school nutrition contracts. The Food Service program also serves as a training venue for clients, generating workforce development outcomes alongside meal production. CFI holds an A-grade from Milwaukee Health Department for food safety at all 4 production kitchens.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Centers for Independence (CFI) is a nonprofit organization delivering integrated behavioral health, crisis intervention, disability support, employment, and food and nutrition services to more than 20,000 people annually across 72 Wisconsin counties. The organization operates 30+ programs including 24/7 Crisis Resource Centers, outpatient behavioral health, children's services, pediatric specialty care, adult day programming (LIFE Services), brain injury rehabilitation, home care, school nutrition, and employment placement.

Product overview

Centers for Independence (CFI) is a nonprofit healthcare and social services organization offering an integrated portfolio of programs and services focused on total health and well-being. The organization operates as a coordinated service delivery model rather than a technology platform. CFI's core service lines include: Crisis Resource Centers providing 24/7 behavioral health crisis intervention; Behavioral Health Services offering outpatient clinical mental health care; Children's Services including Pediatric Specialty Care medical daycare and autism screening via the Next Step Clinic; Adult Day Programming (LIFE Services) and Brain Health rehabilitation programs; Food and Nutrition Services preparing over 20,000 meals daily; Home Care services; and Employment Services helping people with barriers to work. CFI also maintains affiliated organizations including iLIFE (financial management services) and First Person Care Consultants (IRIS consulting). The organization serves more than 20,000 people annually across 72 Wisconsin counties, with a mission of strengthening communities by integrating health care and social services since 1938.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LIFE Services: Adult Day Services program (Leisure, Inclusion, Fun and Employment) offering experiences for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to increase independent living skills, improve health and well-being, and prepare for employment
• Brain Health Program
• Whole Health Clinic
• Crisis Resource Centers (CRC)
• Next Step Clinic
• Pediatric Specialty Care

Products and services

• Crisis Resource Centers 24/7 emergency behavioral health crisis intervention, mental health care, supportive case management, and housing services available at five locations across Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.
• Behavioral Health Services Outpatient clinical mental health services including individual and group therapy, case management, psychiatric services, and medication management for adults with serious mental illness, serving nearly 3,000 adults annually.
• Children's Services Comprehensive children's programming including Pediatric Specialty Care (medical daycare for children birth to 21 with complex medical needs), Children's Behavioral Health Services for trauma, anxiety, and ADHD, and autism screening via Next Step Clinic.
• Food and Nutrition Services Prepares and delivers more than 20,000 meals per day to 125 schools, daycares, and community sites across the Milwaukee area, with 4.85 million meals provided in 2024.
• Home Care Nonprofit home care providing personal care, supportive home care, respite, companionship, daily living skills training, medication education and management for people of all ages throughout Wisconsin.
• LIFE Services (Adult Day Programming) Adult day services offering leisure, inclusion, fun, and employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, incorporating music therapy, equine-assisted therapy, and horticulture therapy to build independent living skills.
• Brain Health Program Rehabilitation program for people recovering from brain injury, stroke, or neurological conditions, providing community-based outpatient services, treatment, educational resources, and support for clients, caregivers, and families.
• Employment Services Job placement and support services for people with barriers to work including disabilities, literacy gaps, and past criminal convictions, offering skill development, education, placement, and coaching; 350+ people placed in jobs in 2023.
• iLIFE (Financial Management Services) Financial management services for people enrolled in Wisconsin's self-directed long-term care IRIS program, processing payroll, handling taxes, and educating consumers statewide through offices in Glendale, Madison, Eau Claire, Rice Lake, and Wausau.
• First Person Care Consultants Certified IRIS Consultant Agency providing experienced consultants to support IRIS participants of all ages and abilities as they self-direct their long-term care services.
• Next Step Clinic Autism screening, evaluation, and diagnosis services for children aged 15 months to 10 years, providing comprehensive family navigation including for families experiencing income constraints, geographical limitations, and refugee status.

Quantifiable outcome

• 350+ people placed into jobs in 2023, with 35 new employers joining the employment placement network
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Milwaukee County DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram funding for Adult Day Services is in partnership with Milwaukee County DHHS. CFI was awarded a DHS contract to continue Targeted Case Management Services in Milwaukee County. The county also allocated $2M toward the Concordia 27 project. DHHS is a fundamental partner enabling the majority of CFI's service delivery across disability and behavioral health programs.
• Children's WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary referral partner for CFI's Children's Behavioral Health clinic. The clinic was established with Children's Wisconsin as the primary referral partner to address the growing demand for children's mental health services. Additionally, Children's Wisconsin and Milwaukee County's Birth to Three provider agencies work with CFI's Behavioral Health Services to identify children in need of mental health care.
• Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity referral partner for CFI's CCBHC behavioral health program. Approximately 50% of enrolled clients were referred from community partners including MCW. This partnership enables access to the behavioral health program for patients with complex medical and psychiatric needs.
• Wisconsin Community ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity referral partner for CFI's CCBHC behavioral health program. Refers individuals with behavioral health needs to CFI's services.
• IMPACT Coordinated EntrycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity referral partner for CFI's CCBHC behavioral health program. Refers individuals experiencing housing instability and behavioral health challenges to CFI's Crisis Resource Centers and behavioral health services.
• Milwaukee County CARS (Community Access to Recovery Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFI collaborates closely with Milwaukee County CARS, which has its own dedicated crisis response team to further assist CFI clients in urgent situations. CARS operates its own dedicated crisis response team complementing CFI's Crisis Resource Centers.
• Near West Side PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNear West Side Partners is leading the Concordia 27 development, converting a vacant four-story building at 27th and Wells Streets into a $16 million community center. CFI is a tenant with a 12,000-square-foot production kitchen. Other tenants include Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee (SWIM). The project received $5M from the State of Wisconsin and $2M from Milwaukee County.
• Braise (Culinary School and Restaurant)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFI has been a vendor for Braise for three years, with LIFE Services clients growing produce sold to Braise in exchange for monetary donations. A Farm2Table dinner at Braise showcased client-grown heirloom tomatoes, kale, and eggplants transformed into a gourmet four-course meal. The partnership empowers clients while bringing fresh local food to the community.
• Meals on WheelscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFI's LIFE Services program has partnered with Meals on Wheels for nearly two decades. Twice weekly, LIFE Services clients visit Horizon Home Care to package meals for delivery routes, delivering meals door-to-door. This volunteer opportunity promotes social connection, community inclusion, and skill-building for clients.
• Horizon Home CareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIFE Services clients visit Horizon Home Care twice weekly to package meals for Meals on Wheels delivery. This provides real-world work experience for clients while supporting community nutrition.
• Marquette University / Next Step CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNext Step Clinic, providing autism screening, evaluation, and diagnosis, relocated operations to CFI's main campus. The clinic opened in 2019 thanks to an award from Marquette University's President's Challenge. Dr. Amy Van Hecke serves as Marquette University Professor of Psychology and Director of Research at Next Step Clinic. The clinic is a graduate-level practicum training site.
• IRIS Program (Wisconsin Self-Directed Long-Term Care)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFI is a certified IRIS Consultant Agency through First Person Care Consultants and provides financial management services through iLIFE for Wisconsin residents self-directing their long-term care through the IRIS program. The organization supports IRIS participants with service planning, annual education, and program administration statewide.
• Milwaukee Chamber TheatreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCFI partnered with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre on the production 'EVERY BRILLIANT THING' to raise awareness of mental health. CFI's behavioral health experts participated in post-show panel discussions at select performances. Partnership with NAMI, Sober in the Brew City, and Bloom for resource sharing at each performance.
• Hunger Task ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFI partners with Hunger Task Force on the Summer Food Service Program to provide free nutritious meals to children during the out-of-school months. Hunger Task Force is Milwaukee's free and local food bank providing direct support to pantries and meal programs.
• MKE Urban StablesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFI and its Brain Health program travel to MKE Urban Stables each week where participants interact with animals, walk with them, groom them, and participate in activities as part of equine-assisted therapy.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Emerging players

• Mental Health America: National nonprofit focused on mental health advocacy, education, and direct service. Comparable to CFI's Behavioral Health Services and Children's Behavioral Health offerings, though typically has a narrower scope without CFI's food production or home care verticals.

Direct peers

• UCP (United Cerebral Palsy): National nonprofit providing disability services, including residential, day programs, employment, and therapy services for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Comparable to CFI's integrated disability services model, particularly LIFE Services and Pediatric Specialty Care offerings.
• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit providing employment services, job training, and placement for people with barriers to work including disabilities and criminal histories. Directly comparable to CFI's Employment Services program that placed 350+ people in jobs in 2023, with similar community-based nonprofit model and employer partnership networks.
• Hunger Task Force: Milwaukee-based food bank and hunger relief organization partnering with CFI on Summer Food Service Program. Direct peer in food/nutrition services and child nutrition mission, operating at a regional scale that closely matches CFI's food service arm.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including employment support, adult day services, behavioral health, and home-based support. Closely comparable to CFI's LIFE Services, Brain Health, and Children's Services programs with similar CARF-accredited community integration model.
• The Arc: National nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through day programs, employment services, and advocacy. Directly comparable to CFI's LIFE Services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and CFI's mission of independent living support.

Others

• National Disability Institute: National nonprofit advancing economic empowerment and financial wellness for people with disabilities. Comparable to CFI's iLIFE financial management services for IRIS program participants and employment placement outcomes.

Regional players

• Jewish Family Services: Regional social services nonprofit providing behavioral health, case management, and senior services comparable to CFI's Whole Health Clinic and Home Care programs. Similar service breadth and government-funded nonprofit model in the Midwest.

Broad incumbents

• The Salvation Army: Broad-scope international nonprofit providing social services including food programs, behavioral health, housing, and emergency assistance. Comparable to CFI's emergency shelter/crisis services and food production but operates on a much larger, multi-mission scale.
• Volunteers of America: Large national nonprofit operating behavioral health, housing, and disability services across many states. Comparable in scope to CFI's integrated services portfolio but operates at materially larger scale across multiple geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cfihope
• Facebookfacebook.com/CentersforIndependence
• Xx.com/MCFISocial

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries6 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 Milwaukee Center For Independence