Planned Lifetime Assistance Network

What Planned Lifetime Assistance Network does

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1971 that provides pooled special needs trust administration and social service coordination for individuals with disabilities across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The organization operates the original MARC Trust, which was the first Special Needs Pooled Trust in New England, and now offers First Party (self-funded) and Third Party (family-funded) pooled trusts designed to preserve beneficiary assets while maintaining eligibility for means-tested public benefits such as Medicaid, MassHealth, and Supplemental Security Income. As of 2021, PLAN administered trusts for approximately 750 beneficiaries with $60 million in assets under management.

PLAN's core offering is an all-inclusive service model that bundles trust administration, investment management, disbursement processing, case management, and ongoing service coordination by licensed social workers into a single annual fee. The platform includes online application portals for First Party and Third Party trust enrollment, a Life Care Plan documentation process, and an online disbursement request system. Technology infrastructure supports compliance with federal special needs trust regulations, which restrict how trust funds can be spent without jeopardizing public benefit eligibility. The organization operates from offices in Braintree, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island, serving all of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

PLAN generates revenue from annual trust administration fees on the 750 active beneficiary accounts, supplemented by an active philanthropic and partnership-sponsorship program. The organization has granted more than $1 million to other disability-services nonprofits since 2020 and maintains referral relationships with 14+ partner organizations including Special Olympics Massachusetts, Best Buddies MARI, Northeast Arc, the Carroll Center for the Blind, AANE, and NAMI Massachusetts, with individual partnership commitments ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. Distribution is primarily direct (Braintree and Providence offices) and partner-referred, supported by educational content marketing (podcast, website, webinars) and a network of elder law attorneys. Executive Director Joan McGrath Coulter has led the organization for over twelve years, and co-founder Phyllis S. Solomon remains involved as a board member.

Name

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network

Legal name

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc.

Website

https://planofma-ri.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PLAN of MA & RI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1971 that administers pooled special needs trusts for approximately 750 beneficiaries with disabilities across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, combining trust administration, licensed social worker coordination, and investment management under a single annual fee.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Needs Trust Administration

NAICS

Trusts, Estates, and Agency Accounts (52592), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Health and Welfare Funds (525120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs & Supplemental Needs Trust Services (FSAAANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Personal & Family Trust Services (FSAAANAA), Guardianship & Conservatorship Services (FSAAANAG)

Keywords

• Special needs trusts
• Pooled trust administration
• Fiduciary services
• Disability planning
• Trustee services

Headquarters

HQ city

Needham Heights

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Special Needs Trust Administration Services: Professional trustee and fiduciary services for individuals and families, providing trust administration, social service coordination, investment management, and disbursement processing. Revenue is generated through annual fees for the comprehensive trust management services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

PLAN of MA & RI provides professional trustee and fiduciary services for individuals with disabilities through First Party (MARC) and Third Party pooled special needs trusts. The all-inclusive service model combines trust administration, investment management, disbursement processing, and dedicated service coordination by licensed social workers, all bundled into a single annual fee. The organization preserves beneficiary assets while protecting eligibility for public benefits such as Medicaid and SSI.

Product overview

PLAN of MA & RI offers a unified special needs trust administration platform centered on its First Party (MARC) and Third Party pooled trusts. The organization provides an all-inclusive service model combining trust administration, investment management, disbursement processing, and dedicated service coordination by licensed social workers. Beneficiaries access trust services through online application portals and document management systems, with ongoing support through life care planning and regular assessments. All services—including case management, investing, and annual reporting—are consolidated into a single annual fee structure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• First Party Trust (MARC Trust) A pooled trust where the beneficiary's own funds are placed into the trust to preserve assets while maintaining eligibility for public benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. Designed for individuals with disabilities whose own assets exceed public benefit thresholds.
• Third Party Trust A pooled trust established by family members or other third parties using their own funds to benefit a person with a disability, preserving assets without affecting the beneficiary's public benefit eligibility. Designed for families planning future financial support for a disabled loved one.
• Service Coordination Ongoing support provided by licensed social workers who assess beneficiaries' living situations, needs, and current benefits, making recommendations and referrals to services that improve quality of life. Bundled into the annual trust administration fee.
• Disbursement Request System An online process for trust beneficiaries to request fund disbursements from their special needs trust accounts for supplemental expenses, with guidelines ensuring compliance with federal regulations. Provided as part of the comprehensive trust administration service.

Quantifiable outcome

• $60M in assets under management for 750 beneficiaries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, standard and major.

• Special Olympics MassachusettscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2026PLAN of MA & RI serves as the exclusive special needs trust partner with Special Olympics Massachusetts. In support of this partnership, PLAN committed $100,000 toward Special Olympics Massachusetts. The partnership educates athletes and families about financial security and special needs trust options. Both organizations share a mission of advocacy and support for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Seven Hills Foundation & AffiliatesstandardGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025PLAN of MA & RI announced new partnership with Seven Hills Foundation & Affiliates focused on empowering people with significant challenges. PLAN committed $25,000.
• NAMI MassachusettsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 September 2025PLAN of MA & RI renewed partnership with NAMI MA focused on improving quality of life for individuals affected by mental health conditions. PLAN committed $75,000 toward NAMI MA to help educate families about financial security.
• Federation for Children with Special NeedsstandardGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 September 2025PLAN of MA & RI announced new partnership with Federation for Children with Special Needs focused on empowering families and eliminating barriers. PLAN committed $50,000.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of DorchesterstandardGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 July 2025PLAN of MA & RI announced new partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester dedicated to welcoming and connecting young people and families with disabilities. PLAN committed $50,000.
• The Arc of the South ShorestandardGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2025PLAN of MA & RI renewed partnership with The Arc of the South Shore to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. PLAN committed $25,000 toward the organization.
• The Arc Rhode IslandstandardGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2025PLAN of MA & RI announced new partnership with The Arc Rhode Island focused on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. PLAN committed $25,000.
• Boston Senior Home CarestandardGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2025PLAN of MA & RI renewed partnership with Boston Senior Home Care dedicated to ensuring older adults and people with disabilities can remain at home with dignity and independence. PLAN committed $50,000.
• Eunie's BuddiescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2025PLAN of MA & RI announced new partnership with Eunie's Buddies offering support to families raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. PLAN committed $100,000.
• Road to Responsibility, Inc.standardGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 September 2024PLAN of MA & RI renewed partnership with Road to Responsibility focused on making lives better for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. PLAN committed $25,000.
• Senior Connection (formerly Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging)standardGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 August 2023PLAN of MA & RI renewed partnership with Senior Connection to provide leadership in information and resources for older adults and caregivers in Central MA. PLAN committed $25,000.
• Northeast ArcmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 July 2021PLAN of MA & RI serves as the preferred special needs planning partner of Northeast Arc, which serves 15,000 people with disabilities annually. PLAN committed $75,000 to support Northeast Arc programs and services, including sponsorship of events and co-presented webinars.
• Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 May 2021PLAN of MA & RI announced a strategic partnership with AANE to support autistic individuals and their families. PLAN committed $25,000 initially, then renewed with $50,000. The partnership brings together collective resources to support independence and pathway planning.
• The Carroll Center for the BlindmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2021PLAN of MA & RI announced a two-year strategic partnership with the Carroll Center for the Blind, one of the largest vision rehabilitation agencies in the nation. PLAN committed $50,000 toward the Carroll Center. The partnership educates clients and families about financial security and special needs trusts.
• Best Buddies of Massachusetts and Rhode IslandcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 March 2021PLAN of MA & RI serves as the exclusive special needs trust partner with Best Buddies MARI. In support of this partnership, PLAN committed $100,000 toward Best Buddies MARI. The partnership assists people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure financial freedom and achieve personal goals.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Arc of the United States: The national I/DD advocacy organization; multiple state and local Arc chapters operate their own pooled special needs trusts and provide social services, making them the most direct mission-aligned peer to PLAN's trust administration plus service coordination model.
• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): NORD operates pooled trust programs (including the NORD Rare Disease Pooled Trust Program) and provides social support services to families affected by rare conditions — directly competing with PLAN for special needs trust clients seeking nonprofit trustee services.
• National Disability Institute (NDI): National nonprofit focused on the financial health of people with disabilities; collaborates on ABLE accounts and pooled trust programming and shares PLAN's mission-aligned, nonprofit special needs trust positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Fidelity Investments: Fidelity offers a national Special Needs Pooled Trust Service with a large investment platform and institutional scale. It competes with PLAN on third-party and first-party trust services, but lacks PLAN's embedded licensed social worker service coordination layer.
• Wells Fargo Wealth Management: Wells Fargo's Personal Trust Services include special needs trusts as part of a broader wealth management portfolio. It competes for higher-asset SNT cases nationally but does not specialize in the I/DD nonprofit space the way PLAN does.
• JPMorgan Private Bank: JPMorgan's Private Bank offers special needs trust services to high-net-worth families alongside broader fiduciary and wealth advisory services. It overlaps with PLAN on third-party SNT cases but at the premium, large-balance end of the market.

Others

• Special Needs Alliance: National nonprofit attorney network specializing in disability, public benefits, and special needs planning. It is a key referral channel and ecosystem partner for PLAN, and competes indirectly via member attorneys who may also offer trustee services.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services, advocacy, and supports across the lifespan. It is not a direct pooled trust competitor but operates in the same beneficiary referral ecosystem as PLAN, with overlapping partner networks.
• Best Buddies International: National nonprofit supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through friendship, employment, and leadership programs. It is a key PLAN referral partner in MA/RI but does not itself administer special needs trusts.
• Special Olympics: Global nonprofit providing athletic training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities. PLAN holds an exclusive trust partnership with Special Olympics Massachusetts, making it a major referral source rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PLANofMAandRI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/planofmari
• Xx.com/PLANofma_ri

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Planned Lifetime Assistance Network