What Mercy Home does

Mercy Home (legally Mercy Home for Children) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1862 by the Sisters of Mercy in Brooklyn, New York, providing lifelong residential and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The organization operates 13 residential homes across Brooklyn, Queens (South Ozone Park), and Nassau County serving 108 medically frail adults, alongside a Saturday Respite program serving nearly 100 youth and adults, in-home respite, Day Habilitation Without Walls, Medicaid Service Coordination, and signature therapeutic programs including Creative Arts Therapy (CAT, since 2006), Plant-Grow-Give horticultural therapy (since 2012, 2,100+ pounds of produce donated annually), the Melodic Soul music performance band, and the Gifted Artists program. Approximately 80% of those served are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

The organization is funded through a diversified mix of government Medicaid contracts via the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), individual donations, foundation grants (notably a $425,000 Mother Cabrini Health Foundation grant in 2022 and a $20,000 O'Neill Foundation grant in 2020), corporate event sponsorships, planned giving, donor-advised funds, workplace giving, and stock donations, with the organization stating that more than 95% of money raised through sponsorships and grants goes directly to the people served. The leadership team is led by Executive Director Janice M. Aris (MSW, MS) and includes an EdD-level EVP of Operations, an RN/FNP Vice President of Nursing, a Director of Psychology, and 20+ board members including religious leaders from the Sisters of Mercy. Direct Support Professionals are represented by 1199 SEIU. Compliance and trust infrastructure includes HIPAA compliance, BBB charity accreditation, and GuideStar Platinum transparency status.

Strategically, Mercy Home has evolved from a 19th-century children's refuge into a specialized I/DD services provider with a regulatory moat (OPWDD-licensed), a 160-year brand moat (Sisters of Mercy ministry), and high switching costs in long-term residential placements. The organization's stated strategic intent, evidenced by recent grant-funded programs, is to expand independent living skill-building (Life Skills, Life-Long) and address social determinants of health for the I/DD community across the New York metropolitan region.

Name

Mercy Home

Legal name

Mercy Home for Children

Website

https://mercyhomeny.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1862

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Mercy Home is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1862 that operates 13 residential homes and therapeutic programs serving 200+ individuals annually with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau County in New York.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990), Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (623), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Small Residential Care Homes (RCFE/Board & Care) (HLADABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Respite Care for Adults with Disabilities / Special Needs (HSABAGAI), Behavioral Health–Capable Assisted Living (Mental Health/SUD Support) (HLADABAI)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Residential care services
• Respite care programs
• Art therapy services
• Horticultural therapy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals, with Leadership Circle membership for contributions of $1,000 or more per year offering exclusive event invitations.
2. Foundation Grants: Grants from health foundations including Mother Cabrini Health Foundation ($425,000 for Residential Renewal and Community Support Programs) and William J. and Dorothy K. O'Neill Foundation ($20,000 for stress reduction program).
3. Government Funding: Ongoing partnerships with New York State Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) enabling services for those in need.
4. Event Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorships for events including #AbilityOverDisability Art Show, Spring Fundraising Dinner, and Beer, Bourbon, & Bites.
5. Planned Giving: Charitable bequests allowing donors to name Mercy Home in wills with tax identification number 11-1666227.
6. Stock and Securities Donations: Appreciated stock gifts that reduce donor tax liability while providing program funding.
7. Workplace Giving: Employer matching gifts programs and workplace giving campaigns including Amazon Smile.
8. Donor-Advised Fund: Electronic donations accepted through Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, and BNY Mellon donor-advised funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Mercy Home operates 13 residential homes across Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau County providing 24/7 nursing and therapeutic care for 108 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization also delivers community-based programs including Saturday and in-home respite care serving nearly 100 participants, Day Habilitation Without Walls, Creative Arts Therapy, Plant-Grow-Give horticultural therapy, the Melodic Soul music program, and the Gifted Artists art program.

Product overview

Mercy Home operates as a single unified nonprofit service provider offering a coordinated portfolio of residential and community-based programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The core offerings include 13 residential homes providing lifelong care, alongside therapeutic programs including Creative Arts Therapy (CAT), Plant-Grow-Give horticultural therapy, Melodic Soul music therapy, and the Gifted Artists program. Supporting programs include Saturday and in-home respite services, Day Habilitation Without Walls, and Medicaid Service Coordination. These programs work together to provide comprehensive support across residential, therapeutic, social, and community integration domains, serving children, youth, and adults with disabilities across Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau County.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Creative Arts Therapy (CAT): Art, music, drama, and yoga therapy program for children with autism and developmental disabilities
• Plant-Grow-Give
• Melodic Soul
• Gifted Artists

Products and services

• Residential Services
• Respite Program
• Day Habilitation Without Walls
• Creative Arts Therapy (CAT)
• Plant-Grow-Give (PGG)
• Melodic Soul
• Gifted Artists Program
• Medicaid Service Coordination

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,100 pounds of fresh produce donated annually to soup kitchens and food pantries
• +4 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

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Sisters of Mercy of The AmericascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding religious organization since 1862. Mercy Home is a Sisters of Mercy ministry aligned with Critical Concerns including working on behalf of the marginalized and dismantling racism.
• Brooklyn Services for Autism CitizenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization serving individuals with autism, with some individuals transitioning to Mercy Home programs.
• Pratt InstitutesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt students create animated video showing history and impact of Mercy Home; collaborate on Gallery In The Garden festival.
• Italian Vogue / Daniel Jack Lyons / Marissa AdelesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerABLE photography project featuring Mercy Home residents styled in designer clothes, featured in Italian Vogue 2018.
• NET TVsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerNews coverage of Creative Arts Therapy program during Autism Awareness Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month celebrations.
• Ridgewood Savings Bank, Opperman Weiss, SuperflysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate volunteers for MLK Day weekend of service, cleaning, painting and organizing Creative Arts Therapy rooms.
• Flag Waterproofing and Restoration, RSM, NFP, Knights of ColumbussecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner#AbilityOverDisability Art Show and Reception event sponsors for annual Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month celebration.
• Brooklyn Arts Council, Brooklyn Caribe Lions Club, Brooklyn Crown Heights Lions ClubsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity arts and civic organization partners supporting Mercy Home programs and events.
• Con EdisonsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate volunteer day partners and workplace giving program supporters.
• Proskauer Rose LLP, Jackson Lewis PCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal services partners providing pro bono or reduced-cost legal support.
• Amazon, Airbnb, Aflac, Astoria Bank, Benevity Community Impact FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVarious corporate partners supporting through Amazon Smile, workplace giving, and employee matching programs.
• Our Lady of Refuge ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based community partner.
• Caring Therapy Services PLLC, Beacon Speech Language PLLC, Precision PharmacyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare and therapy service providers supporting Mercy Home participants.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• YAI (Young Adult Institute): YAI is one of the largest NYC-area nonprofit providers of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, operating residential programs, day habilitation, and therapy services across multiple boroughs. It directly competes with Mercy Home for OPWDD-funded residential placements and government contracts.
• AHRC NYC (New York City Chapter): AHRC NYC is a major nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York City, operating residential homes, day programs, respite, and clinical services. It is a direct competitor for both state funding and donor support in the same Brooklyn metro geography.
• HeartShare Human Services of New York: HeartShare is a large Brooklyn-based nonprofit providing residential, educational, vocational, and clinical services to people with developmental disabilities. It competes with Mercy Home for OPWDD residential placements and the same NYC donor base.
• ADAPT Community Network: ADAPT Community Network (formerly UCP of NYC) provides residential, day, and clinical services for people with cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, and autism in the NYC metro area. It is a comparable IDD nonprofit operating at significantly greater scale.
• Services for the UnderServed (SUS): SUS is a large NYC nonprofit providing housing, residential, and clinical services to people with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and HIV/AIDS. It operates supported housing and group homes that compete with Mercy Home for both residents and government funding.
• The Arc of the United States (national network): The Arc is a national nonprofit federation with state and local chapters providing residential, day, employment, and advocacy services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc New York chapter directly competes with Mercy Home for OPWDD funding in the same geography.

Direct peers

• LifeSpire: LifeSpire is a NYC-based nonprofit providing residential, day, vocational, and clinical services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. Its residential group home model closely mirrors Mercy Home's 13-home footprint serving medically frail adults.
• Birch Family Services: Birch Family Services operates residential, educational, and day programs for children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities in NYC. It shares Mercy Home's emphasis on autism-specialized residential care and is a direct peer for both residents and OPWDD funding.
• QSAC (Quality Services for the Autism Community): QSAC is a NYC-based nonprofit providing autism-specific services including residential placements, day programs, and respite for children and adults with autism. It is a strong direct peer given the high autism prevalence (80%) in Mercy Home's client population.

Others

• Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey: Goodwill NY/NJ is a regional nonprofit providing employment, vocational, and day programs for people with disabilities and other barriers. While it focuses more on employment services than residential care, it competes with Mercy Home for the same donor and corporate partner base in NYC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/_MercyHome_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmI9PTcQ8T8Aful6_kE85hQ/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/mercyhomeforchildren
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mercy-home
• Instagraminstagram.com/mercy_home

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Mercy Home