What The ARC of Frederick County does

The Arc of Frederick County is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1958 that provides human services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families across Frederick and Allegany Counties, Maryland. Originally established by parents seeking community programs for children with disabilities, the organization now supports more than 600 individuals annually through a portfolio of direct service programs, vocational training, and social enterprises. It operates an affiliated endowment and is led by a volunteer Board of Directors.

The organization's core service portfolio includes Support Coordination, Autism Waiver Service Coordination, Day Services, Employment Services, Futures and Estate Planning, Respite Care (Parents' Day Out), and Sibshops for siblings of children with developmental disabilities. The Arc at Market Street, a multi-purpose community facility acquired in 2013 and operational since 2015, houses the Culinary Training Program and social enterprises including Marcia's Bakery and Charlotte's Coffee House, which both generate revenue and serve as vocational training venues. There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is conducted through direct human interaction between Support Coordinators, Direct Support Professionals, and program staff with the individuals and families served.

The business model is primarily government-funded through the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), with federal Medicaid match supplementing per-individual allocations. FY 2025 Annual Report figures show $15,461,767 in government revenue against $13,433,576 in total expenses, with 94.86% of the budget directed to services and 5.11% to administration. Supplementary revenue streams include membership dues ranging from $25 to $1,000 per year, individual and corporate donations, workplace giving campaigns, an endowment managed by the Community Foundation of Frederick County, event space rental at The Arc at Market Street, and retail operations from the bakery and coffee house. The organization is led by Executive Director Shauna Mulcahy, who succeeded Joanna Pierson in 2021 after Pierson's 42-year tenure, and serves Frederick County primarily with expanded coverage of Allegany County since 2011.

Name

The ARC of Frederick County

Legal name

The Arc of Frederick County

Website

https://arcfc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Arc of Frederick County is a 501(c)3 nonprofit providing support coordination, day, employment, and residential services to over 600 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families annually across Frederick and Allegany Counties, Maryland, with associated vocational social enterprises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Developmental Disability Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Support coordination services
• Vocational training programs
• Respite care services
• Community living support

Headquarters

HQ city

Frederick

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (DDA): Primary funding source from Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). Funding is allocated per individual served to provide Support Coordination and Direct Support Professionals to assist people at home, work, and in their communities. DDA receives federal Medicaid match that doubles the number of people served.
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership program with multiple tiers ranging from $25 to $1,000 per year. Members receive newsletters, reduced-cost training, representation in policy forums, and insurance program access.
3. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, memorial/honorary contributions, vehicle donations, and endowment fund contributions. Workplace giving programs include Maryland Charity Campaign, Combined Federal Campaign, and United Way.
4. Event Space Rental: The Arc at Market Street generates revenue through renting a large banquet hall (up to 300 guests) for events including business luncheons, dinners, bridal/baby showers, retirement celebrations, and post-funeral luncheons. Catering from the Culinary Program is required.
5. Retail Operations (Bakery and Coffee House): Marcia's Bakery and Charlotte's Coffee House generate revenue from selling baked goods and coffee/light fare to the public. These operations also serve as training venues for the Culinary Training Program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Arc of Frederick County provides lifelong support coordination, day services, employment services, autism waiver coordination, residential and futures/estate planning for individuals with developmental disabilities in Frederick and Allegany Counties, Maryland. It also runs social-enterprise operations (a Culinary Training Program, Marcia's Bakery, Charlotte's Coffee House) at The Arc at Market Street, along with family support services such as Parents' Day Out, Sibshops, and community support groups. Services are primarily accessed through Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) funding with federal Medicaid match, supplemented by memberships, donations, event rentals, and retail revenue.

Product overview

The Arc of Frederick County is a nonprofit human services organization that provides a comprehensive suite of support services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families throughout their lifespan. The organization's service portfolio centers on core support coordination and direct care services, supplemented by vocational training programs and community facilities. Key offerings include Support Coordination, Autism Waiver Service Coordination, Day Services, Employment Services, and Futures and Estate Planning. The Arc at Market Street serves as a multi-purpose facility housing the Culinary Training Program, which operates social enterprises including Charlotte's Coffee House and Marcia's Bakery. Additional family support services include Parents' Day Out respite care, Sibshops for siblings, and various support groups. The organization supports more than 600 people each year across Frederick and Allegany Counties in Maryland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Culinary Training Program: Organized, formal training service providing skills for employment in bakery, restaurant, catering, and similar jobs for people with disabilities
• Sibshops
• Parents' Day Out
• The Link

Products and services

• Support Coordination Professional assistance helping children and adults with developmental disabilities build networks of supports for living, working, and participating in communities.
• Autism Waiver Service Coordination Service coordination for school-age children with autism through Maryland's Autism Waiver program, including assessment and ongoing support services.
• Day Services Community-based day services blending personal supports, community development, and day habilitation for people with significant developmental disabilities.
• Employment Services Job development, placement, employment supports, and career maintenance services for adults and transitioning students with developmental disabilities.
• Futures and Estate Planning Planning services helping families prepare for the future needs of family members with developmental disabilities, including Special Needs Trusts and Letters of Intent.
• Transitioning Youth Services Services and planning for students with disabilities transitioning from public school to adult life, including employment, living skills, and community participation.
• Information and Referral Services Navigation services connecting families and individuals to community resources, including help with DDA applications and Autism Waiver Registry.
• Parents' Day Out Free monthly respite care program held on the first Saturday of each month for parents of children with developmental disabilities, providing supervised activities.
• Sibshops Monthly workshops for siblings ages 8-13 of children with developmental disabilities, providing peer support and activities.
• Support Groups Monthly support groups for parents, individuals with brain injuries, Spanish-speaking families, and self-advocates.
• Culinary Training Program A formal training service providing skills for employment in bakery, restaurant, catering, and hospitality jobs for individuals with disabilities.
• Marcia's Bakery A gluten-free bakery branch of the Culinary Training Program, offering pastries and baked goods made by people with developmental disabilities.
• Charlotte's Coffee House A coffee house and café operated by the Culinary Training Program, serving Baltimore Coffee blends and freshly made sandwiches, operated by people with developmental disabilities.
• Event Room Rental Large banquet hall rental at The Arc at Market Street for business luncheons, dinners, showers, and retirement celebrations, accommodating up to 300 guests.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600+ individuals served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 and minor.

• Frederick County Public Schools (SUCCESS Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Initiated employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities transitioning from high school. Collaboration on Take Charge: Life Leadership program offered at Hood College campus.
• Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)coreOthersPrimary government funding partner. DDA allocates funding per individual served for Support Coordination and Direct Support Professionals. DDA funding is matched by federal Medicaid.
• Hood CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer Take Charge: Life Leadership semester-long course on Hood College campus for transitioning youth students with curriculum in leadership.
• Delaplaine Visual Arts CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based art class partnership for individuals served by The Arc.
• Scott Key CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide cooking classes to individuals served. Scott Key Center closed in 2012 and The Arc stepped in to support affected individuals.
• The Arc of MarylandcoreOthersState-level Arc chapter. Partnership on Wallbusters peer mentoring group. Donor information may be shared with The Arc of Maryland per privacy policy.
• The Arc of the United StatescoreOthersNational Arc organization. Donor information may be shared with national Arc per privacy policy.
• Community Foundation of Frederick CountycoreOthersManages The Arc's Endowment Fund investment. The fund's principal is kept in perpetuity with investment proceeds providing future funding for The Arc.
• Community Living (spun off in 1979)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResidential services program that spun off from The Arc in 1979. Moved into joint building in 1996.
• Frederick County GovernmentcoreOthersFunding partner since 1959. Jointly funded Jeanne Bussard Workshop in 1965. Awarded funding in 1999 to help students transition from special education to adult services.
• Maryland Developmental Disabilities CouncilminorOthersAwarded demonstration grant in 1982 to provide services to children to prevent institutionalization.
• Frederick County Sheriff's OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Traffic Stop safety training program for people with disabilities.
• Pathfinders for AutismminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for What to Do During a Traffic Stop training program.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SEEC: Maryland-based nonprofit supporting people with developmental disabilities through day, employment, and self-directed services funded via DDA and Medicaid waivers; highly comparable service portfolio within the same state funding framework.
• Penn-Mar Human Services: Regional nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maryland and Pennsylvania with employment, day, residential, and family services; comparable in funding mix, lifespan support, and community-inclusion focus.
• The Arc of Howard County (MD): Another Maryland Arc chapter serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with support coordination, employment, and family services; directly comparable structure, statewide DDA contracts, and nonprofit operating model.
• The Arc of Montgomery County (MD): Sister Arc chapter in neighboring Montgomery County, Maryland offering an essentially identical portfolio of support coordination, employment, day, and family services for people with developmental disabilities through DDA funding; directly comparable in mission, funding model, and service lines.
• Community Living, Inc. Residential services nonprofit spun off from The Arc of Frederick County in 1979 and now co-located with it; provides residential and day supports funded through the same Maryland DDA system for people with developmental disabilities.
• Service Coordination, Inc. Nonprofit spun off from The Arc of Frederick County in 2006 specifically to deliver DDA support coordination; operates in adjacent geographies with the same funding pathway and service definition, making it a like-for-like peer for the support coordination line of business.
• Melwood: Large Maryland-based nonprofit providing employment, day, and residential supports for people with developmental disabilities, with social enterprises (horticulture, staffing) analogous to Marcia's Bakery and The Arc at Market Street; directly comparable in mission and operating model.
• The Arc of Maryland: Statewide Arc affiliate to which The Arc of Frederick County belongs; provides advocacy, training, and chapter-coordination services for developmental disability providers across Maryland; closely mirrors mission and stakeholder base.

Broad incumbents

• Chimes: Large multi-state provider of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities including employment, day, residential, and behavioral supports; shares the same DDA/Medicaid funding structures in Maryland but operates across a much broader geography and program portfolio.
• The Arc of the United States: National umbrella organization to which The Arc of Frederick County is affiliated; sets advocacy positions, training, and chapter standards across the local Arc network, making it the natural top-of-funnel comparable on positioning and brand authority.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TheArcFC
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArcFrederick
• Instagraminstagram.com/thearcfrederickcounty
• Xx.com/ArcFC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-arc-of-frederick-county

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 The ARC of Frederick County