Lifehouse...Serving People with Developmental Disabilities

What Lifehouse...Serving People with Developmental Disabilities does

Lifehouse is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1954 and headquartered in San Rafael, California, that provides lifetime support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across San Francisco, Marin, and Sonoma Counties. The organization operates nine group homes with varying levels of acuity — including around-the-clock care for individuals with profound disabilities and transition-oriented homes for skill-building — and runs the largest Supported Living Services (SLS) program in California, supporting 200+ individuals living independently in their own homes. Lifehouse also delivers Independent Living Skills (ILS) training, three Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF/DDH) for non-verbal and wheelchair-bound residents, a Prader Willi Syndrome specialized program (first in Marin County), the RecLife recreation program for teens and young adults, and the Great Expectations inclusive preschool operated in partnership with Marin County Office of Education and Dominican University. In total, the organization serves over 360 individuals and employs 251–500 staff across its San Rafael headquarters and a Petaluma North Bay office.

The business model is a hybrid of government-contracted service delivery and philanthropic funding. The majority of operating revenue flows through the Golden Gate Regional Center, which administers State and Medicaid (Medi-Cal) funding under Individual Program Plans; a smaller private-pay stream exists. Philanthropy supplements the budget via individual and corporate donations, AmazonSmile/GoodSearch affiliate giving, branded merchandise, planned giving, and signature events — most notably the annual Great Chefs & Wineries fundraiser, which raised over $800,000 in 2024. Lifehouse also operates a multi-year Home for Life capital campaign to fund a renovated permanent headquarters. Services are accessed through Regional Center referrals, direct family inquiries, and community outreach, with a new-customer journey coordinated by the Director of Programs and Operations. Reported program efficiency is $0.90 of every donated dollar directed to program support. The organization has been voted Best Disability Service in Marin County for five consecutive years and is GuideStar Transparency Seal verified.

Name

Lifehouse...Serving People with Developmental Disabilities

Legal name

Lifehouse

Website

https://lifehouseagency.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Lifehouse is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1954 that provides lifetime residential, supported living, and community support services to over 360 individuals with developmental disabilities across the San Francisco, Marin, and Sonoma County region, funded primarily through California's Regional Center and Medicaid system supplemented by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Developmental Disability Support Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI), Live-In Special Needs & Inclusive Childcare (HSAAAEAJ), Live-In & 24/7 In-Home Care (HLADAGAI)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Supported living services
• Residential group homes
• Independent living skills
• Nonprofit disability support

Headquarters

HQ city

San Rafael

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (Medicaid/Medi-Cal via Regional Centers): Lifehouse receives the majority of its funding through State and Medicaid funding distributed via the Golden Gate Regional Center. This funds approved services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
2. Donations and Philanthropy: Individual and corporate donations support Lifehouse programs, events like Great Chefs & Wineries, and the capital campaign for a permanent headquarters. The organization raised over $800,000 at Great Chefs & Wineries 2024.
3. Private Pay: Lifehouse accepts private pay clients in addition to those funded through Regional Centers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Lifehouse provides residential and community-based support services for people with developmental disabilities, including nine group homes, Supported Living Services (SLS), Independent Living Services (ILS), Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF/DDH), a Prader Willi Syndrome specialized program, and the RecLife recreation program. Founded in 1954, Lifehouse serves over 360 individuals across San Francisco, Marin, and Sonoma Counties, funded primarily through State/Medicaid funding via the Golden Gate Regional Center, donations, and private pay.

Product overview

Lifehouse is a nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive suite of services for people with developmental disabilities. The organization operates a single-platform, multi-service model centered on residential and community-based support programs. Core offerings include nine group homes, Supported Living Services (SLS), Independent Living Services (ILS), and Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF/DDH). Additional programs include the RecLife recreation program for teens and young adults, the Great Expectations inclusive preschool (in partnership with MCOE and Dominican University), a Prader Willi Syndrome specialized program, and the A Full Life video series produced with Humans Being Media. The organization also operates a merchandise store with proceeds supporting services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Group Homes Nine group homes serving individuals with developmental disabilities across San Francisco, Marin, and Sonoma Counties. Some homes offer around-the-clock care for individuals with profound developmental disabilities, while others serve as a transition to independent living with training in cooking, money management, transportation, time management, and other basic living skills.
• Supported Living Services (SLS) Customized staff-supported independent living for individuals with developmental disabilities in their own homes or apartments. Lifehouse supports more than 200 individuals through SLS, making it the largest program of its kind in California.
• Independent Living Services (ILS) Support services and training for adults with developmental disabilities to develop living and social skills needed for independent living, including training in mobility, shopping, meal preparation, financial management, and personal care.
• Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF/DDH) Intensive support services for individuals who may need medical, physical, or occupational therapies. Includes Stonehaven House and Nova House, providing care for non-verbal and/or wheelchair-bound individuals with severe physical and/or cognitive disabilities.
• RecLife Recreation Program Inclusive recreation and volunteer program for teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), addressing social isolation through bowling, hiking, SMART train trips, movie nights, music, and arts and crafts activities.
• Great Expectations Inclusive Preschool First inclusive preschool in Marin County, operated as a partnership between Lifehouse, Marin County Office of Education (MCOE), and Dominican University, providing inclusive early childhood education for preschool-age children.
• A Full Life Video Series Collection of inspirational videos featuring individuals supported by Lifehouse telling their own stories, filmed and produced by Humans Being Media. The series profiles residents' likes, dislikes, struggles, and triumphs.
• Prader Willi Syndrome Program First Prader Willi Syndrome program in Marin County, launched in collaboration with Prader Willi Homes of California (PWHC). Offers specialized support including 1:1 staff support, behavior consulting, and food security managed by a licensed dietitian.
• Lifehouse Merch Store Online merchandise store selling t-shirts, hoodies, and hats with Lifehouse branding. All profits go directly toward Lifehouse support services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Voted Best Disability Service in Marin County for five consecutive years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Prader Willi Homes of California (PWHC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborated with Austin and Lesley de Lone of PWHC to launch De Lone House, the first Prader Willi Syndrome program in Marin County. Provides specialized support for individuals with Prader Willi Syndrome including food security, behavioral support, and 1:1 care.
• Great Chefs & Wineries Participants (Wineries)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual signature fundraising event featuring wineries (Schramsberg Vineyards, Duckhorn Vineyards, Merry Edwards Winery, Michael Mondavi Family Wines, Williams Selyem, and 20+ others), restaurants, and beverage partners. Raised over $800,000 in 2024. Event held annually in April.
• Great Chefs & Wineries Participants (Restaurants)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured restaurants including Sushi Ran (Restaurant of the Year 2025, 23 years of partnership), Perry's Restaurants, Buckeye Roadhouse, Il Davide, Insalata's, and others providing culinary excellence to the annual Great Chefs & Wineries event.
• Golden Gate Regional CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funding and coordination partner for services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Lifehouse's SLS program was launched through an RFP to the Golden Gate Regional Center in 2003.
• Marin County Office of Education and Dominican UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to launch Great Expectations, the first Inclusive Preschool in Marin County. Collaborative between Lifehouse, MCOE, and Dominican University.
• Uesugi & Associates ArchitectsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerErin Uesugi and firm provided visionary design leadership for the renovation of Lifehouse headquarters. Recognized with Charles L. Martin Award at 2025 Annual Awards Banquet.
• Love2DanceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTara-Caprice Broadwater of Love2Dance recognized with Open Arms Award for creativity and commitment to inclusion through dance. Community sponsor and partner.
• Safeway on Nave Drive in NovatominorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmployer of the Year 2025, recognized for inclusive employment practices and support of Lifehouse employee Sallie Harrison. Justin Stuart recognized as champion.
• Linked VineyardsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJessica Link and Linked Vineyards recognized as Winery of the Year for steadfast partnership and support. Active participant in Great Chefs & Wineries events.
• Sushi RanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYoshi Tome and Sushi Ran recognized as Restaurant of the Year for 23 years of culinary excellence and generosity. Long-standing Great Chefs & Wineries participant.
• Cresalia JewelersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoe and Mary Anne Cresalia recognized with Pat Kendall Spirit of Lifehouse Award for decades of joyful generosity. Community partner and sponsor.
• Humans Being MediaminorOthersFilmed and produced the 'A Full Life' documentary series featuring inspirational videos of individuals supported by Lifehouse telling their own stories.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Best Buddies International: A nonprofit fostering friendship, employment, and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, thematically aligned but focused on social inclusion rather than residential care.
• Golden Gate Regional Center: The state-funded coordinating entity that authorizes and funds services for people with developmental disabilities in the Bay Area; a key funder and ecosystem partner rather than a competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: A large national nonprofit providing disability services including residential, day, and support programs, overlapping Lifehouse's mission at national scale.
• The Arc of the United States: A national network serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, advocacy, and support services, the broad incumbent in Lifehouse's category.
• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): A national disability services organization offering residential, independent living, and community programs for people with developmental disabilities, overlapping Lifehouse's offerings.

Direct peers

• AbleLight: A nonprofit operating group homes and community-based support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a direct model match to Lifehouse's residential services.

Regional players

• PRIDE Industries: A Northern California nonprofit focused on employment and support services for people with disabilities, adjacent to Lifehouse's community-integration and employment support work.
• Toolworks: A San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit offering supported living, independent living, and employment services for people with disabilities, closely mirroring Lifehouse's SLS/ILS model in the same region.
• Cedars of Marin: A Marin County nonprofit providing residential and day programs for adults with developmental disabilities, directly overlapping Lifehouse's core services and geography.
• Buckelew Programs: A Marin/North Bay nonprofit providing residential and community support services for people with mental health and related needs, a same-region community-care peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LifehouseAgency
• Instagraminstagram.com/lifehouseagency
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lifehouse-agency

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Lifehouse...Serving People with Developmental Disabilities