Benchmarks
Benchmarks NC is a Raleigh-based nonprofit trade alliance of 40+ nationally accredited member agencies delivering behavioral health, child welfare, I/DD, and residential services across North Carolina, convening providers, NC DHHS, and Medicaid MCOs around policy, training, and standardized assessment programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersRaleigh, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Benchmarks does
Benchmarks (also branded Benchmarks NC) is a Raleigh, North Carolina-based nonprofit association and trade alliance of nationally accredited agencies delivering behavioral health, child welfare, intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and residential support services. The organization serves as the convening body for 40+ accredited member agencies, maintains a stakeholder network of 7,000+ and a listserv of 8,000+ recipients, and engages directly with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS), county Departments of Social Services (DSS), and the NC General Assembly on Medicaid, behavioral health, and I/DD policy. Its leadership team includes President and CEO Karen McLeod, COO Tara Fields, and lobbyist Logan Martin.
The association's product surface consists of four principal programmatic lines: Partnering for Excellence (PFE), a trauma-informed care initiative; the Standardized Assessment Pilot (SAP), which standardizes clinical and functional assessments across member agencies; Partnering for Community Prosperity (PFCP), focused on broader community economic and social outcomes; and NCADSP-related workforce development targeting the Direct Support Professional workforce. Underpinning these programs is the Corporate Partnership Program, which has onboarded North Carolina's major Medicaid managed care organizations (Aetna, AmeriHealth Caritas, Healthy Blue, Molina, UnitedHealthcare, Carolina Complete Health) as corporate sponsors.
Benchmarks' business model is a non-dues-multi-stream association model: revenue is generated from tiered full and affiliate membership dues paid by accredited provider agencies, corporate partner sponsorships at disclosed ranges of approximately $1,200-$2,000 annually, and per-attendee training and event fees ranging from $20 to $110. The organization headcount is 11-50 employees. The model is sustained primarily by member retention, accreditation-gated expansion of the membership base, and deepening engagement with NC DHHS and the major Medicaid MCOs serving the state.
Benchmarks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Benchmarks
- Legal name
- Benchmarks
- Website
- https://benchmarksnc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Benchmarks NC is a Raleigh-based nonprofit trade alliance of 40+ nationally accredited member agencies delivering behavioral health, child welfare, I/DD, and residential services across North Carolina, convening providers, NC DHHS, and Medicaid MCOs around policy, training, and standardized assessment programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Benchmarks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Non-Profit Behavioral Health Association
- NAICS
- Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Child and Youth Services (624110), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Health Quality Measurement & Performance Benchmarking (HLAJAJAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Workforce Development & Training Grants (Public Health) (HLAJALAM), Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants (BPADAOAF), Psychometric Test Publishing & Norming / Validation Services (BPACAMAG), Parent & Caregiver Training for LD/Dyslexia Support (EDAKAJAJ)
Keywords
Where Benchmarks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Raleigh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Benchmarks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Full Membership Dues: Non-profit and for-profit agencies that provide child welfare, mental health, intellectual/developmental disability, substance use or related services in North Carolina pay annual membership dues to join Benchmarks, gaining access to legislative advocacy, training discounts, member-only meetings, and working committees.
- Affiliate Membership Dues: Individuals or businesses not eligible for full membership pay annual dues of $7,500 to join as affiliates, receiving legislative updates, free display opportunities at events, discounts to meetings, and marketing recognition.
- Corporate Partnership Sponsorships: Level One Corporate Sponsorship at $2,000 annually and Level Two at $1,200 annually provide businesses exposure to Benchmarks' network through website listings, email marketing, event displays, and listserv access.
- Training Fees: Benchmarks offers both online and face-to-face training programs for member agencies and professionals. Individual training courses range from $20-$110 per person with 25% discounts for members. Programs include CMS Core Competencies, Motivational Interviewing, Day Treatment Services, and more.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Full Membership for agencies providing child welfare, mental health, I/DD, substance use services |
| Subscription | Annual | Affiliate Membership for individuals or businesses allied to behavioral health professions |
| Subscription | Annual | Level One Corporate Sponsorship - Annual $2,000 |
| Subscription | Annual | Level Two Corporate Sponsorship - Annual $1,200 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Training Courses - Per Person Pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Benchmarks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Benchmarks is a non-profit association of nationally accredited provider agencies that delivers a broad continuum of behavioral health, child welfare, intellectual/developmental disability, and substance use services in North Carolina. Its core offerings include advocacy and lobbying before the state legislature and NC DHHS, professional training programs (online and face-to-face), and quality improvement initiatives such as Partnering for Excellence, the Standardized Assessment Pilot, and Partnering for Community Prosperity. Revenue is generated through annual membership dues, affiliate and corporate sponsorships, and training fees.
Product overview
Benchmarks is a non-profit association of provider agencies, not a technology product company. Its offerings consist of advocacy services, professional training programs (Online Training Library and Face-to-Face Training), research and quality improvement initiatives through its Center for Quality Integration, and membership programs. Key programs include Partnering for Excellence (PFE), the Standardized Assessment Pilot (SAP), Partnering for Community Prosperity (PFCP), and the North Carolina Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NCADSP). The organization also provides corporate partnership opportunities and maintains a job board for member agencies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Full Membership Program Annual membership for accredited provider agencies delivering child welfare, mental health, intellectual/developmental disability, or substance use services in North Carolina, providing legislative advocacy, training discounts, member-only meetings, and direct access to NC DHHS leadership.
- Affiliate Membership Annual membership at $7,500 for individuals or businesses allied to behavioral health, child welfare, I/DD, or substance use professions who are not eligible for full membership, offering legislative updates, event display opportunities, and marketing access to the Benchmarks network.
- Corporate Partnership Program Two-tiered corporate sponsorship program (Level One at $2,000/year, Level Two at $1,200/year) providing businesses with marketing exposure to Benchmarks' network through website listings, email marketing to over 8,000 list recipients, event displays, and co-sponsorship opportunities.
- Online Training Library A digital learning platform offering self-paced online courses for professionals in child welfare, mental health, and related fields, with individual course pricing of $20–$110 per person and a 25% member discount. Courses include CMS Core Competencies, Motivational Interviewing, Day Treatment Services, Crisis Prevention, and trauma-informed care.
- Face-to-Face Training In-person training sessions for child welfare, mental health, and behavioral health professionals covering topics including Adult Learning Principles, Child Welfare, Community Resilience Model, Cultural Competency, Person-Centered Thinking, Supportive Supervision, and Trauma & Resilience. Available upon request for member agencies and partners.
- Center for Quality Integration (CQI) An internal division focused on systems integration, social determinants of health research, trauma-informed care implementation, health information exchange analytics, and grant writing to improve service delivery for members and communities across North Carolina.
- Partnering for Excellence (PFE) A trauma-informed community initiative that redesigns local child welfare and behavioral health systems to improve outcomes for children and families by aligning DSS, MCO, provider, and community processes around standardized trauma screening and assessment. Demonstrated outcome: up to 44% Medicaid cost reduction per child 12 months post-DSS custody entry.
- Standardized Assessment Pilot (SAP) A pilot program ensuring every youth entering foster care receives standardized, trauma-informed screening and assessment for appropriate diagnosis and service provision, working in collaboration with Managed Care Organizations and DSS partners across North Carolina counties.
- Partnering for Community Prosperity (PFCP) A community-level initiative addressing root causes of economic disparities and health outcomes by convening cross-system partners to realign resources toward community prosperity through school partnerships, trauma-informed approaches, and comprehensive service provision in North Carolina.
- NCADSP (North Carolina Alliance for Direct Support Professionals) A state chapter of NADSP hosted by Benchmarks, focused on enhancing the quality of support for children, adults, and families through certifications, training, career pathways, and systems reform that elevate Direct Support Professionals' status and advance their knowledge, skills, and values.
Quantifiable outcome
- Medicaid cost reduction of up to 44% per child 12 months after entering DSS custody through Partnering for Excellence early intervention screening and assessment program.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Benchmarks
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Benchmarks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Benchmarks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Aetna (CVS Health)coreAetna, a CVS Health company, is an affiliate member of Benchmarks. They share a common purpose of bringing heart to every moment of health and serve as a healthcare payer partner in Benchmarks' ecosystem.
- AmeriHealth CaritascoreAmeriHealth Caritas is a mission-based managed care organization and affiliate member partnering with Benchmarks. They emphasize preventive care, health maintenance, and community outreach programs for North Carolina Medicaid members.
- Healthy Blue (Blue Cross NC)coreHealthy Blue is Blue Cross NC's health plan for Medicaid members. They partner with Benchmarks and NC DHHS on the Children and Families Specialty Plan (CFSP) to support Medicaid-enrolled infants, children, youth, and families served by the child welfare system.
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North CarolinacoreUnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina is a health benefits company dedicated to providing diversified solutions for economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without employer-funded health care coverage.
- Molina Healthcare of North CarolinacoreMolina Healthcare of North Carolina is excited for the opportunity to partner with Benchmarks to serve North Carolina communities for Standard Plan enrollees.
- Carolina Complete HealthcoreCarolina Complete Health is a partnership between the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) and Centene Corporation delivering quality healthcare to low income populations in North Carolina.
- Collaborative Health NetworkcoreCHN is a provider-owned statewide network of North Carolina providers focused on improving quality of care and reducing costs. They create strong partnerships with NC DHHS, payors, and providers across the healthcare continuum.
- Foster Family Alliance of North CarolinacoreFoster Family Alliance of North Carolina is a nonprofit organization started by current foster parents to prevent parental burnout and turnover by providing access to vital information and resources.
- Rapid Resource for FamiliescoreSince 2010, Rapid Resource for Families has worked collaboratively with Benchmarks' network of provider agencies to provide treatment for children in family-based settings.
- Amivie (formerly Community Based Care)coreLevel One Corporate Partner providing home and community-based services across the country. Supports people in their homes with individualized support needs to achieve best health and fullest lives.
- CARF InternationalcoreLevel One Corporate Partner providing accreditation services worldwide for health and human service providers. Benchmarks members receive a discount on accreditation services from CARF.
- ReliascoreLevel One Corporate Partner advancing healthcare talent and measurably improving outcomes. Provides recruiting, staffing, learning & performance, and compliance management solutions for healthcare organizations.
- Therap ServicescoreLevel One Corporate Partner providing web-based integrated solutions for documentation, reporting, and communication needs of agencies providing support to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs, and other support services.
- Sunlight (formerly Your Case Plan)coreLevel One Corporate Partner providing family-centered communication for child welfare cases through a HIPAA-compliant platform connecting families with their care teams.
- QualifactscoreLevel Two Corporate Partner and leading provider of electronic health record (EHR) software for behavioral health and human services organizations. Serves more than 2,700 organizations across all 50 states including 33% of CCBHCs.
- Baker DonelsonminorLevel Two Corporate Partner with over 200 attorneys serving the healthcare industry. Provides legal services including hospitals, health systems, long term care providers, and ambulatory surgery centers.
- KCarecoreLevel Two Corporate Partner providing case management, EHR, and analytics solutions for social service agencies through its extendedReach, Exym, and Stabilify platforms.
- Council on Accreditation (COA)coreCommunity Partner providing international, independent, not-for-profit child and family-service and behavioral healthcare accrediting services. Benchmarks members receive a discount on accreditation services.
- National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP)coreNCADSP (North Carolina Alliance for Direct Support Professionals) is a State Chapter of NADSP. Benchmarks hosts NCADSP to enhance quality of support for children, adults and families through certifications, training, and systems reform.
- NC DHHS (NC Department of Health and Human Services)coreBenchmarks maintains a strong, proactive partnership with NC DHHS to improve outcomes for children, adults and families through high quality, research-based services. Provides input on policy and fiscal issues.
- Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)coreThrough Partnering for Excellence and Partnering for Community Prosperity, Benchmarks works with MCOs to implement trauma-informed practices, standardized assessments, and community prosperity initiatives.
- NC County DSS AgenciescoreBenchmarks partners with Department of Social Services agencies across North Carolina counties through PFE pilot projects, standardized assessment protocols, and trauma-informed care implementation.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Benchmarks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- National Council on Independent Living (NCIL): National advocacy organization advancing independent living and disability rights; tangentially comparable to Benchmarks given the shared focus on I/DD, community-based services, and policy advocacy for vulnerable populations.
Broad incumbents
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW): National professional association for social workers offering continuing education, credentialing, and advocacy; comparable to Benchmarks in providing training, policy advocacy, and quality standards for behavioral health and child welfare professionals.
- Child Welfare League of America (CWLA): National nonprofit association for child welfare and behavioral health agencies providing training, accreditation support, and policy advocacy — highly comparable to Benchmarks' child welfare, training, and accreditation-aligned member services.
- National Council for Mental Wellbeing: National membership association representing mental health and substance use provider organizations, very similar to Benchmarks in advocacy, training, and quality-improvement mission, but operating at a national scale rather than a single state.
- Mental Health America: National community-based nonprofit addressing mental health through advocacy, education, and public screening; a comparable mission to Benchmarks' quality measurement and public education work, but at a national scale.
- National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD): Association representing state public mental health system leaders, with a shared policy advocacy, training, and quality-improvement focus analogous to Benchmarks' convening role with NC DHHS and member agencies.
Direct peers
- NAMI North Carolina: State affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness providing advocacy, education, and support for individuals and families affected by mental illness; comparable to Benchmarks in its NC footprint, advocacy role, and member mobilization.
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW) - North Carolina Chapter: State-level professional association for social workers that delivers continuing education, advocacy, and policy engagement closely aligned with Benchmarks' training and policy advocacy work in North Carolina.
- National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD): Membership association providing training, certification, and policy advocacy for providers serving individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health needs — a constituency Benchmarks specifically serves through its I/DD member agencies.
- National Association of Children's Residential Centers (NACRC): Membership association for residential child welfare providers focused on training, advocacy, and quality standards — directly comparable to Benchmarks' residential support services and child welfare member agency mix.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Benchmarks social profiles
Digital presenceBenchmarks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Benchmarks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Benchmarks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Benchmarks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Benchmarks
What does Benchmarks do?
Benchmarks is a non-profit association of nationally accredited provider agencies that delivers a broad continuum of behavioral health, child welfare, intellectual/developmental disability, and substance use services in North Carolina. Its core offerings include advocacy and lobbying before the state legislature and NC DHHS, professional training programs (online and face-to-face), and quality improvement initiatives such as Partnering for Excellence, the Standardized Assessment Pilot, and Partnering for Community Prosperity. Revenue is generated through annual membership dues, affiliate and corporate sponsorships, and training fees.
Is Benchmarks a public or private company?
Benchmarks is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Benchmarks founded?
Benchmarks was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Benchmarks based?
Benchmarks is headquartered in Raleigh, United States, in the North America region.
How does Benchmarks make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Full Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are affiliate Membership Dues, corporate Partnership Sponsorships and training Fees.
Who are Benchmarks's main competitors?
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Mental Health America and National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD). Direct peers are NAMI North Carolina, National Association of Social Workers (NASW) - North Carolina Chapter, National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD) and National Association of Children's Residential Centers (NACRC).
Does Benchmarks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Benchmarks.
What industry is Benchmarks in?
Benchmarks's product category is Non-Profit Behavioral Health Association. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJAJAL, Public Health Quality Measurement & Performance Benchmarking, with a secondary code of HLAJALAM, Workforce Development & Training Grants (Public Health). Its NAICS code is 8133 and its SIC code is 8300.