Community Link

What Community Link does

Community Link, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Breese, Illinois, founded in 1972 (with operations beginning in 1971 as Clinton County Rehabilitation Center, Inc.). The organization provides services to adults with developmental disabilities across Clinton, Madison, St. Clair, and surrounding counties in Southern Illinois, serving more than 225 participants annually through two core program pillars: Adult Day Services (developmental training at three locations in Breese East, Breese West, and Fairview Heights Metro) and Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA), which operate eight small residential group homes (4-8 residents each) in Breese, Aviston, Carlyle, Germantown, and Trenton offering 24-hour supports. The Red Porch Cafe, operated in partnership with Clinton Manor, extends service delivery into a social-enterprise job training model.

The organization employs 150+ staff across multiple sites and supplements its service portfolio with volunteer programs, a quarterly Family and Friends Support Group, and a Participant Advisory Council. Revenue is generated through three primary streams: Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) fee-for-service reimbursement for day and residential services, charitable donations (including the monthly GEMs Club, memorial and planned giving, and Amazon Gift Lists), and special events led by the annual Buddy Walk (ranked #1 in Illinois, contributing 2.5% of proceeds to the National Down Syndrome Society) and the Rockin' the Possibilities Gala supporting the Special Needs Foundation endowment. Corporate and community sponsors include Poettker Construction, The Republic of Tea, Dairy King, Bradford National Bank, FCB Banks, and Boeing.

Community Link is accredited by CARF International (three-year accreditation awarded May 2026 in Community Integration and Organizational Employment Services), holds Candid Platinum Transparency 2026, and is a United Way member agency. Strategic priorities evident in 2025-2026 activity include regulatory advocacy (testimony supporting Illinois HB 4179 and the Dignity in Pay Act), operational investments in transportation capacity and accessibility, and ongoing fundraising growth. The organization has no proprietary technology product and operates as a traditional service-delivery nonprofit rather than a technology-enabled platform.

Name

Community Link

Legal name

Community Link, Inc.

Website

https://commlink.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Community Link is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving 225+ adults with developmental disabilities in Southern Illinois through day programs at three locations, eight CILA residential group homes, and job-training at The Red Porch Cafe, funded primarily by Illinois DHS and community fundraising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGACAG

Disability Services & Independent Living Support

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGAEAL

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Residential group homes
• Adult day programs
• Vocational job training
• Nonprofit human services

Headquarters

HQ city

Breese

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Community Link's day programs and residential services are primarily funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS). Services are provided on a fee-for-service basis where the organization submits hours attended and receives reimbursement from DHS.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The organization receives charitable donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations through various programs including the GEMs monthly giving club, memorial giving, planned giving, and one-time gifts.
3. Special Events: Annual fundraising events including the Buddy Walk and Gala generate significant revenue. The 2026 Gala raised over $110,000 and the 2025 Buddy Walk raised over $180,000.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Community Link is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides person-centered day programs and 24-hour Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) residential services to adults (18+) with developmental disabilities in Southern Illinois. Programs are delivered at three day-training locations and eight neighborhood-based CILA homes, supplemented by job-training opportunities at The Red Porch Cafe. Services are reimbursed primarily by the Illinois Department of Human Services, with private-pay options for unfunded individuals.

Product overview

Community Link operates as a nonprofit organization providing services to adults with developmental disabilities in Clinton County and surrounding areas of Illinois. The organization offers a portfolio of programs organized around two core service pillars: Adult Day Services (developmental training and vocational supports) and Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA - residential group homes). Supporting these core programs are fundraising and community engagement initiatives including the annual Buddy Walk and Rockin' the Possibilities Gala, managed through the Special Needs Foundation endowment. Additional services include The Red Porch Cafe (job training cafe), volunteer coordination, family support groups, and the GEMs monthly giving program. The organization serves over 225 adults across multiple locations including Breese, Fairview Heights, Aviston, Carlyle, Germantown, and Trenton, and employs over 150 staff. Community Link is accredited by CARF and is a United Way member agency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Special Needs Foundation for Community Link: A separate 501(c)(3) organization formed in 2004 by parents and families of Community Link participants. Created endowment fund in 2017 to broaden Community Link's opportunities for legacy donations and provide additional giving options.

Products and services

• Adult Day Services (Day Programs) Person-centered, individualized day programs for adults 18 and older with developmental disabilities offering life-skills training, vocational training, and work supports at three locations (Breese East, Breese West, and Fairview Heights Metro). Funded primarily through Illinois DHS fee-for-service hours billing for participants with Award Letters.
• Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA) Residential Services Small group homes of 4-8 residents providing 24-hour residential supports for adults with developmental disabilities in neighborhood settings across Clinton County. Each home is staffed to deliver person-centered daily living, community integration, and behavioral supports.
• The Red Porch Cafe Community cafe located at 301 E. Hanover Street, New Baden, Illinois, operated in partnership with Clinton Manor as a vocational training venue for Community Link participants, serving espresso drinks, coffee, tea, soda, and food. Functions as a training ground that has resulted in direct hires, including two participants becoming part-time baristas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 225 adults with developmental disabilities served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• FCB BanksminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 April 2026Multi-Platinum sponsor of the Rockin' the Possibilities Gala with a $2,500 gift to support Community Link participants.
• HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital BreeseminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 October 2025Presenting sponsor of the 2025 Buddy Walk with a $2,500 contribution in support of individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Knights of Columbus - Niemeyer AgencycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 September 2025Presenting sponsor of the Buddy Walk. Jeff Niemeyer served on the Board of Directors from 2019-2025 and founded the agency.
• Bradford National BankminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 July 2025Presenting sponsor for the 2025 Buddy Walk with a $2,500 donation, helping the organization reach halfway of their $150,000 goal.
• BoeingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Awarded a $16,000 grant to Community Link to support improvements at the Metro location, including disability-accessible swings and outdoor tables.
• Excel Bottling CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 March 2018Community Link partnered with Excel Bottling Company to create 'Sweetest Mile' - a signature strawberry lemonade soda for the Buddy Walk. A portion of sales is donated to Community Link. This partnership has continued annually since 2018.
• Poettker ConstructioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the Buddy Walk and ongoing community partner. Poettker Construction has been a longtime supporter providing sponsorships, volunteer time, and community engagement including hosting the Easter Egg Hunt for participants.
• The Republic of TeacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Republic of Tea is a progressive, socially conscious company and presenting sponsor. They have also hired Community Link participants to work at their facility, demonstrating employment partnership.
• Dairy KingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the 2025 Buddy Walk and Full House Sponsor of the Gala. Dairy King welcomed Community Link participants for behind-the-scenes tours and is a community partner for the second year.
• Clinton ManorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Link partnered with Clinton Manor to create The Red Porch cafe, which provides job training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves18 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Life's Vision: Midwest-based nonprofit providing residential and day services to adults with developmental disabilities. Comparable scale and mission alignment with Community Link.
• Mosaic: National nonprofit providing residential, day, and employment supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Closely comparable service model and emphasis on community integration.
• Benchmark Human Services: National nonprofit providing residential, day, and employment services for individuals with I/DD. Highly comparable operating model with community-based group homes.
• UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago: Illinois nonprofit providing residential, day, and employment services to people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Operates a comparable CILA-style program model.
• Trinity Services: Illinois nonprofit offering CILA residential homes, developmental training, and employment supports across multiple counties. Closest geographic and operational analog to Community Link.
• Misericordia: Chicago-based nonprofit providing residential, day program, and employment services to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Direct operating model overlap with Community Link's CILA and day services.
• RHA Health Services: Multi-state provider of residential, day, and behavioral health services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Operates a comparable CILA-equivalent model.

Broad incumbents

• The Arc of Illinois: Statewide advocacy and service organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable mission and Illinois footprint, though broader advocacy remit versus Community Link's direct service focus.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit disability services network with Illinois affiliates offering residential, day, and employment programs. Overlaps with Community Link's service lines at greater scale and brand recognition.

Regional players

• Pathways of Southwestern Illinois: Southwestern Illinois nonprofit serving individuals with developmental disabilities through residential and day programs in a neighboring service region to Community Link.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CommLinkInc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/commlink1972
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Community-Link/206882929385680
• Instagraminstagram.com/communitylink1972
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-link-inc

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Community Link