What Desert Arc does

Desert Arc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit human services organization founded in 1959 and headquartered in Palm Desert, California, that operates a dual-mission model combining disability services with fee-generating business enterprises. The organization serves approximately 700 adults ages 18 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities — including diagnoses such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and Epilepsy — across Riverside County and the Morongo Basin of San Bernardino County, with a more recent expansion into Palo Verde Valley. Client programs encompass Adult Day Centers, Behavior Management Programs, Independent Living Skills, Supported Living, Pathways to Employment, and curb-to-curb Transportation Services, delivered from campuses in Palm Desert, Yucca Valley, and Indio, plus community-based settings.

The business services arm functions as a social enterprise employing clients while generating revenue through five distinct service lines: certified high-security mobile and off-site document shredding (NAID-certified), e-waste and materials recycling (Cal Recycle CEW#114349 and DTSC EPA#CAL000395161), commercial and residential janitorial services, commercial landscape maintenance including desertscape design and turf conversion (CA License #1021561), and order fulfillment and assembly services. Business customers include HOAs, property managers, commercial businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits, reached through direct outreach, referrals, testimonials, and community reputation across the Coachella Valley.

Desert Arc's revenue mechanics are diversified across three streams: fee-for-service revenue from the five business divisions, government contracts and referrals through Inland Regional Center and California Department of Developmental Services, and charitable donations supporting programs not funded by the state, such as a Health Care Program staffed by two full-time Licensed Vocational Nurses and a Community Connections Program. The organization is led by President/CEO Michelle Peters following the January 31, 2025 retirement of Richard Balocco, who had led the organization for 17 years. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors chaired by Doug Watson, with the broader executive team including a CFO, VP of Client Services, VP of HR, VP of Business Development, VP of Development, and VP of Information and Digital Strategy.

Name

Desert Arc

Legal name

Desert Arc

Website

https://desertarc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Desert Arc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1959 that serves approximately 700 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Riverside County and the Morongo Basin through client programs and five social-enterprise business divisions: shredding, recycling, janitorial, landscaping, and fulfillment services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services & Mission-Driven Business Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Hazardous Waste Management (4955)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

Keywords

• Disability services
• Document shredding
• E-waste recycling
• Commercial janitorial
• Landscape maintenance

Headquarters

HQ city

Palm Desert

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Business Services Revenue: Desert Arc generates revenue through multiple business service divisions including shredding services (mobile and drop-off), recycling services (e-waste and materials), janitorial services (commercial and residential), landscape maintenance (commercial and desertscape design), and fulfillment/assembly services. These enterprises employ clients while providing business services to the community.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Desert Arc relies on financial donations from the public to support vital programs not funded by the State of California, including the Health Care Program with two full-time Licensed Vocational Nurses and the Community Connections Program.
3. Government Contracts and Regional Center Funding: Desert Arc receives funding through partnerships with Inland Regional Center and California Department of Developmental Services to provide services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Desert Arc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers disability support programs (Adult Day, Behavior Management, Independent Living Skills, Supported Living, Employment, Transportation) to approximately 700 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Riverside County and the Morongo Basin. It also operates five business service lines—NAID-certified mobile shredding, certified e-waste and materials recycling, commercial and residential janitorial, commercial landscaping and desertscape design, and order fulfillment/assembly—whose primary purpose is to provide employment and skill-building opportunities for its clients while serving commercial and residential customers.

Product overview

Desert Arc is a nonprofit human services organization offering a portfolio of business services and client programs. The business services arm includes five distinct service lines: Shredding Services (mobile and off-site document destruction with NAID certification), Recycling Services (materials and e-waste recycling), Janitorial Services (commercial and residential cleaning), Landscape Maintenance (commercial landscaping and desertscape design), and Fulfillment & Assembly (packaging and order fulfillment). The client services division provides programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Adult Day Program, Behavior Management Program, Independent Living Skills, Supported Living, Employment Services, and Transportation Services. The organization serves approximately 700 individuals throughout Riverside County and the Morongo Basin of San Bernardino County.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shredding Services Certified, high-security mobile and off-site document shredding for commercial and residential customers, including hard drive destruction, with Certificate of Destruction. NAID-certified and serving businesses, HOAs, and government agencies across the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin.
• Recycling Services State-certified recycling of electronic waste, appliances, metals, cardboard, books, and magazines, free of charge for both commercial and residential customers, with free Certificates of Destruction or Recycling provided.
• Janitorial Services Professional janitorial services for commercial and residential properties, including office cleaning, vacation rental concierge, pressure washing, HOA common-area maintenance, event setup/breakdown, and move-in/move-out cleaning. Trained, background-checked crews for HOAs and property managers.
• Landscape Maintenance Commercial landscaping for HOAs, property managers, owners, and public agencies, including desertscape design and installation, turf conversion for water conservation, and irrigation installation, repair, and maintenance. Operates under CA Contractor License #1021561.
• Fulfillment & Assembly Order fulfillment division performing large or small assembly, packaging, and fulfillment jobs for businesses and government agencies, including packaging, labeling, mail and shipping, lanyard design/assembly, sorting, laminating, collating, and shrink wrapping.
• Adult Day Program Day program for adults age 18+ with intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering an enhanced staff-to-client ratio and person-centered support with daily living activities, pre-vocational training, volunteerism, arts and leisure, and self-advocacy skill building.
• Behavior Management Program Specialized support and training for individuals with behavioral barriers, offering activities that develop positive social skills while reducing negative behavioral incidents, delivered in on-site and community settings.
• Independent Living Skills

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves approximately 700 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities)coreOthersCARF accreditation signifies that Desert Arc meets internationally recognized standards for quality and continuous improvement in disability services. CARF is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services providers.
• California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)coreOthersState agency that oversees services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Desert Arc receives referrals and operates under DDS guidelines and funding.
• Inland Regional CentercoreOthersRegional center that coordinates services for individuals with developmental disabilities in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Primary referral source for Desert Arc clients.
• Disability Rights CaliforniasupportingOthersAdvocacy organization protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities in California. Partner in ensuring client rights and compliance.
• State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)supportingOthersState council advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in California.
• Cal RecyclecoreOthersCalifornia's authority on recycling and waste management. Desert Arc is a fully certified e-waste collector (CEW#114349) through Cal Recycle.
• Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC)coreOthersCalifornia state agency regulating hazardous waste. Desert Arc holds EPA#CAL000395161 certification for e-waste handling.
• The Arc of CaliforniasupportingOthersState chapter of the national Arc organization advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• National Association for Information Destruction (NAID)coreTechnology or IntegrationNAID certification ensures Desert Arc's shredding services adhere to stringent regulations and undergo unannounced equipment and operation inspections by qualified third parties, maintaining higher standard of excellence.
• iSIGMAsupportingTechnology or IntegrationProfessional association for information security and destruction professionals, supporting industry standards and best practices.
• Cities of Palm Desert, Indio, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, La QuintacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesert Arc is a designated recycler with multiple Coachella Valley cities, providing community recycling services under municipal partnerships.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PRIDE Industries: California-based nonprofit social enterprise employing people with disabilities across manufacturing, logistics, and facility services. Directly comparable to Desert Arc's Fulfillment & Assembly and janitorial divisions in terms of mission-driven B2B services.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including employment programs, day services, and supported living. Operates a comparable portfolio of community-based programs for adults with IDD alongside revenue-generating activities.
• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit social enterprise operating revenue-generating business divisions (retail, staffing, recycling) that employ people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Closest comparable to Desert Arc's dual-mission model combining business services with disability employment.
• SourceAmerica (AbilityOne): FederalAbilityOne-designated nonprofit that creates employment for people with disabilities through government contracts. Comparable in its use of business service contracts (janitorial, landscaping, shredding-like services) as the employment vehicle.
• The Arc of the United States: National federation of nonprofit chapters serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Desert Arc is itself a member (The Arc of California), sharing the same mission focus, advocacy posture, and service-line structure (day programs, supported living, employment).
• MERS Missouri Goodwill: Regional Goodwill chapter operating business services (staffing, janitorial, document destruction) that employ people with disabilities. Closely mirrors Desert Arc's combination of regional social enterprise + B2B service revenue.
• Chrysalis Enterprises: California-based nonprofit social enterprise employing people facing barriers (including disabilities) through staffing, janitorial, and light manufacturing services. Operates a similar dual-mission B2B services model in California.

Broad incumbents

• Iron Mountain: Global information management and secure shredding provider. Competes in the same commercial document destruction market as Desert Arc, especially with larger Coachella Valley enterprise accounts, though with broader service portfolio and no social mission.
• Shred-it (Stericycle): Largest North American secure information destruction company with national NAID-certified mobile shredding operations. Direct competitor to Desert Arc's shredding division but operates at vastly greater scale without the disability-employment mission overlay.

Regional players

• LifeStream Services (formerly known as New Star): California-based disability services nonprofit providing day programs, supported living, and employment services. Comparable mission and program mix to Desert Arc's client services division, primarily serving other Southern California regions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fdesertarc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCf0zH3M3ZbpXNM2PQuyjrIA
• Facebookfacebook.com/DesertArc
• Instagraminstagram.com/desert_arc/?hl=en

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 Desert Arc