What Kulanu does

Kulanu Center for Special Services is a private non-profit organization headquartered in Cedarhurst, New York, serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the Five Towns, Long Island, and the broader New York City region. Founded in 2000, the organization operates four core programmatic lines: Kulanu Academy (a special-education school for ages 11-22 offering Academic, Vocational, and Functional Skills tracks with student-to-staff ratios of 6:1:1 to 12:1:1), Day Hab Without Walls (community-based life-skills services), Adult Career Services / Kulanu Works (vocational rehabilitation and supported employment), and Kulanu Travels (weekend and evening peer-based recreation, running 40 events annually). Instruction at the Academy is anchored in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) methodology delivered by board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs), with integrated speech, occupational, physical therapy, and counseling services provided by licensed clinicians.

The business model is a hybrid of government reimbursement (OPWDD and ACCES-VR contracts for adult Day Hab and vocational services), private-pay consulting, charitable donations, capital and recurring fundraising campaigns (Tree of Life, Kulanu Legacy Capital Campaign, Family Disaster Fund), and ancillary facility rentals (a 3,000+ sq. ft. multi-purpose room rented at $1,250 per 4-hour block for Jewish lifecycle events and community gatherings). Distribution is regional and direct: families enroll via school-district partnerships and community referrals, employer outreach builds the 100+ business vocational-partner network, and digital channels (Facebook, Instagram, kulanukids.org, Salsa CRM) drive donor and community engagement. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Mark Honigsfeld and led by Executive Director Beth Raskin, Ed.D.

Name

Kulanu

Legal name

Kulanu Center for Special Services

Website

https://kulanukids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kulanu Center for Special Services is a Cedarhurst, NY nonprofit (est. 2000) providing specialized education, day habilitation, vocational rehabilitation, and recreational services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the Five Towns, Long Island, and NYC region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education and Disability Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Instruction & Resource Support (Inclusion, Pull-Out, Co-Teaching) (EDAJAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Vocational rehabilitation programs
• Developmental disability support
• Adult day habilitation
• Applied behavior analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedarhurst

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, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Kulanu relies on charitable donations from individuals, families, and community members to support programs and services. The organization runs multiple fundraising campaigns including the Tree of Life campaign (goal of $1 million), Family Disaster Fund, and accepts general donations through its website.
2. Facility Rentals: Kulanu rents its 3,000+ square foot multi-purpose room (capacity 80-200 guests) for Jewish celebrations including Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Upsherings, Aufruf, Engagement Parties, Sheva Bracha, and birthdays. Rental includes tables, chairs, and maintenance for 4-hour events at $1,250 base rate plus additional fees.
3. Government-Funded Programs (OPWDD/ACCES-VR): Kulanu's Adult Career Services and Day Hab programs are funded through OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities) and ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services - Vocational Rehabilitation), providing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
4. Private Pay Consulting Services: Kulanu offers private pay vocational consulting and transition planning services for individuals and families seeking personalized guidance outside of agency-funded programs, including transition planning, vocational evaluations, employment coaching, and college/career readiness support.
5. Special Events and Product Sales: Annual events including the Kulanu Fair and Purim Cuisine Sale generate revenue and community engagement. Purim cards designed by participants are sold in packs ($20 for 8 cards, $54 for 24 cards).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kulanu Center for Special Services is a non-profit organization providing specialized educational, vocational, and recreational programs for individuals with special needs ages 11 through adulthood. Its core offerings include Kulanu Academy (a special education school with Academic, Vocational, and Functional Skills tracks), DayHab (community-based day habilitation), Adult Career Services through Kulanu Works (vocational rehabilitation and supported employment), and Kulanu Travels (recreational social activities), all delivered through Applied Behavior Analysis-informed instruction and evidence-based therapeutic supports.

Product overview

Kulanu Center for Special Services is a non-profit organization offering a comprehensive suite of educational, vocational, and recreational programs for individuals with special needs. The core offerings include Kulanu Academy (a specialized school for ages 11-21), DayHab (adult day habilitation), Adult Career Services through Kulanu Works (vocational rehabilitation and employment services), and Kulanu Travels (recreational clubs). These programs are designed to support individuals through three educational tracks (Academic, Vocational, and Functional Skills) with therapeutic services including speech, occupational, physical therapy, and counseling. The organization operates year-round programs from its Cedarhurst, NY campus and also offers venue rentals and fundraising campaigns including the Tree of Life and Legacy Capital Campaign.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kulanu Academy Specialized school serving students ages 11-21 with special needs, offering individualized academic, functional skills, and vocational pathways with student-to-staff ratios ranging from 6:1:1 to 12:1:1.
• DayHab Without Walls Community-based day habilitation program developing independence through volunteer experiences, meal preparation, housekeeping, self-advocacy, community resource navigation, and social skills for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Adult Career Services (Kulanu Works) Individualized vocational supports including school-to-work programs, community-based pre-vocational services, supported employment, employment training, resume development, interview preparation, and on-site job coaching funded through OPWDD and ACCES-VR.
• Kulanu Travels Peer-based weekend and evening recreational activities helping build friendships, social skills, self-confidence, and self-esteem for adults with special needs, delivering approximately 40 events per year.
• Academic Path Rigorous academic program aligned with NYS Regents standards preparing students for college, careers, and independent futures, including Middle School curriculum and Academic Development Class.
• Vocational Path Hands-on job skills training with community-based experiences and internships at over 100 local businesses, supported by one-to-one job coaches, integrating classroom instruction with real-world application.
• Functional Skills Path Individualized instruction based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles to help students master daily living, communication, and social skills, working with BCBAs to encourage behavioral changes.
• Bridges Program Transition program for young adults ages 18-22 offering work readiness, life readiness, travel training, banking skills, and community-based internships to build vocational and independent living skills.
• Therapeutic Services Comprehensive clinical support including speech therapy, occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), and counseling delivered by licensed professionals in classroom and therapy settings.
• Private Pay Vocational Consulting Vocational consulting and transition planning services for individuals and families seeking personalized guidance outside of agency-funded programs, including vocational evaluations, employment coaching, and college/career readiness support.
• Facility Rentals 3,000+ sq. ft. multi-purpose room available for Jewish celebrations including Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Upsherings, Aufruf, Engagement Parties, Sheva Bracha, and birthdays, with tables, chairs, and maintenance included at $1,250 base rate for 4-hour events.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 local business partnerships providing vocational internship opportunities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Over 100 Local Businesses (Vocational Partners)coreOthersKulanu Academy's Vocational Program maintains partnerships with over 100 local businesses in the community providing internship opportunities for students. Students engage in community-based vocational experiences at these partner sites, supported by one-to-one job coaches who help students develop vocational and social skills in real-world settings. Career clusters include culinary arts, retail, and office work.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• YAI (Young Adult Institute): YAI is one of the largest NYC-area nonprofits serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing education, residential, day, vocational, and clinical services. Highly comparable to Kulanu because both operate lifespan continuum service models for IDD populations in the New York metro area, including OPWDD-funded programming.
• Hamaspik: Hamaspik operates OPWDD-funded services for people with developmental disabilities across the New York downstate region, including day habilitation, residential, and community-based programs. Comparable to Kulanu as a regional IDD services provider with significant overlap in serving the Orthodox Jewish community.
• ADAPT Community Network: ADAPT Community Network (formerly UCP of NYC) delivers education, residential, day, and vocational services for people with disabilities in the New York region. Comparable to Kulanu in serving IDD populations across age ranges with OPWDD-funded programming and similar multi-program structure.
• The Arc New York: The Arc NY is a statewide federation of chapters serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through education, day, employment, and advocacy programs. Comparable to Kulanu in mission and OPWDD-aligned service delivery across the New York market.
• Services for the Underserved (SUS): SUS is a New York City nonprofit operating housing, behavioral health, and vocational programs for people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. Comparable to Kulanu as another NY-based community-based day and employment services provider for IDD individuals with public funding.
• Sinai Schools: Sinai Schools provide special education and therapeutic services for Jewish children with learning and developmental disabilities in the New York/New Jersey area. Directly comparable to Kulanu Academy in serving K-12 special education students within a Jewish community context.
• AHRC NYC: AHRC NYC provides a broad portfolio of services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across New York City, including special education schools, day programs, and supported employment—directly overlapping with Kulanu's Academy, DayHab, and Adult Career Services offerings.
• Rebecca School: Rebecca School is a New York City therapeutic day school serving children and young adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities, including autism and developmental delays, using relationship-based developmental approaches. Directly comparable to Kulanu Academy in delivering specialized K-12 programming with intensive staffing for special needs students.

Others

• UJA-Federation of New York: UJA-Federation is the central Jewish communal fundraising and allocation organization for New York. Not a direct service peer, but a key ecosystem participant and potential funder/policy partner for Jewish-affiliated special education and IDD service organizations like Kulanu.

Broad incumbents

• Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services: The Jewish Board is a large New York-area human services nonprofit providing mental health, developmental disability, education, and family support services. Comparable to Kulanu as a Jewish-community-rooted provider of disability and special education services across the lifespan, with much broader scale and service breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KulanuCSS
• Instagraminstagram.com/kulanucss
• Xx.com/kulanucss
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kulanu-kids

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 Kulanu