ICAN

What ICAN does

ICAN (California Abilities Network) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing employment, life skills, and social programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Southern California. Founded in its current independent form in 2012 (with roots tracing to the 1975 Acampar summer camp program), ICAN operates from three locations in Torrance, Long Beach, and Redondo Beach, serving 659 clients in 2025 with a staff of 167 and 342 active volunteers. The product portfolio is organized around five core programs: Supported Employment (job preparation, placement, and on-the-job coaching), Partial Work and Life Skills day programs (employment training, social development, healthy living, community integration), Social Program (events, weekend programs, and overnight camps), Marketplace (client-operated microbusinesses including ICAN Coffee Cart and Photo Booth), and paid/overnight offerings (Summer Camp, Winter Camp, Spring Retreat). Underlying technology is limited to standard nonprofit operational tools; service delivery is fundamentally human-staff-intensive.

The business model is hybrid and mission-driven. Most core programs are funded on a recurring basis through California's Regional Center system (Harbor, Westside, and South Central Regional Centers), which vendorize ICAN as a service provider; clients must obtain a referral from a regional center service coordinator. Camps, retreats, and certain social events are private-pay (Summer Camp at $1,800 per camper per week, Winter Camp at $1,200 per weekend, Spring Retreat at $1,350 per person). A second revenue layer is philanthropic: $223,191 in foundation and corporate grants in 2025 (Ahmanson Foundation, Boeing Employee Community Fund, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and others), $222,448 from events and individual giving across 428 donors, plus a $1,000,000 federal earmark in 2024 from Congressman Ted Lieu for a Workforce Training Center. Pricing for private-pay offerings is unit-based per program session, and the organization holds Charity Navigator Platinum Transparency (2026) and GuideStar Gold designations.

ICAN's go-to-market is community-led: client acquisition flows through Regional Center referrals, employer partnerships (Portofino Hotel, Torrance Bakery, Subway, CMA Dishmachines) drive job placement, and visibility comes from community events, local media coverage, and 50+ years of brand presence in the South Bay and broader Los Angeles County region. The organization is led by Executive Director Scott Elliott (in role since 1996) with a Director of Development and a layered program-management team. Geographic scope is regional, confined to Southern California, and growth is constrained primarily by the rate of Regional Center vendorization expansion and physical-facility buildout rather than by demand.

Name

ICAN

Legal name

California Abilities Network

Website

https://ican.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ICAN is a Southern California 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing supported employment, life skills, and social programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across three locations in Torrance, Long Beach, and Redondo Beach, funded by Regional Center contracts, private pay, and philanthropic giving.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

Keywords

• Supported employment services
• Developmental disability programs
• Life skills training
• Adult day services
• Social recreation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Torrance

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a nonprofit organization, ICAN relies heavily on charitable donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations. The organization conducts annual fundraising events including Garden Party, TopGolf Classic, and restaurant fundraisers. In 2025, $222,448 was raised through events and individual giving from 428 donors including 206 new donors. In-kind donations valued at $40,000+ were also received.
2. Philanthropic Grant Funding: ICAN receives institutional grant funding from foundations and government sources. In 2025, $223,191 was generated through philanthropic grants from organizations including Ahmanson Foundation, Boeing Employee Community Fund, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and others. Federal funding of $1,000,000 was secured through Congressman Ted Lieu for a Workforce Training Center.
3. Regional Center Funding: Most programs are funded through regional center referrals and funding. Clients authorized by Regional Center for services based on their needs and goals. The Social Program is funded through Regional Center with self-determination and private pay options available.
4. Private Pay Programs: Some programs and events are private pay only. Summer Camp ($1,800), Winter Camp ($1,200), and Spring Retreat ($1,350) are not covered by Regional Center funding and must be paid privately.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ICAN California Abilities Network is a nonprofit organization that provides supported employment, life skills, social, and day programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across three Southern California locations. Core offerings include job preparation, placement, and coaching (Supported Employment), structured day programs with client-chosen clubs (Partial Work and Life Skills), social events and overnight camps (Social Program, Summer/Winter Camps, Spring Retreat at Disneyland), and client-operated microbusinesses (Marketplace Coffee Cart and Photobooth). Most programs are funded through California Regional Center authorizations, with private pay options for camp and retreat programs.

Product overview

ICAN (California Abilities Network) is a nonprofit organization providing a portfolio of complementary programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The core offerings include: Supported Employment (job prep, placement, coaching) with an add-on Tailored Day Services for personalized 1:1 support; Partial Work and Life Skills day programs for employment training, social development, and community integration; a Social Program offering events and overnight camps (Summer, Winter, Spring Retreats); and a Marketplace Program featuring client-operated businesses (Coffee Cart, Photobooth) that provide paid employment. These programs work together to empower clients to discover their own 'I CAN' statement through employment, life skills, and social connection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 90 individuals with disabilities secured competitive employment in 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

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.

• Congressman Ted LieucoreOthers · 13 March 2024Congressman Ted Lieu secured $1,000,000 in federal funding for ICAN to build a new Workforce Training Center in the South Bay. This represents significant government partnership supporting employment and workforce development programs for adults with disabilities.
• Harbor Regional CentercoreOthersPrimary regional center partner providing client referrals and funding authorization. Harbor Regional Center grants have funded program expansion including Site #2 in Long Beach and the Social Recreation initiative focused on service access and equity.
• Westside Regional CentercoreOthersRegional center partner providing client referrals and funding authorization for individuals with developmental disabilities in the Westside Los Angeles service area.
• South Central Regional CentercoreOthersRegional center partner providing client referrals and funding authorization for individuals with developmental disabilities in the South Central Los Angeles service area.
• ToyotaminorOthersToyota team organized a supply drive for ICAN Summer Camp, providing sunscreen, bug spray, water balloons, wet wipes, and more. Team members also toured programs and met with clients.
• Biola UniversityminorOthersPartnership with Biola University Sociology of Disability course where 14 students volunteered in ICAN's Social Program, gaining hands-on learning experiences in inclusion and disability advocacy.
• EOS AccountingminorOthersCorporate volunteer day where employees led creative activities with ICAN clients including tie-dye and bracelet-making. Team also donated snacks and supplies.
• National Charity LeagueminorOthersOngoing partnership with local National Charity League chapter bringing mother-daughter volunteers into Social Program activities throughout the year and supporting special ICAN events.
• American Red CrossminorOthersICAN partnered with American Red Cross to host a community blood drive, with staff, families, and community members coming together to donate lifesaving blood.
• Palomar Christian Conference CentercoreOthersHost venue for ICAN Summer Camps (celebrating 50 years), providing the outdoor location for week-long camp experiences for adults with disabilities.
• Pine Summit Camp & Conference CentercoreOthersHost venue for ICAN Winter Camps in Big Bear, CA, providing the winter outdoor setting for camp experiences.
• Disneyland ResortcoreOthersHost venue for ICAN Spring Retreats - four-day, three-night retreats at Disneyland and California Adventure for adults with disabilities.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AbilityFirst: California-based nonprofit providing employment, life skills, recreation, and residential programs for adults and children with developmental disabilities — closest direct comparable in scope, geography, and program mix to ICAN.
• Momentum WORK, Inc. California nonprofit providing supported employment, vocational training, and community-based day programs for adults with IDD, including their own social enterprises — directly comparable service line and population.
• The Arc of California: Statewide chapter of The Arc, providing advocacy and direct services (employment, day programs, housing) for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in California — overlaps in service portfolio and Regional Center funding model.
• Tierra del Sol Foundation: Southern California nonprofit supporting adults with developmental disabilities through employment, day services, and creative arts enterprises (including client-operated businesses) — directly comparable, including the social-enterprise model.
• PathPoint: Southern California nonprofit supporting people with disabilities and other barriers through employment services, community life, and behavioral health — directly comparable employment and day-program model.
• Exceptional Children's Foundation (ECF): LA-based nonprofit serving children and adults with developmental disabilities through education, employment, and day services — closely aligned with ICAN's Southern California footprint and supported employment focus.

Emerging players

• Pride Industries: California-based nonprofit social enterprise providing employment and vocational services primarily to people with disabilities — comparable employment-first model and operates its own revenue-generating businesses to subsidize mission.
• JVS SoCal (Jewish Vocational Service): Southern California workforce development nonprofit with vocational rehabilitation and disability employment programs — comparable employment-first model but broader population (not IDD-exclusive).

Broad incumbents

• Best Buddies International: National nonprofit focused on friendships, jobs, and leadership development for people with IDD — comparable employment and social programs but with a much larger, more national footprint.
• Easterseals Southern California: Large Southern California chapter of the Easterseals network providing autism, disability, and veteran services including employment supports — broader portfolio and larger scale than ICAN but overlapping in employment and day programs.

Market position

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CaliforniaAbilitiesNetwork
• Instagraminstagram.com/icanla
• Xx.com/icanla
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ican---california-abilities-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ICAN