Guild for Exceptional Children

What Guild for Exceptional Children does

The Guild for Exceptional Children (GEC) is a Brooklyn-based non-profit organization founded in 1958 that delivers a continuum of services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across all age groups. GEC operates four named 24/7 residential group homes — Martini Residence, Olga Residence, DeFelippo Residence, and Sichenze Residence — alongside day habilitation programs (Fischetti Program, Mastronardi Program), NYC Pre-K for All / 3K for All and Early Childhood Education classrooms, and an Arts and Recreation Program. The organization serves more than 300 individuals daily and employs approximately 470 staff, making it one of the largest employers in the Bay Ridge neighborhood.

GEC's technology footprint is operationally focused rather than product-oriented. The organization deploys PrecisionCare Human Services Software — a third-party case and service management platform — through an internal staff portal, and uses interactive Smart Tables as a therapeutic tool within day programs. There is no proprietary software product, public API, or mobile application. Service delivery is fully in-person through physical program sites distributed across Brooklyn.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid public-and-private model. Public funding flows primarily through NY OPWDD / Medicaid reimbursements for residential and day habilitation services and through NYC Department of Education per-pupil funding for Pre-K for All / 3K for All classrooms. Private revenue is sourced from individual donations, memorial contributions (Tree of Life), family foundation grants (e.g., the Christian J Santo Legacy Foundation), recurring community fundraisers (Windfall Wednesdays, the Annual Golf Outing, the Annual Beer Tasting), and member contributions. GEC states that 90% of donations are directed to care and support. The go-to-market model for new service recipients is community-led: families are referred through word-of-mouth and a network of 200+ community partners, with no direct-to-consumer marketing or public pricing.

Name

Guild for Exceptional Children

Legal name

The Guild for Exceptional Children

Website

https://gecbklyn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Brooklyn-based non-profit founded in 1958 serving 300+ individuals daily with intellectual and developmental disabilities across all ages via 24/7 residential group homes, day habilitation programs, Pre-K for All / 3K for All classrooms, and arts and recreation; operates with approximately 470 staff and is one of Bay Ridge's largest employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Needs-Inclusive Early Learning Academies (EDACADAI), Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI), Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Residential group homes
• Day habilitation programs
• Early childhood education
• Developmental disability care

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Private Donations and Community Support: GEC relies on private generosity from members, friends, and neighbors in the Brooklyn community. This includes one-time donations, memorial contributions, Tree of Life commemorative gifts, matching gifts, and general fundraising. The organization states that 90% of donations go direct to care and support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Guild for Exceptional Children (GEC) is a Brooklyn-based non-profit that delivers supportive services to children, adults, and seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its core offerings include early childhood education (Pre-K for All/3K for All), 24/7 residential services in multiple group homes, day habilitation programs, and arts and recreation programs, all operated directly through its own facilities and staff in the Brooklyn community.

Product overview

The Guild for Exceptional Children is a Brooklyn-based non-profit organization providing a comprehensive suite of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization operates multiple interconnected programs: Early Childhood Education (Pre-K for All/3K for All), Day Habilitation Program, Residential Services (including group homes at Martini, Olga, DeFelippo, and Sichenze Residences), and Arts and Recreation Program. Additional offerings include the Fischetti Center day program, therapeutic Smart Tables, the Windfall Wednesdays fundraising raffle, Give by Cell mobile donation service, and member/staff portals including PrecisionCare software for case management. The organization serves over 300 individuals daily across all age groups, operating residences 24/7, 365 days a year.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pre-K for All/3K for All Pre-kindergarten and 3K for All early childhood education program for young children with developmental disabilities, delivered at GEC's preschool facilities in Brooklyn.
• Early Childhood Education Comprehensive early childhood education services for children with developmental disabilities, focused on school readiness and therapeutic interventions.
• Residential Services 24/7, 365-day residential support in multiple group homes (Martini, Olga, DeFelippo, and Sichenze Residences) for individuals with developmental disabilities in Brooklyn.
• Day Habilitation Program Day habilitation services and structured activities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including the Fischetti Program and Mastronardi Program at multiple Brooklyn locations.
• Arts and Recreation Program Arts and recreational activities program enabling individuals with disabilities to participate in community events and creative pursuits.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

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.

• Marine Park Golf CoursecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 May 2025Hosts GEC's annual Beer Tasting event, providing venue and catering for the largest event to date (14th annual). Ongoing partnership since the event's inception.
• Temple ShalomminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 April 2025Hosted Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony recognizing Fischetti Center volunteers for over ten years of outstanding service preparing lunch trays for senior citizens.
• Knights of Columbus John Hughes Council and ColumbiettescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 April 2025Long-standing community partners who hosted a Spring Fling event for GEC with over 130 program participants, residents, parents, and staff attending. Enjoys a close and special relationship with GEC spanning many years.
• Maimonides HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Brooklyn healthcare provider listed as a community partner, indicating collaboration in serving individuals with developmental disabilities in the Brooklyn area.
• Assemblyman Michael TannousisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerElected official and community partner supporting GEC's mission and advocacy efforts.
• Congresswoman Nicole MalliotakisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal elected official and community partner supporting GEC's mission.
• NYC Council Member Justin BrannanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCity elected official and community partner supporting GEC's mission and advocacy efforts.
• NYC Council Member Lincoln RestlerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCity elected official and community partner supporting GEC.
• El CaribeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal venue that hosted parade honoree event celebrating GEC's CEO Joe Riley as Deputy Marshal in the Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade.
• Interagency Council of NYcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level advocacy and coordination organization for developmental disabilities services in New York, of which GEC is a member.
• NY Alliance for Inclusion and InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState alliance supporting organizations dedicated to inclusion and innovation in developmental disabilities services, of which GEC is a member.
• Emblem HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth insurance provider listed as community partner, indicating collaboration in healthcare coverage for individuals served.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• QSAC (Quality Services for the Autism Community): QSAC provides autism-specific education, residential, and day services primarily in NYC and Long Island. Comparable population focus on developmental disabilities with residential and early intervention programs.

Direct peers

• ADAPT Community Network: ADAPT Community Network (formerly United Cerebral Palsy of NYC) provides residential, day, family support, and clinical services to individuals with IDD across NYC. Directly comparable to GEC's service continuum with a larger geographic footprint.
• AHRC New York City: AHRC NYC is one of the largest NYC-based non-profits serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, operating residential, day habilitation, early childhood, and community programs across all five boroughs. Highly comparable to GEC in mission, service mix, and population served.
• HeartShare Human Services of New York: HeartShare operates residential programs, day habilitation, early childhood education, and family services for individuals with IDD across NYC. Closely mirrors GEC's program mix including group homes and Pre-K/early childhood services.
• Birch Family Services: Birch Family Services provides early intervention, preschool, school-age, and adult services to individuals with autism and IDD in NYC. Comparable early childhood education and adult day program components.
• YAI (Young Adult Institute): YAI is a premier NYC IDD service provider offering residential, day, early intervention, and clinical services across multiple boroughs and nationally. Directly comparable to GEC in residential group homes, day programs, and Pre-K offerings for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Services for the UnderServed (SUS): SUS operates supportive housing, day programs, and clinical services across NYC for individuals with IDD and other disabilities. Comparable residential and day services with similar reliance on public funding and donor support.
• Life's WORC: Life's WORC provides residential, day, vocational, and family support services to individuals with developmental disabilities on Long Island and NYC. Comparable service mix and population focus to GEC.

Broad incumbents

• The Arc New York: The Arc New York is a statewide federation of Chapters supporting individuals with IDD through residential, day, family, and advocacy services. Broader regional scope than GEC but operates many of the same program types with shared OPWDD funding streams.

Others

• Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey: Goodwill operates employment, day, and community programs for individuals with disabilities in the NYC metro. Adjacent rather than direct competitor, but overlaps with vocational/day habilitation components of GEC's services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gecbrooklyn
• Xx.com/GECBrooklyn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Guild for Exceptional Children