MIRCI

What MIRCI does

MIRCI (Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization founded in 1961 and headquartered at 2750 Laurel Street, Third Floor, Columbia, South Carolina. It serves adults and young adults experiencing severe and persistent mental illness and homelessness in the Midlands region, specifically Richland and Lexington counties. The organization operates an integrated wraparound care model across three core service lines: Essential Needs Services (street outreach, benefits assistance, basic-needs provision through the Youth Drop-in Center), Behavioral Healthcare (psychiatric care, medication management, ACT, and trauma-informed therapy), and Supportive Housing (permanent supportive housing across four Section 811 apartment complexes, plus transitional housing for male youth and the under-construction Millwood Place for female youth). MIRCI hosts the only CARF-accredited Assertive Community Treatment program in South Carolina and serves more than 1,200 people annually through outreach and clinical programs.

MIRCI's revenue model is entirely grant- and donation-funded; no client fees are charged and subsidized housing rent is capped at 30% of income. Funding sources include HUD Continuum of Care and Section 811 federal entitlements, foundation grants (Leon Levine, Wells Fargo, United Way, Unum-Colonial Life, Janssen, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, TD Charitable Foundation, and others), county and city government appropriations (Richland County $150K Community Impact Grant; Lexington County; City of Columbia), corporate sponsorships, individual donations through a Bloomerang CRM donation portal, monthly giving tiers ($25-$125), and event-based fundraising via the 52 Windows art gala and Merry Mirci Holiday event. Distribution occurs through direct service delivery — street outreach teams, a structured intake process at the consolidated facility, and a 30+ partner referral network including Prisma Health, Lexington Medical Center, Toby's Place, and SC Department of Mental Health. The underlying technology stack consists of HUD-compliant SC-HMIS for client data tracking with 128-bit encryption, HIPAA- and PCI-compliant telehealth and communication channels, and the Bloomerang CRM for donor management; no proprietary software, AI/ML systems, or differentiated technology platform is disclosed.

The customer base comprises vulnerable individuals qualifying by severe mental illness diagnosis and homelessness/low-income status, while the economic buyer is institutional: county governments, hospital systems seeking to reduce uncompensated care, and foundations seeking measurable outcomes. Quantified outcomes include a 74% reduction in inpatient hospitalizations related to mental illness and substance use, a 70% drop in ED visits, $6.1 million in avoided hospital costs in 2023, 90%+ housing retention, and $400K+ in annual benefits secured for clients. MIRCI is governed by a community board chaired by Dr. Lucy Easler (Director of Behavioral Care Services, Prisma Health-Midlands), with executive leadership comprising Dr. Lucy Easler as CEO, Cory Harrison as CFO, Julie Miller as Chief Clinical Officer, and Ti Barnes / Shawn Caraballo in COO roles. Executive Director Julie Ann Avin announced retirement effective December 31, 2025 after 34 years of service, marking a generational leadership transition.

Name

MIRCI

Legal name

Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc.

Website

https://mirci.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

MIRCI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization founded in 1961 in Columbia, South Carolina, providing integrated behavioral healthcare, permanent supportive housing, and homeless outreach for adults and youth with severe mental illness in the Midlands region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Behavioral Healthcare and Homeless Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Social Assistance (624), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD), Crisis Stabilization Units & Psychiatric Emergency Services (HLAFACAH), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

Keywords

• Behavioral healthcare services
• Supportive housing programs
• Homeless outreach services
• Mental health nonprofit
• Assertive community treatment

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Corporate Grants: MIRCI receives substantial grant funding from foundations including The Leon Levine Foundation ($300,000 over 3 years; prior grants of $50,000, $75,000, $75,000), United Way of the Midlands ($170,000 in 2023-2024; $160,000 in 2024-2025; $10,000 COVID-19 response), Lexington Medical Center Foundation, Richland County Government ($150,000), TD Charitable Foundation ($10,000), Bank of America Charitable Foundation ($5,000), Unum-Colonial Life ($20,000), and others. These grants support general operations, behavioral healthcare, and supportive housing programs.
2. Government Contracts and Entitlements: MIRCI receives federal funding through HUD for homeless services (Section 811 Affordable Housing, CoC Permanent Supportive Housing programs) and manages benefits assistance that secures SSI/SSDI and SNAP for clients, generating over $400,000 in supplemental income for clients in 2023.
3. Individual Donations and Monthly Giving: MIRCI solicits individual contributions through its website donation portal (Bloomerang CRM), monthly giving program, Facebook fundraising, and planned giving/stock donation programs. Monthly giving tiers range from $25 to $125 with specific impact descriptions.
4. In-Kind Donations: MIRCI accepts and distributes in-kind donations including hygiene supplies, clothing, bedding, and household items through its Amazon Wishlist program and direct donation drop-offs.
5. Event-Based Fundraising: Annual fundraising events including the 52 Windows art gala and Merry Mirci Holiday event generate unrestricted donations from attendees, corporate sponsors, and silent auction proceeds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

MIRCI is a nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization that delivers an integrated wraparound care model for individuals living with severe mental illness and homelessness in the South Carolina Midlands. Its core offerings combine Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), psychiatric and clinical services, permanent supportive housing, homeless street outreach, benefits assistance (SSI/SSDI/SNAP enrollment), and youth-focused transitional housing and drop-in services. Services are funded through grants, government contracts, and donations rather than direct client billing.

Product overview

MIRCI (Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc.) is a nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization offering an integrated wraparound care model for individuals experiencing mental illness and homelessness. The organization operates three core service lines: Essential Needs Services (community outreach, homeless outreach, benefits assistance), Behavioral Healthcare (psychiatric care, medication management, therapeutic intervention), and Supportive Housing (permanent supportive housing, transitional youth housing). These services are coordinated through Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams and the Youth Drop-in Center, providing clients with comprehensive support from initial engagement through long-term stability. MIRCI serves Richland and Lexington counties in South Carolina, providing over 1,200 people annually with pathways to recovery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Essential Needs Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 74% reduction in inpatient hospitalizations related to mental illness and substance use; 70% reduction in emergency department visits; 82% reduction in visits due to schizophrenic disorder; 72% reduction in psychiatric specialty inpatient hospitalizations; 49% drop in average hospital stay length (from 13 days to 6.6 days). Total avoided costs: $6.1 million for local hospitals in 2023.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SC Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 September 2024SC Housing Authority partnered with MIRCI on the Millwood Place project, a 10-bedroom transitional home for unhoused young women. The authority is a key partner in MIRCI's housing development initiatives.
• SC Department of Mental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 September 2024SC Department of Mental Health partnered on the Millwood Place development and is a key government partner supporting MIRCI's behavioral healthcare programs across the Midlands.
• Healthy Laughter (WF Media)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 July 2024Partnership with Healthy Laughter for a mental health-themed family comedy show to raise awareness about MIRCI's services and break the stigma surrounding mental health. The event featured comedians and interactive activities.
• Prisma HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2023Prisma Health is a key community partner, with Dr. Lucy Easler (Director of Behavioral Care Services for Prisma Health-Midlands) serving as MIRCI's Board Chair. MIRCI is the only CARF-accredited ACT program in South Carolina, and Prisma Health provides behavioral care services leadership to the board.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mental Health America: National nonprofit focused on mental health advocacy, education, and community-based programs. MIRCI provides direct clinical, housing, and outreach services at a more intensive, locally focused level.
• Lexington Medical Center: Regional hospital system whose Foundation funds MIRCI's operations and benefits from $6.1M in avoided costs attributable to MIRCI programs. Provides general medical and some behavioral health services with overlapping patient populations.
• South Carolina Department of Mental Health: State agency operating community mental health centers across South Carolina, including inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services. MIRCI is a contracted community partner rather than direct competitor, but SCDMH operates overlapping behavioral health and ACT-adjacent services in the same geography.
• Prisma Health Behavioral Care: Largest health system in South Carolina with behavioral care services, whose Director of Behavioral Care Services chairs MIRCI's board. Provides psychiatric inpatient, outpatient, and crisis services that overlap with MIRCI's behavioral healthcare and ACT offerings.

Regional players

• SC Housing Authority: State housing finance agency partnering with MIRCI on the Millwood Place development and Section 811 supportive housing. Operates affordable housing programs that complement MIRCI's behavioral-health-specialized housing stock.
• Richland County Government: Local government funder of MIRCI's behavioral healthcare and supportive housing programs through Community Impact Grants. Provides overlapping regional services (housing assistance, emergency services) through different departments.

Others

• Central Carolina Community Foundation: Regional community foundation that hosts donor-advised funds supporting MIRCI and serves as fiscal sponsor for some grants. Comparable Midlands-area funding and community partner ecosystem.
• United Way of the Midlands: Long-standing funder and partner agency network of MIRCI for over 60 years, funding behavioral health and housing programs. While not a direct service peer, it shapes the regional nonprofit ecosystem in which MIRCI operates.

Direct peers

• Toby's Place: Midlands emergency shelter that refers clients to MIRCI and partners with the organization on permanent supportive housing placements. Comparable target population (homeless individuals, including those with mental illness) in the same geographic market.
• NAMI Mid-Carolina: Columbia, SC affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, providing support groups, education, and advocacy for individuals with mental illness and their families in the same Midlands region MIRCI serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCj2IY5LGrp2ZROsnvpqXQsg
• Facebookfacebook.com/MIRCISC
• Instagraminstagram.com/mircisc/?hl=en
• Xx.com/mircisc

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 MIRCI