What Friends in Action does

Friends in Action is a New Hampshire-based 501(c)-style nonprofit founded in 2000 that operates an integrated portfolio of social and recreational programs for adults and young adults (high school age and older) with developmental disabilities in the NH seacoast area, centered on Durham, Portsmouth, Newington, Epping, and Dover. Its core programs include the high-engagement Friday Night Social (60+ regular participants), Wildcat Friends (a college-experience program hosted on the University of New Hampshire campus), Theater Class, Movie Night, Dinner Club, Bowling, Basketball, Community Outings, Game/Crafts Club, and the Echo Thrift Shop, with newer additions such as The Jenna Experience Dance Class and Music Expression. The organization also runs virtual activities via Zoom (Book Time, Mad Libs + Trivia, Movement) for remote participation.

The underlying operational technology is minimal and non-proprietary: program delivery is in-person at community venues, supported by a WordPress-based website, an online event calendar, email, Zoom, and social media channels. There is no software product, no API, no mobile app, and no data platform; the technology layer is administrative rather than product-defining.

Friends in Action is funded primarily through private donations collected via annual giving letters, an annual spring fundraiser, and a base of 10+ local corporate sponsors (e.g., WellSense, BankProv, Forbes Marketing, Madison Resources, TA Builders). Program fees are minimal — most programs are free, Bowling is $10 per person, and only Wildcat Friends and Theater Class are described as fee-based with amounts not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth, school and university partnerships, and local brand recognition rather than paid acquisition.

Name

Friends in Action

Legal name

Friends in Action

Website

https://friendsinactionnh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Friends in Action is a Durham, NH-based nonprofit founded in 2000 that delivers free and low-cost social and recreational programs — including Friday Night Socials, Wildcat Friends, and Theater Class — to adults with developmental disabilities across the New Hampshire seacoast.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Private Donations: The primary funding source for Friends in Action is private donations from individuals and families. The organization sends out annual giving letters in the fall and encourages families to contribute as generously as they can to keep programs running.
2. Spring Fundraiser: Annual spring fundraising event that serves as a major revenue source for the organization.
3. Program Fees (Wildcat Friends & Theater): Wildcat Friends and Theater Class are fee-based programs with limited enrollment. These provide some revenue to offset program costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Friends in Action is a community nonprofit organization that delivers inclusive social and recreational programs for young adults (high school age and older) with developmental disabilities in the New Hampshire seacoast area. Core offerings include weekly Friday Night Socials (the most popular program with 60+ participants), Wildcat Friends (a college experience program at the University of New Hampshire), Theater Class, Movie Night, Dinner Club, Bowling, Basketball, Community Outings, Game/Crafts Club, the Echo Thrift Shop work experience program, and virtual activities via Zoom.

Product overview

Friends in Action operates as a single unified program portfolio of social and recreational services rather than a software product platform. The organization provides inclusive community programs for young adults (high school age and older) with developmental disabilities in the New Hampshire seacoast area. Core programs include Friday Night Social (most popular with 60+ participants), Wildcat Friends (UNH campus college experience), Theater Class, Movie Night, Dinner Club, Echo Thrift Shop, Bowling, Basketball, Community Outings, and Game/Crafts Club. Additional offerings include virtual activities via Zoom (Book Time, Mad Libs + Trivia, Movement), The Jenna Experience Dance Class, and Music Expression. Programs are primarily free (except Wildcat Friends and Theater which have fees) and are funded through private donations and an annual fundraiser.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Friday Night Socials Weekly social gathering for young adults with developmental disabilities featuring pizza, games, dancing, and socializing. Friends in Action's most popular program with 60+ regular participants, offered free to participants.
• Wildcat Friends College experience program on the UNH campus for adults with developmental disabilities, including dining hall experience, recreation activities, and themed classes. Fee-based with limited enrollment.
• Theater Class Performance arts program helping participants develop self-confidence, speech, and communication skills through singing, dancing, and acting. Culminates in shows performed for family and friends. Fee-based.
• Movie Night Twice-monthly movie outings at Regal Cinema in Newington and O'Neil Cinema in Epping, offering participants a chance to enjoy films with peers. Participants purchase their own tickets.
• Dinner Club Monthly social club combining community dining at locally owned restaurants with healthy eating, meal purchasing, and socializing with friends. Participants pay for their own meals and tips.
• Echo Thrift Shop Volunteer work experience program at a thrift shop in Durham, NH, providing participants with job training and socialization opportunities while supporting the organization.
• Bowling Twice-monthly bowling events at Bowl-O-Rama in Portsmouth, NH, where participants bowl, socialize, and encourage each other. Costs $10 per person including shoes and 2-3 games.
• Basketball Basketball club running September through May for pick-up style games focused on teamwork and fun, with Summer Hoops program running June through early August.
• Community Outings Varied community activities including visits to Prescott Park, harbor cruises, and mini golf, connecting participants and families with the local community.
• Game/Crafts Club Arts, crafts, and games club providing creative activities and social interaction for participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Friday Night Social program serves 60+ participants regularly
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of New Hampshire (UNH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeep partnership through the Wildcat Friends program where adults with developmental disabilities experience college life on the UNH campus. UNH students volunteer regularly in Friends in Action programs including Friday Night Socials and Wildcat Friends.
• Portsmouth High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortsmouth High School students volunteer regularly at Friday Night Socials, providing intergenerational connections and support for program activities.
• Northeast PassageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferenced as an additional activity partner - recreation organization that creates environments where individuals with disabilities can enjoy recreation with independence and quality of life.
• Atlantic GymnasticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferenced as an additional activity partner - provides adaptive movement opportunities for individuals with special needs in Dover and Portsmouth, NH locations.
• Best BuddiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational nonprofit organization dedicated to creating volunteer movements for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. UNH chapter referenced.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• YAI (Young Adult Institute): Large New York-based network providing housing, day programs, recreation, and clinical services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable programmatic categories (social/recreational/day programs) at a much larger institutional scale.
• Best Buddies International: National nonprofit creating one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Referenced in Friends in Action's materials as a partner via the UNH chapter; comparable mission and program structure but vastly larger scope.
• Easterseals New Hampshire: Affordable access, behavioral health, and recreation services for people with disabilities across NH. Part of the broader Easterseals national network, providing comparable disability services in the same region but at much larger scale.
• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS): National advocacy and program organization for people with Down syndrome and their families, running local program affiliates and community events. Overlap in social/recreational mission for a subset of the same population.

Direct peers

• Northeast Passage: UNH-based nonprofit that creates recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Referenced as an activity partner of Friends in Action; directly comparable mission and overlapping service geography in New Hampshire.
• The Friendship Circle: Network of community-based programs pairing teen volunteers with children and young adults with special needs for social, recreational, and educational activities. Directly comparable volunteer-driven, free-program model for a similar population.
• Special Olympics New Hampshire: State affiliate of Special Olympics providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Directly comparable recreational/athletic programming for the same population within the same geography.
• The Arc of New Hampshire: State chapter of The Arc, providing advocacy, family support, and community-based programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across New Hampshire. Comparable mission and audience in the same state.

Regional players

• Portsmouth Recreation Department (Adaptive Programs): Municipal recreation department offering adaptive/inclusive programming in the same NH seacoast geography Friends in Action serves. Overlaps in target population and recreational programming model but funded through municipal budgets rather than donations.

Emerging players

• GiGi's Playhouse: National network of Down syndrome achievement centers offering free educational, therapeutic, and social programs. Comparable free-program, community-delivered model for a related but narrower disability segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/friendsinactionnh
• Facebookfacebook.com/friendsinactionnh
• Instagraminstagram.com/friendsinactionnh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friends-in-action-nh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Friends in Action