Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh

What Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh does

Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1989 by Lorraine and Ken Wagner to serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Greater Pittsburgh region. Its core service is a portfolio of community-based residential and support programs, anchored by 17 permanent community-based homes operating across multiple Pittsburgh neighborhoods (Brookline, Mt. Lebanon, Scott Township, Bethel Park, Whitehall, Castle Shannon, Reserve Township, Greenfield, North Hills) that provide 24-hour residential care. Beyond the residential line, Emmaus delivers In-Home & Community Supports, Supported Living, Life Sharing (placing residents with host families on monthly stipends), Companion Services, Community Participation Supports, Respite Care, and Education & Outreach, plus the Emmaus Quality of Life Special Needs Pooled Trust — a pooled trust vehicle that helps individuals preserve assets while maintaining SSDI and government benefits eligibility.

The underlying technology stack is modest and entirely third-party: Emmaus uses Therap for electronic health records and billing, and DonorPerfect for donor management. There are no proprietary platforms, AI/ML systems, or API products. Revenue is generated through four streams: (1) client service fees from Pennsylvania ODP (Office of Developmental Programs) waivers and private-pay arrangements for residential and community services; (2) donations and charitable contributions including the recurring Welcome Home Club monthly giving program; (3) fundraising events including the annual Golf Classic ($700 individual / $2,750 foursome), Roarin' 20s Gala, Spirit Run 5K, Purse Bash, and Penguins Hockey Raffle; and (4) merchandise sales. Go-to-market is community-led — more than 170 awareness presentations per year to local community organizations, a robust volunteer program, United Way of Allegheny County workplace giving (Agency #9123), and 3 Rivers Combined Federal Campaign giving (Code #34738). The organization employs 51-100 people, operates from a Scott Township headquarters relocated in April 2025, and is led by CEO Karen Jacobsen and CFO Margaret Pollock.

Name

Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh

Legal name

Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh

Website

https://www.emmauspgh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh is a non-profit organization that offers programs and events for disabled people.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)

Keywords

• Disability residential services
• Community-based housing
• Intellectual disability support
• Nonprofit social services
• Developmental disability care

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Emmaus relies on charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and organizations. They offer one-time donations and recurring monthly gifts through their Welcome Home Club program.
2. Fundraising Events: Annual events including the Emmaus Golf Classic, Roarin' 20s Gala, Penguins Hockey Raffle, Purse Bash, and Spirit Run 5K generate significant revenue through registration fees, sponsorships, and donations.
3. Client Service Fees: Revenue from government-funded programs (ODP - Office of Developmental Programs) and private pay clients for residential, supported living, in-home, and community services.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of Emmaus merchandise including winter gear (hats, scarves, blankets) and gift certificates for events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates 17 permanent community-based homes providing 24-hour residential support for adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area. The organization also delivers in-home and community support services, supported living arrangements, life sharing programs, education and outreach, and a special needs pooled trust to help individuals with intellectual disabilities live whole and meaningful lives in the community.

Product overview

Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) providing community-based residential and support services for people with intellectual disabilities. The organization operates a unified service portfolio consisting of Community-Based Homes (residential care with 24-hour support), In-Home & Community Supports, Supported Living, Life Sharing, Education & Outreach, and the Emmaus Quality of Life Special Needs Trust. These programs work together to provide comprehensive care from residential settings to community participation, all aimed at empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to live meaningful lives in the community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Emmaus Golf Classic: Annual fundraising golf tournament, also known as Emmaus Golf Classic: An Applied Underwriters Invitational, held since 1990
• Emmaus Roarin' 20s Gala
• Emmaus Welcome Home Club

Products and services

• Community-Based Homes Residential program providing 24-hour support for individuals with intellectual disabilities in community-based homes located throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area (Brookline, Mt. Lebanon, Scott Township, Bethel Park, Whitehall, Castle Shannon, Reserve Township, Greenfield, North Hills, and Banksville). Residents receive assistance with daily living, healthcare maintenance, medication administration, financial management support, and employment opportunities.
• In-Home & Community Supports Non-residential services provided in an individual's home or community setting to build new skills, develop relationships, and increase independence. Includes Companion Services, Community Participation Supports, and short-term Respite Care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Supported Living Assistance for individuals with intellectual disabilities living in homes they own, lease, or rent. On-call staff available 24 hours a day with up to 30 hours of direct care services per week to support independent living arrangements.
• Life Sharing Individuals with intellectual disabilities live with a host family, couple, or single person who serve as Life Sharing Partners, providing support with home management, healthcare, relationship development, and community participation. Partners receive monthly stipends.
• Education & Outreach Public awareness presentations about the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, assistance for families navigating the I/DD service system, and advocacy efforts. Emmaus has provided more than 170 awareness presentations to local community organizations.
• Emmaus Quality of Life Special Needs Trust Pooled trust that preserves funds for people with intellectual disabilities while maintaining government benefits eligibility (SSDI), facilitating long-term financial planning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Operates 17 permanent homes providing 24-hour care
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Applied UnderwriterscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 September 2026Applied Underwriters sponsors the annual Emmaus Golf Classic, titled 'Emmaus Golf Classic: An Applied Underwriters Invitational.' This is a major annual fundraising event held at The Club at Nevillewood.
• Walsh ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 June 2019Walsh Construction raised more than $80,000 at its seventh annual Pennsylvania regional charity golf outing, with Emmaus as one of the beneficiaries.
• Realtors Foundation of Metro PittsburghminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 May 2019Hosted 'Fashion for a Cause' runway event benefiting Emmaus; five Emmaus residents modeled in the show.
• United Way of Allegheny CountycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEmmaus is a Contributor Choice Agency (#9123) with United Way of Allegheny County, allowing donors to direct workplace giving contributions.
• 3 Rivers Combined Federal CampaignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmmaus is listed with CFC Code #34738 for federal employee workplace giving.
• The Club at NevillewoodcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for the annual Emmaus Golf Classic since 1990.
• Miracle League of the South HillscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSean and Mandi Casey (Ken Wagner Award winners 2019) serve as President and Vice-President. The Miracle League brings baseball to children with disabilities and has impacted many Emmaus residents.
• Magee Center for Women with DisabilitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Peter Bulova (2024 Ken Wagner Award winner) serves as Co-Director; provides care and advocacy for people with disabilities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Arc of Pennsylvania: Statewide chapter of The Arc, providing advocacy, residential, and community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Pennsylvania, directly competing with Emmaus for ODP-funded residents and referrals.
• Achieva: Western Pennsylvania-based provider of disability services including residential, vocational, and community supports. Achieva is featured in Emmaus resident stories (e.g., Erin Gannon's employer) and is a direct competitor for the same Pittsburgh IDD population.
• RHA Health Services: Multi-state provider of residential, supported living, and community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Operates small group homes similar to Emmaus's model and competes for state waiver contracts.
• Chimes: Regional Mid-Atlantic provider of residential, day, and behavioral health services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with a comparable community-based small-home philosophy.
• Echoing Hills: Faith-based nonprofit providing residential, vocational, and community services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Ohio and beyond. Closely parallels Emmaus's ecumenical, community-integration model.

Broad incumbents

• The Arc of the United States: National federation of disability advocacy and service organizations, with many local chapters operating residential and community-based programs. Acts as a broader umbrella and adjacent competitor to Emmaus's mission and service model.
• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): National network providing residential, in-home, and community supports for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Operates a similar service portfolio to Emmaus at significantly larger scale across multiple states.
• BrightSpring Health Services: Large diversified provider of home and community-based services (including the legacy ResCare/KidsCare business) for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A scaled, publicly-traded competitor to Emmaus's residential and in-home service lines.
• Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network): National provider of home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including group homes, host home/life-sharing programs, and supported living — directly overlapping Emmaus's service portfolio.

Regional players

• Pittsburgh Mercy: Regional Pittsburgh-area health and human services nonprofit providing residential and community-based supports for people with intellectual disabilities and behavioral health needs, including IDD-targeted programs comparable to Emmaus's offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2HyB63xoMSKJ77UtGDD2tg
• Facebookfacebook.com/EmmausCommPgh
• Instagraminstagram.com/emmauscommpgh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emmaus-community-of-pittsburgh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh