Friendship Community

What Friendship Community does

Friendship Community is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Lititz, Pennsylvania, that provides residential, day program, and life enrichment services to adults with intellectual disability and autism in the Lancaster County region. Founded in 1972, the organization operates 24 licensed residential group homes serving up to approximately four individuals per home, licensed day programs anchored by the Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio (an art program where participants create and sell artwork), and a suite of life enrichment activities including Activity Nights, Expressions of Love and Praise worship services, an Aktion Club chartered with New Holland Kiwanis in 2004, and a Worship Team that performs at local churches and retirement communities.

The organization's service model is built on R.I.S.E. values (Relationships, Integrity, Spirituality, Excellence) and a Christian faith-based philosophy of care. Service delivery is provided directly by Direct Support Professionals, Residential Managers, Day Services Program Specialists, Recruiters, and Art Instructors across the organization's facilities in multiple Lancaster County locations. Core products and services include Residential Services (24-hour licensed group home care), Day Programs (including art studio programming), Life Enrichment (spiritual, social, and recreational activities), and the Friendship Community Merchandise Shop (branded apparel and accessories sold online).

The business model relies on a diversified mix of revenue streams typical of a human services nonprofit: Medicaid and service fees for residential and day program care, charitable donations (accepted online, by check, Venmo, text-to-give, and through planned giving with Everence), art sales through the Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio and friendshipart.net, branded merchandise sales via an e-commerce storefront, and event-based fundraising including the annual Art Auction & Gala, 5K Run/Walk, Night at the Ballpark, and participation in community giving days (FaithfulGive, ExtraGive). The organization has 251-500 employees and is led by CEO Mary Ellen Farber. No venture capital, private equity, or parent company ownership is evidenced.

Name

Friendship Community

Legal name

Friendship Community

Website

https://friendshipcommunity.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Friendship Community is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that provides residential group home care, licensed day programs, and life enrichment services to adults with intellectual disability and autism across 24 homes in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Residential group homes
• Day programs
• Life enrichment activities
• Nonprofit disability care

Headquarters

HQ city

Lititz

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Giving: Friendship Community is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization relying on donations from individuals, families, and the community. Donations are accepted online through a secure platform, by check, Venmo, text-to-give, and through planned giving vehicles.
2. Merchandise Sales: The organization sells branded merchandise including apparel (hoodies, t-shirts) and accessories (hats, beanies) through its online shop. Products are made on demand to reduce overproduction.
3. Art Sales (Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio): Artists with intellectual disability and autism create and sell artwork through the Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio, with sales supporting the artists and program funding.
4. Event Fundraising and Sponsorships: Annual fundraising events include Art Auction & Gala, 5K Run/Walk, Night at the Ballpark, and participation in community giving events like FaithfulGive and ExtraGive. Corporate sponsorships support these events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Friendship Community is a faith-based nonprofit organization that delivers residential, day, and life enrichment services to adults with intellectual disability and autism across 24 group homes in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Core offerings include licensed residential group home care, licensed day programs centered on the Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio, and spiritual, social, and recreational life enrichment opportunities such as Activity Nights, worship services, Aktion Club, and the Worship Team. The organization supplements program funding through donations, branded merchandise sales, and art sales by the individuals it serves.

Product overview

Friendship Community is a faith-based nonprofit organization offering a unified suite of services for individuals with Intellectual Disability and Autism. The organization operates three interconnected service pillars: Residential Services (group homes across 24 locations), Day Programs (centered around the Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio art program), and Life Enrichment (Activity Nights, Expressions of Love and Praise worship, Aktion Club, and Worship Team). The organization also maintains a merchandise shop selling branded apparel and accessories. All services are grounded in the organization's R.I.S.E. values (Relationships, Integrity, Spirituality, Excellence) and are designed to help individuals 'Impact the World with Capabilities.'

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio: Art studio and gallery day program for individuals with intellectual disability and autism, where artists create and sell artwork.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• New Holland KiwaniscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004New Holland Kiwanis chartered the Friendship Community Aktion Club in 2004 as a community service club for adults with disabilities. Kiwanis business leaders work with Aktion Club leaders to provide guidance and develop individuals' leadership skills. Members support the greater communities while developing important skills.
• Hempfield Church of the BrethrenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts 'Expressions of Love and Praise' worship service on first Friday of each month, providing a worship experience designed for people with intellectual disability and autism to use their gifts and talents as praise to God.
• Neffsville Mennonite ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for Worship Team performances and Activity Nights, supporting community integration and spiritual enrichment opportunities.
• Woodcrest VillaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinuing care retirement community that hosts Friendship Community Worship Team performances, providing intergenerational fellowship opportunities.
• Lincoln Financial GroupcoreOthersLincoln Financial provides ancillary benefits including dental and vision coverage. Friendship Community provides a defined annual contribution that full-time team members can use towards these ancillary benefits.
• Oregon Dairy Market & RestaurantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNeighbor business that includes Friendship Community as a beneficiary of their annual Community Corn Pickin' 5K event, along with Landis Homes and COBYS Family Services.
• Faith Church (Lancaster)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for Friendship Community Worship Team performances, supporting community integration and worship opportunities.
• Landis HomesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinuing care retirement community that hosts Worship Team performances and is a beneficiary of Oregon Dairy's Community Corn Pickin' 5K event.
• WellSpan HealthminorOthersWellSpan Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offered to all team members as a benefit, providing counseling and support resources.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Chimes: Chimes is a Pennsylvania- and Mid-Atlantic-based nonprofit supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, vocational, and day programs. Directly comparable in service model and faith-informed culture to Friendship Community.
• Merakey: Merakey is a large nonprofit operating residential, day, and behavioral health services for individuals with IDD across Pennsylvania and several other states. Closely comparable service bundle to Friendship Community with a broader geographic reach.
• Penn-Mar Human Services: Penn-Mar is a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit providing residential, day, and employment services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. Directly comparable to Friendship Community in mission, service mix, and PA footprint.
• Community Services Group: Community Services Group is a Pennsylvania-based human services nonprofit offering residential, day, and behavioral health programs for individuals with IDD. Directly comparable in service bundle and PA operating region.
• Barber National Institute: Barber National Institute is a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit providing residential, educational, and vocational services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. Comparable in service mix, PA footprint, and faith-based heritage to Friendship Community.

Broad incumbents

• BrightSpring Health Services: BrightSpring is a large, publicly traded provider of home- and community-based services for individuals with IDD and behavioral health needs. Comparable in residential and day services but operates at national scale across many service lines.
• Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network): Sevita is a national provider of home- and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable in IDD residential and day services but at significantly larger scale.
• The Arc of the United States: The Arc is a national nonprofit federation supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through advocacy, residential, and day programs. Overlaps with Friendship Community in mission and service mix but operates through a federated chapter model.
• UCP (United Cerebral Palsy): UCP is a national nonprofit providing residential, educational, and therapeutic services for individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Overlaps with Friendship Community in IDD residential and day service offerings.
• Volunteers of America: Volunteers of America is a large national faith-informed nonprofit providing residential and community-based services including programs for individuals with IDD. Comparable faith-informed heritage and residential service model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@friendshipcommunity
• Xx.com/FriendshipComm
• Facebookfacebook.com/FriendshipCommunity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Friendship Community