What Helping Hand does

Helping Hand is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1955 and headquartered in Countryside, Illinois, that serves more than 800 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across Cook County and greater Chicagoland. The organization operates an integrated portfolio of programs including an Illinois State Board of Education-approved special education school (HH School), a one-on-one outpatient therapy clinic (occupational, physical, speech, feeding therapy, counseling, and AAC evaluations), adult community day programs, 24/7 community-integrated living arrangements (CILA residential homes serving 70+ adults), and employment services placing 130+ individuals with employers such as Marriott and Whole Foods. The technology footprint is standard for human services: telehealth platforms for virtual therapy, AAC devices, patient portals for intake, and conventional clinical/educational tools.

Revenue is generated through four primary streams: service fees billed to private insurance and Medicaid managed care plans (accepting Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, HFN, Preferred, Health Marketing, and all Medicaid managed care plans except County Care) with posted private-pay rates of $90–$250 per therapy session; individual donations; corporate sponsorships and event partnerships; and signature fundraising events including an annual gala, golf outing, 5K run, and pickleball classic — the 27th Annual Gala alone raised over $400,000. The organization reports 251–500 employees and a published strategic plan targeting growth to a $30 million agency. Leadership is led by President & CEO Bill Dwyer and CFO Misti Faust, supported by a team of vice presidents spanning Programs, School Services, Strategic Initiatives, HR, Advancement, and Strategy & Organizational Effectiveness.

Helping Hand carries CARF International accreditation, NASET School of Excellence designation, Illinois State Board of Education approval, Platinum Transparency recognition from Candid, and Health Leadership Excellence Gold recognition, and has been voted a Best and Brightest Company to Work For for seven consecutive years. The organization is independent with no parent company, governed by a board of directors, and operates alongside a NextGen youth leadership program, Family & Friends Group, Associate Board of young professionals, and Special Olympics teams that extend its community footprint and donor pipeline.

Name

Helping Hand

Legal name

Helping Hand

Website

https://helpinghand-il.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Helping Hand is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1955 serving 800+ children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chicagoland through an integrated school, outpatient therapy clinic, adult day programs, CILA residential homes, and employment services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Services for Individuals with Disabilities

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF), Assistive Technology & AAC for Young Children (EDACAFAL), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Developmental disability programs
• Residential disability care
• Occupational therapy clinic
• Vocational employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Countryside

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Service Fees: Revenue from therapy and program services billed to insurance (private insurance, Medicaid managed care plans) and private pay clients. The organization accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, HFN, Preferred, Health Marketing, and all Medicaid Managed Care plans except County Care.
2. Individual Donations: Direct charitable contributions from donors supporting the nonprofit mission of transforming lives of individuals with I/DD.
3. Fundraising Events: Revenue from signature events including Annual Golf Outing, Pickleball Classic, Move With HH 5K, and An Evening of Transformation gala. Recent events have raised over $400,000 (gala) and $50,000 (5K).
4. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Support from corporate partners including program sponsorships, event sponsorships, in-kind support, and community outreach partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Helping Hand is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides integrated special education, outpatient therapy, adult day programs, 24/7 residential living (CILA), and vocational employment services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Cook County and greater Chicagoland. Programs include an Illinois State Board of Education-approved school, one-on-one therapy (OT, PT, Speech, Feeding, Counseling), community day services, supported employment, and case management, with a strategic plan to grow into a $30-million agency.

Product overview

Helping Hand is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization offering a coordinated portfolio of services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The core offerings include the HH School (Illinois State Board of Education-approved special education), the Outpatient Clinic (weekly one-on-one therapy), Community Day Programs, Community Living (CILA) residential services, and Employment Services. These programs are supplemented by the Afterhours Program (evening/weekend activities), Associate Board (young professional fundraising), Family & Friends Group (family community), NextGen (youth leadership for ages 14-22), and Special Olympics teams. The organization operates across Cook County and greater Chicagoland, serving over 750 individuals through person-centered, holistic programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Helping Hand School An Illinois State Board of Education-approved school providing integrated education combining academics, therapeutic, and behavioral skills for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Serves Early Elementary through Transition levels with classroom teams including BCBAs, OTs, PTs, SLPs, special education teachers, and behavior technicians.
• Outpatient Clinic Individualized weekly therapy services for children and adults with developmental disabilities, offering occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, feeding therapy, family counseling, and AAC evaluations on a one-on-one basis. Accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, HFN, Preferred, Health Marketing, and all Medicaid Managed Care plans except County Care.
• Community Day Programs Adult day services providing educational tracks focused on overall wellness, independence, and community integration. Includes Community Day Services, High School Transition programming, and Aging programs for individuals with disabilities experiencing dementia/Alzheimer's.
• Community Living (CILA) Community Integrated Living Arrangements providing 24/7 residential support in community-based homes. Offers individualized care, skill building, and independence development for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Employment Services Comprehensive employment support including vocational training, job placement, and employment consultation. Helps individuals prepare for, find, and maintain jobs in the community, with services for both job seekers and employment partners. Also includes Disability Inclusion Training for businesses.
• Afterhours Program Evening and weekend activities for adults with developmental disabilities offering Adventure & Exploration Groups, Leisure & Wellness Groups, and Career Club to strengthen social skills and foster independence.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 800 children and adults served annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Ruth Lake Country ClubminorOthers · 1 January 2025Venue partner for the 40th Annual Golf Outing event.
• TBS (Event Sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Presented sponsor for the Move With HH 5K event.
• Pittsburgh Pirates / Jack SuwinskiminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2023Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jack Suwinski partnered with Helping Hand for a community project creating and delivering Christmas art, featuring athletes engaging with clients.
• Illinois State Board of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Helping Hand School is officially approved by the Illinois State Board of Education, enabling partnerships with school districts for student referrals and special education services.
• Autism Society of IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school is a partner of the Autism Society of Illinois, supporting services for students with autism spectrum disorder.
• The Arc of IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelping Hand is an affiliate of The Arc of Illinois, providing access to advocacy resources, training, and policy support for people with developmental disabilities.
• StockXmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerStockX partnered with Helping Hand for the Move With HH 5K event, collaborating on custom-designed Air Force 1s created by clients to showcase creativity and individuality.
• Whole Foods Market - ElmhurstminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWhole Foods Market Elmhurst provides donations and volunteer partnerships to support Helping Hand's mission, strengthening community connections.
• SPF ChicagominorOthersVenue partner for the 3rd Annual Pickleball Classic.
• DynamicminorOthersPreferred vendor providing goods or services to Helping Hand.
• Mlady Commercial ServicesminorOthersPreferred vendor providing commercial services to Helping Hand.
• Terry Plumbing Co.minorOthersPreferred vendor providing plumbing services to Helping Hand facilities.
• Service One RestorationminorOthersPreferred vendor providing restoration services to Helping Hand.
• Riordan Signature HomesminorOthersPreferred vendor providing services to Helping Hand.
• WebitminorOthersPreferred vendor providing services to Helping Hand.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Search, Inc. Search, Inc. is a Chicago-area nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, and clinical supports for adults with developmental disabilities, competing with Helping Hand for the same adult-program and CILA referrals.
• Little City Foundation: Little City Foundation is a Chicagoland nonprofit providing residential, educational, clinical, and community-based services for individuals with I/DD, operating a similar integrated lifecycle model as Helping Hand in the same metro area.
• Clearbrook: Clearbrook is a Chicago-area nonprofit serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, day, therapeutic, and employment programs — a direct service-line overlap with Helping Hand in the same Chicagoland market.
• UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago: UCP Seguin is a Greater Chicago nonprofit serving children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities through residential, day, and employment programs — a comparable integrated disability services provider in the same region.

Emerging players

• Have Dreams: Have Dreams is a Chicagoland nonprofit providing autism-focused educational, vocational, and community programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, partially overlapping with Helping Hand's autism-affiliated school and adult services.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: Easterseals is a national nonprofit disability services network with a strong Chicagoland presence offering therapy, education, and employment services for people with disabilities and special needs — overlapping significantly with Helping Hand's outpatient, school, and employment lines at greater scale.

Others

• National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET): NASET is the industry/trade association that has recognized Helping Hand's school with its School of Excellence designation — relevant as an ecosystem body that influences accreditation, talent pipelines, and policy advocacy in the special-education space.
• The Arc of Illinois: The Arc of Illinois is the statewide advocacy affiliate of which Helping Hand is a member; it operates as a peer in the disability services ecosystem through chapter-based programs, policy advocacy, and family support for I/DD communities.
• CARF International: CARF International is the accrediting body that has accredited Helping Hand's programs; it serves as an industry standards-setter for human services providers and is comparable as a peer in the broader disability services ecosystem.

Regional players

• Marklund: Marklund is a nonprofit operating residential, day, and clinical programs for children and adults with I/DD in the Chicago suburbs — a comparable regional I/DD provider, though headquartered outside the immediate Chicagoland core.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hh_illinois
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/HelpingHandIL
• Facebookfacebook.com/helpinghandil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helpinghandil
• Instagraminstagram.com/helpinghandil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 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 Helping Hand