The Iris Network
The Iris Network is a community-based, state-wide, organization dedicated to serving people who are visually impaired or blind.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1905
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Iris Network does
The Iris Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1905 and headquartered in Portland, Maine. It delivers statewide vision rehabilitation and support services to people who are visually impaired or blind across Maine, operating four core service lines: Community-based Vision Rehabilitation Services (in-home training by Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists covering communications, adaptive kitchen skills, home management, and recreation); a Rehabilitation Center offering a 2-12 week intensive vocational program with 40+ hours of weekly instruction in assistive technology, orientation and mobility, Braille, and daily living skills, paired with on-campus apartment living; a Low Vision Center providing personalized assessments and retail sales of adaptive devices (video magnifiers, glare-control glasses, Alexa-enabled object labels); and Iris Park Apartments, a Level I assisted living facility with 30 subsidized independent-living units operated in partnership with Portland Housing Authority. The organization also runs a network of 12+ community support groups across Maine and partners with Hadley School for the Blind, AOEC, and Maine CITE.
Revenue is generated through a mix of state and federal government funding (Maine DBVI, federal RSA), individual donations and planned giving (including a Visionary Society for legacy gifts), special event fundraisers (Dining in the Dark, Indoor Golf Tournament, White Cane Awareness Day), vehicle donation programs, and subsidized housing rents (residents pay 30% of adjusted monthly income). The organization holds no private equity or venture funding and is governed by a Board of Directors led since 2018 by President and CEO Dr. David Barnwell. Geographic scope is limited to a single U.S. state, with no disclosed productized software, AI/ML, or digital service offerings beyond standard nonprofit communications and content hosting.
The Iris Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Iris Network
- Legal name
- The Iris Network
- Website
- https://www.theiris.org/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1905
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Iris Network is a community-based, state-wide, organization dedicated to serving people who are visually impaired or blind.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Iris Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vision Rehabilitation Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331)
- SIC
- Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Low Vision Rehabilitation (HLAKAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Computer Access & Alternative Input (Switch, Eye Gaze, Head/Mouse, Keyboards) (EDAKAIAD)
Keywords
Where The Iris Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Iris Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Funded in part by the State of Maine Department of Labor, Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI). Joint project with Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) for the Rehabilitation Center program. Services provided under state vocational rehabilitation programs.
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals supporting vision impairment services. Donors can give online, by mail, or by phone. Vehicle donations accepted (cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boats).
- Special Events Fundraising: Annual fundraising events including Dining in the Dark ($50 per ticket), Indoor Golf Tournament, and White Cane Awareness Day. All proceeds support The Iris Network programs.
- Planned Giving: Legacy gifts through wills, estate plans, charitable trusts, stocks, or annuities. Visionary Society membership for planned giving donors.
- Housing Subsidy Program: Iris Park Apartments operates 30 subsidized independent-living apartments. Seven 1-bedroom and three 2-bedroom apartments subsidized by Portland Housing Authority where residents pay 30% of adjusted monthly income.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Iris Park Apartments subsidized housing |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Dining in the Dark event tickets |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Iris Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Iris Network is a community-based, statewide nonprofit organization that delivers vision rehabilitation and independent-living services for people who are visually impaired or blind throughout Maine. Its core offerings include community-based in-home vision rehabilitation therapy, an intensive residential Rehabilitation Center vocational training program, a Low Vision Center that demonstrates and sells adaptive/assistive devices, and Iris Park Apartments, a Level I assisted living facility with 30 subsidized independent-living apartments.
Product overview
The Iris Network provides a comprehensive suite of vision rehabilitation and support services for people with vision impairment or blindness in Maine. The organization operates four core service lines: Community-based Vision Rehabilitation Services (in-home training by CVRTs), a Rehabilitation Center (intensive pre-vocational training with on-campus housing), a Low Vision Center (adaptive device assessments and sales), and Iris Park Apartments (assisted living housing). These services are complemented by local support groups and educational resources, all coordinated through the main campus in Portland, Maine.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Community-Based Vision Rehabilitation Services Community-based vision rehabilitation therapy delivered in clients' homes throughout Maine by Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRTs). Services include training in communications (large print, audio, Braille), adaptive kitchen skills, home management, personal management, and recreation, intended for individuals who are blind or visually impaired and seeking to remain independent in their own homes.
- Rehabilitation Center An intensive 2-12 week residential vocational development program at the Portland, Maine campus for working-age and young adults transitioning from school who are blind or visually impaired. The program delivers 40+ hours per week of comprehensive instruction in assistive technology, orientation and mobility, Braille, daily living skills, and manual arts, and includes on-campus apartment living with staff support.
- Low Vision Center A center that provides personalized assessments, demonstrations, and on-site retail sales of adaptive devices for individuals with significant vision changes. Devices include desktop and portable video magnifiers, handheld and stand magnifiers, glare-control glasses, large-print materials, adaptive kitchen tools, and Alexa-compatible household object identification labels (e.g., Pen Friend recording devices).
- Iris Park Apartments A Level I assisted living facility located at 201 Park Avenue, Portland, Maine, with 30 subsidized independent-living apartments (seven 1-bedroom and three 2-bedroom apartments subsidized by the Portland Housing Authority) designed specifically for persons with vision impairment or blindness. Residents pay 30% of adjusted monthly income, with preference given to visually impaired applicants needing assisted living services.
- Community Support Groups Local peer support groups for people with vision impairment and their families, meeting in 12+ locations throughout Maine including Dover, Damariscotta, Rumford, Lewiston/Auburn, Boothbay Harbor, Bangor, Waterville, and Augusta. Topics covered include recreation, employment, independent living, and community engagement, with groups including VISTA, VIP Sharing, Lewiston Auburn Support Group, and Bangor Low Vision Support Group.
Quantifiable outcome
- Helps individuals remain in their homes and avoid costly nursing home care
Companies that use The Iris Network
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Iris Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Iris Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- State of Maine Department of Labor, Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI)corePrimary state government partner providing funding and client referrals. Some services funded in part by DBVI. DBVI employees attend support groups to provide information and access to services. Works with VR counselors for Rehabilitation Center program development.
- Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)coreFederal partner in joint project for the Rehabilitation Center. RSA funding supports the innovative vocational development program for pre-vocational training and primary vision rehabilitation.
- Portland Housing AuthoritycorePartners to provide subsidized housing at Iris Park Apartments. Seven 1-bedroom and three 2-bedroom apartments are subsidized by Portland Housing Authority, with residents paying 30% of adjusted monthly income.
- Hadley School for the BlindminorPartnership to host Hadley Discussion Groups on The Iris Network website, connecting Maine residents with free online discussion groups covering topics like Braille, recreation, technology, and resources for people with vision loss.
- Adaptive Outdoor Education Center (AOEC)minorHosts AOEC programming and events on The Iris Network website. AOEC provides adaptive recreation and education programs for people with disabilities, including sailing, climbing, waterskiing, and other outdoor activities.
- Maine CITE (Community Inclusion through Technology)minorStatewide program helping people with disabilities increase independence through assistive technology. The Iris Network hosts the Maine CITE newsletter and programming, extending reach of both organizations.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights3 records
The Iris Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lighthouse Guild: National nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, behavioral health, and assistive technology services comparable to Iris Network's core vision rehab model, but at national scale and with broader service lines.
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB): National advocacy and service organization for blind Americans, offering state affiliate programming, training, and advocacy parallel to Iris Network's rehabilitation and community engagement mission.
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): National nonprofit focused on research, advocacy, and services for people with vision loss, overlapping with Iris Network's mission of independence and community integration for the visually impaired.
- Perkins School for the Blind: Historic nonprofit serving blind and deafblind individuals with education, rehabilitation, and assistive tech services, comparable to Iris Network's mission but with a stronger education and global programs focus.
Direct peers
- Carroll Center for the Blind: Massachusetts-based nonprofit offering intensive rehabilitation, assistive technology training, and vocational programs nearly identical to Iris Network's Rehabilitation Center and CVRT services.
- Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) - Rochester, NY: Regional nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, low vision services, and assistive technology for visually impaired individuals, structurally similar to Iris Network's community-based service model.
- Chicago Lighthouse: Midwest nonprofit offering vision rehabilitation, assistive technology, and employment programs for people with vision impairment, directly comparable to Iris Network's multi-service nonprofit model.
- Vision Forward Association: Wisconsin-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, low vision services, and assistive technology training, with a similar multi-service-line structure to The Iris Network.
- Alphapointe: Kansas City-based nonprofit serving people with vision impairment through rehabilitation, assistive technology, and employment services, comparable to Iris Network's vocational and rehabilitation programs.
Emerging players
- Hadley School for the Blind: National distance-education nonprofit offering free online discussion groups and training for visually impaired adults; already a partner of Iris Network and a potential adjacent or substitute provider for assistive tech training.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Iris Network social profiles
Digital presenceThe Iris Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Iris Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
The Iris Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Iris Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Iris Network
What does The Iris Network do?
The Iris Network is a community-based, statewide nonprofit organization that delivers vision rehabilitation and independent-living services for people who are visually impaired or blind throughout Maine. Its core offerings include community-based in-home vision rehabilitation therapy, an intensive residential Rehabilitation Center vocational training program, a Low Vision Center that demonstrates and sells adaptive/assistive devices, and Iris Park Apartments, a Level I assisted living facility with 30 subsidized independent-living apartments.
Is The Iris Network a public or private company?
The Iris Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Iris Network founded?
The Iris Network was founded in 1905. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Iris Network based?
The Iris Network is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Iris Network make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are individual Donations, special Events Fundraising, planned Giving and housing Subsidy Program.
Who are The Iris Network's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lighthouse Guild, National Federation of the Blind (NFB), American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and Perkins School for the Blind. Direct peers are Carroll Center for the Blind, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) - Rochester, NY, Chicago Lighthouse, Vision Forward Association and Alphapointe. Hadley School for the Blind is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Iris Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Iris Network.
What industry is The Iris Network in?
The Iris Network's product category is Vision Rehabilitation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAKAKAJ, Low Vision Rehabilitation, with a secondary code of BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech). Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 3851.