California Foundation For Independent Living Centers

What California Foundation For Independent Living Centers does

California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit disability advocacy organization founded in 1976 and headquartered in Sacramento, California. CFILC operates as the statewide trade association for California's Independent Living Centers (ILCs), with 22 of the state's 28 operating ILCs paying membership dues. Its mission is to increase access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities by building the capacity of ILCs through systems change advocacy, training, peer support, and direct program delivery. The organization is consumer-controlled, with a board requirement that a majority of decision makers are persons with disabilities, and it coordinates statewide policy advocacy while member ILCs handle local direct service delivery.

CFILC's programmatic portfolio includes Ability Tools (assistive technology access), Disability Disaster Access and Resources (emergency preparedness for disability and aging communities), Digital Access Project (affordable broadband for low-income individuals with disabilities), California Assistive Technology Reuse Coalition, Freedom Tech, Disability Organizing Network, and YO! Disabled And Proud (youth engagement). Underlying technology consists of standalone nonprofit websites and program microsites rather than a proprietary platform; no AI/ML, SDK, or API products are documented. The organization reports serving 26,750 individuals with disabilities, delivering 166,596 services, and contributing 53,534 community service hours through the ILC network.

CFILC's revenue model combines member dues (tied to Title VII federal and AB 204 state funding received by member ILCs), state and federal government grants, and individual donations. Services to end consumers — people with disabilities across California — are provided at no cost through the member ILC network. The organization employs 10+ named staff plus additional program coordinators, maintains GuideStar Exchange Gold Participant status, and pursues WCAG 2.1 and Section 508 accessibility compliance on its digital properties.

Name

California Foundation For Independent Living Centers

Legal name

California Foundation for Independent Living Centers

Website

https://cfilc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CFILC is a Sacramento-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1976 that serves as the statewide trade association for California's Independent Living Centers, building capacity through advocacy, training, and programs like Ability Tools, DDAR, and Digital Access Project for people with disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services and Independent Living Support

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Business Associations (81391), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Disability advocacy services
• Independent living support
• Assistive technology access
• Disability rights organizing
• Nonprofit capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Member Dues: Each member Independent Living Center pays dues based on Title VII (federal) and AB 204 (state) funding they receive. Full voting members are Executive Directors of Independent Living Centers meeting Title VII requirements.
2. Government Grants: CFILC receives government funding including a significant 3.3 million dollar Systems Change and Community Education grant from the State Independent Living Council in 1996. Funding comes from state and federal sources for disability services.
3. Donations: The organization accepts donations through its website and has specific memorial funds such as the Teresa Favuzzi Mobilization Fund and Laurie Hoirup YLF Sustainability Fund.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) is a statewide nonprofit trade association that builds the capacity of California's 28 Independent Living Centers (ILCs) through training, advocacy, and program coordination. It operates free programs for people with disabilities, including assistive technology access (Ability Tools), disaster preparedness (Disability Disaster Access and Resources), affordable internet (Digital Access Project), and assistive technology reuse (California Assistive Technology Reuse Coalition). CFILC sustains these activities through member dues from ILCs, state and federal government grants, and charitable donations.

Product overview

CFILC operates as a centralized organization offering multiple programs and initiatives focused on disability services and independent living. The core offerings include Ability Tools (assistive technology access), Disability Disaster Access and Resources (emergency preparedness), Digital Access Project (affordable internet), and the California Assistive Technology Reuse Coalition. Additional programs include Freedom Tech, Disability Organizing Network, and YO! Disabled And Proud for youth engagement. These programs work together to provide comprehensive support for people with disabilities across California through information, resources, training, and community organizing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ability Tools: Program expanding accessibility of tools, resources and technology to increase independence, improve personal productivity, and enhance quality of life for Californians.
• Disability Disaster Access and Resources
• Digital Access Project
• Freedom Tech
• Disability Organizing Network
• YO! Disabled And Proud
• California Assistive Technology Reuse Coalition

Products and services

• Ability Tools

Quantifiable outcome

• 26,750 individuals with disabilities served by ILC network
• +2 more outcomes

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

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and strategic.

• Tri-County Independent LivingcoreOthersMember ILC serving Eureka, CA area. Part of the core network of 28 Independent Living Centers that deliver services across California. Also designated as DDAR (Disability Disaster Access & Resources) and ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Connection) provider.
• Marin Center for Independent LivingcoreOthersMember ILC serving San Rafael, CA. Part of the One Door service delivery model with partnership with Marin Aging and Adult Services. Also designated as DDAR and ADRC provider. Merged with Matrix Parent Network in 2024.
• Placer Independent Resource ServicescoreOthersMember ILC serving Auburn, CA. Designated as ADRC provider. Provides advocacy and independent living services in the Placer County area.
• Rolling Start Center for Independent LivingcoreOthersMember ILC serving San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono Counties. Designated as DDAR and ADRC provider. Previously led by current CFILC Executive Director Lisa Hayes.
• Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (CID)coreOthersMember ILC serving San Mateo County. Designated as DDAR provider. Hosts DDAR Coordinator position and emergency preparedness programs.
• Center for Independent Living, Inc. (Berkeley)coreOthersMember ILC serving Berkeley, CA. One of the pioneering centers in the Independent Living Movement. Designated as DDAR and ADRC provider.
• Disability Resource Agency for Independent Living (DRAIL)coreOthersMember ILC serving Modesto, CA. Designated as DDAR and ADRC provider.
• Disability Community Resource Center (DCRC)coreOthersMember ILC serving Los Angeles, CA. Designated as DDAR provider. Represents the major metropolitan area in the ILC network.
• State Independent Living CouncilmajorOthersState-level body that provided CFILC's first major infrastructure grant (3.3 million dollar Systems Change and Community Education grant in 1996). Conducts certification of ILCs for state and federal funding.
• California Department of RehabilitationmajorOthersState agency that conducts certification for ILCs to receive state and federal funding. Sets requirements including 51% disability representation on Boards.
• California Association of Area Agencies on Aging (C4A)strategicOthersCFILC hosts job postings for C4A Operations Manager position. C4A is a partner organization supporting older adults and people with disabilities through Area Agencies on Aging.
• County of Marin Aging and Adult ServicesstrategicOthersMarin CIL partners with county Aging and Adult Services as part of the One Door service delivery model and Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) partnership.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Disability Rights Fund: Global grantmaking organization supporting disability rights organizations, particularly in the Global South. Thematically comparable as a disability-focused grantmaking entity that could be a funder or partner to CFILC's international counterparts.

Broad incumbents

• World Institute on Disability: California-based disability advocacy and policy organization founded in 1983. Comparable as an established California disability organization working on independent living, employment, and technology access.
• Easterseals Southern California: Major regional provider of disability services including assistive technology, autism services, and employment programs. Comparable as a large California-focused disability services nonprofit with multi-service offerings.
• United Cerebral Palsy of California: California disability services organization providing housing, advocacy, and supports. Comparable as a state-level disability services and advocacy nonprofit with similar consumer-control philosophy and government funding reliance.

Emerging players

• The Arc of California: State chapter of The Arc, advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable as a California disability advocacy organization serving a specific disability community through a chapter network.
• Disability Rights California: California's federally funded Protection and Advocacy system for people with disabilities. Comparable as a major California disability rights organization, though focused on legal advocacy rather than ILC network coordination.

Direct peers

• National Council on Independent Living: National federation of Independent Living Centers and state councils, including CILs and SILCs. Directly comparable as the national umbrella organization for the ILC network that CFILC coordinates at the California state level.
• Independent Living Research Utilization: National research and training center for the ILC network, providing resources, training, and technical assistance. Highly comparable as a peer capacity-building organization serving CILs/SILCs across multiple states.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/_cfilc

Compliance3 records

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 California Foundation For Independent Living Centers