Creative Enterprises

What Creative Enterprises does

Creative Enterprises is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community rehabilitation program founded in 1976 and incorporated in 1979, headquartered in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The organization provides vocational rehabilitation, employment training, life skills instruction, and community integration services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across six campuses in Georgia (Gwinnett, Forsyth, Dawson, White, Franklin, and Barrow counties). Service delivery is built on a hybrid model combining on-site facilities — including a production facility, therapeutic greenhouse, community garden, art studio, cooking skills center, fitness building, day habilitation space, and a licensed cat shelter — with off-site community-based learning ("Classrooms Without Walls") and mobile training programs such as Creative Scoops (ice cream cart) and Creative Café.

Core programs fall into three funding-aligned categories: Vocational Rehabilitation Services funded through the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA); Georgia Medicaid Waiver Programs under the NOW (New Options) and COMP (Comprehensive Supports) waivers administered by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD); and Employment Support Services for privately funded individuals and those sponsored by NGOs such as United Way. The organization is CARF International-accredited since the 1980s across four service categories, which functions as both a quality credential and a regulatory moat for state contracting.

The revenue model is reimbursement-based, with the majority of operating funding derived from Georgia state agencies (GVRA and DBHDD Medicaid Waiver programs) supplemented by private family/trust payments, NGO sponsorships (United Way), and donations processed via PayPal. Marketing and referral are driven by community engagement, state agency partnerships, earned media (Suwanee Magazine, Gwinnett Citizen), the "Creative News" podcast, and direct family outreach. The go-to-market motion is community-led, with agency referrals serving as the primary demand generation channel and site tours as the conversion mechanism. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, as rates are set by state reimbursement schedules and individual funding circumstances.

Name

Creative Enterprises

Legal name

Creative Enterprises

Website

https://creativeenterprises.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Creative Enterprises is a 501(c)(3) community rehabilitation program operating six campuses across Georgia, providing vocational training, employment support, and life skills services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, funded primarily through Georgia Medicaid Waiver and Vocational Rehabilitation Agency contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Rehabilitation / Vocational Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Arts, Culture & Creative Placemaking Enterprises (BPAGALAO), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

Keywords

• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Community rehabilitation programs
• Disability employment services
• Medicaid waiver programs
• Supported employment training

Headquarters

HQ city

Lawrenceville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Georgia Medicaid Waiver Programs: Programs sponsored by Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Medicaid Waiver Programs. Services include employment, vocational training and employment assistance for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities through NOW and COMP waiver programs.
2. Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Services: Services funded through GVRA including work evaluations, supported employment, vocational training, job skills development, job coaching, and job development services.
3. Private and NGO Sponsorships: Programs for individuals with private, local, or NGO sponsors including family funds, trusts, and donations from community organizations like United Way.
4. Donations: The organization accepts financial donations, one-time or recurring, to general operations or specific campuses, as well as endowments and other financial instruments. Also accepts supply donations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Creative Enterprises is a non-profit Community Rehabilitation Program that delivers vocational rehabilitation, employment support, and life skills training to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Core services include Vocational Rehabilitation, Community Rehabilitation Programs (on-site and off-site work training), Georgia Medicaid Waiver Programs (NOW and COMP), and Employment Support Services, supplemented by program components such as horticulture, art, cooking, fitness, animal therapy, and Creative Scoops/Creative Café vocational outlets. Services are delivered through six campuses across Georgia and funded via state agencies, private sponsorships, and donations.

Product overview

Creative Enterprises operates as a single integrated Community Rehabilitation Program (not a platform product) offering multiple interconnected services for adults with disabilities. The core offering combines vocational rehabilitation services, Medicaid waiver programs (NOW/COMP), and employment support. Program components include a Production Facility for work training, Greenhouse and Horticulture Program, Art Program, Cooking Skills Training, Fitness Program, Classrooms Without Walls community outings, Animal Therapy, and a Licensed Cat Shelter. Campus-specific offerings include Creative Scoops ice cream cart (Forsyth) and Creative Café (volunteer service). All services work together to provide comprehensive training and employment opportunities, from life skills development to job placement and ongoing workplace support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vocational Rehabilitation Services Tailored vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities, including work evaluations, supported employment, vocational training, job skills development, job coaching, and high school student career exploration programs delivered in partnership with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA).
• Community Rehabilitation Programs On-site and off-site Community Rehabilitation Programs that promote skill development and employment for individuals with disabilities through work training, job placement assistance, and life skills training across Georgia campuses.
• Georgia Medicaid Waiver Programs (NOW and COMP) Specialized services under the Georgia DBHDD NOW (New Options) and COMP (Comprehensive Supports) Medicaid Waiver Programs, providing employment, vocational training, and life skills instruction for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• Employment Support Services Employment Support Services spanning job placement and ongoing workplace support to help individuals with disabilities achieve competitive employment.
• Production Facility On-site Production Facility providing labor resources to local businesses in a safe environment, with tasks scaled to individual abilities and work coaches providing supervision and training, allowing individuals to earn paychecks.
• Greenhouse and Horticulture Program Therapeutic horticulture program using the greenhouse and community garden to teach individuals to grow plants, vegetables, and fruits through all life cycles, with produce donated to the Lawrenceville Foodbank.
• Art Program Versatile art program allowing artists with disabilities to express themselves through numerous mediums, with artwork displayed and sold at galleries, libraries, and community events.
• Cooking Skills Training Center Kitchen-based training combining garden-to-table experiences using produce from the horticulture program to teach cooking and life skills to individuals with disabilities.
• Fitness Program Physical activity and wellness programs tailored to individual needs, promoting health, well-being, and independence through various exercise modalities.
• Classrooms Without Walls Community-based learning experiences including field trips, volunteering, restaurant outings, and visits to museums, theaters, parks, and libraries to support community integration.
• Animal Therapy and Licensed Cat Shelter Therapeutic activities involving therapy and service animals to support mental health, reduce anxiety, and promote interaction and responsibility, plus a GA licensed cat shelter (License #A341) offering cats and kittens for adoption.
• Creative Scoops Ice Cream Cart Transportable ice cream cart operated by the Forsyth County campus providing on-site job skills training to persons with disabilities at community events, schools, churches, businesses, and sporting events.
• Creative Café Volunteer-run breakfast service for courthouse jurors that provides job skills training and meaningful community connections for individuals with disabilities.
• Life Skills Training Personalized support to build everyday living skills including money management, cooking, personal care, and housekeeping, increasing confidence and independence.
• Educational Programs Classroom learning with emphasis on real-life scenarios and interactive engagement, enhanced by community experts sharing expertise and life experiences.
• Day Habilitation Services Day Habilitation programs delivered at the Gwinnett County campus Day Habilitation building (opened 2003), providing structured daytime programming for individuals with disabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Individuals trained to improve work behaviors and gain employment within the community
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 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.

• CARF InternationalcoreOthersCreative Enterprises is accredited through CARF International and has been since the 1980s. The organization is currently accredited for Community Employment Services: Employment Supports; Community Employment Services: Job Development; Community Integration; and Employee Development Services.
• Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative Enterprises assists GVRA in their mission to support people in acquiring competitive employment. Services include work evaluations, supported employment, vocational training, job skills development, job coaching, and job development. The organization also works in high schools with students to explore career opportunities.
• Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia DBHDD administers Medicaid Waiver Programs (NOW and COMP) that sponsor many of Creative Enterprises' programs. These programs provide direct employment, vocational training, and employment assistance to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• GATES (Georgia Association of Training, Employment and Supports)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative Enterprises is a member of GATES, a statewide association representing community rehabilitation providers. Executive Director Leigh McIntosh serves as a Director with GATES.
• The Rotary Club of Gwinnett CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreative Enterprises Gwinnett Campus is an active member of the Gwinnett Rotary Club through participation of Executive Director Leigh McIntosh. The Rotary Club is part of a global network of leaders working to create lasting change in communities.
• Food Well AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood Well Alliance partnered with Creative Enterprises on the Orchard Project in partnership with The Giving Grove. The organization also received a Community Garden Grant from Food Well Alliance to buy gardening tools, fencing, and a portable sink.
• Lawrenceville FoodbankminorOthersCreative Enterprises donates produce from their community garden to the Lawrenceville Foodbank as part of their community giving program.
• Deanna Specialty (Transportation)minorOthersTransportation services for Gwinnett campus clients are provided in partnership with Deanna Specialty, with Creative Enterprises being billed for scheduled transportation services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Arc: National nonprofit providing advocacy and direct services (including employment and community supports) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities — comparable I/DD focus and service portfolio.
• SourceAmerica: National nonprofit that connects people with disabilities to employment opportunities through AbilityOne and similar programs — comparable mission of competitive integrated employment for individuals with significant disabilities.
• Bobby Dodd Institute: Atlanta-based nonprofit providing vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, and community integration services for individuals with disabilities — same Georgia geography and similar Medicaid waiver / VR funding model.
• ServiceSource: Nonprofit organization delivering disability employment services, community rehabilitation, and vocational training — directly comparable to Creative Enterprises' supported employment and community integration programs.
• Penn-Mar Human Services: Pennsylvania-based nonprofit supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through employment, community living, and day programs — comparable service mix and CARF-accredited operating model.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing vocational rehabilitation, employment supports, and community-based services for people with disabilities — overlaps with Creative Enterprises' core mission of workforce development for individuals with I/DD.
• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit network that operates community rehabilitation programs, vocational training, and employment placement for individuals with disabilities — directly comparable mission and service mix to Creative Enterprises, but at much larger scale across multiple states.
• Aspiro (Wisconsin): Nonprofit providing vocational, educational, and residential services for individuals with disabilities in Wisconsin — directly comparable service portfolio and mission, though regional in footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Sevita Health (formerly MENTOR Network): National provider of home and community-based services, including day and vocational programs for individuals with I/DD — broader scope and scale than Creative Enterprises, but overlapping payer mix and populations served.
• BrightSpring Health Services: Large diversified home and community-based services provider serving individuals with I/DD and behavioral health needs — overlapping service categories but with broader geographic and clinical scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/creative_enterprises_
• Xx.com/creative_ent

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Creative Enterprises