Arc of Greater New Orleans

What Arc of Greater New Orleans does

Arc of Greater New Orleans (ArcGNO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1953 in Metairie, Louisiana, that delivers a comprehensive suite of direct-support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, and St. Tammany parishes. The organization supports more than 500 individuals through an integrated service portfolio spanning Family Support Coordination under Louisiana's EarlySteps program (ages 0-3), Supported Living Services for adults, Community Integration programming through four community centers (Chalmette, Uptown New Orleans, Westwego, Mandeville), Employment Services including Pre-Employment Transition Services for ages 14-22, IEP Support in Orleans Parish, and wheelchair-accessible transportation. ArcGNO's service delivery model relies on approximately 300 employees and is delivered through in-person community centers, in-home support, and virtual Zoom programming introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ArcGNO operates three revenue-generating social enterprises that employ individuals with IDD and subsidize the core mission. The Mardi Gras Recycle Center (MGRC) collects, sorts, and repackages more than 160 tons of Mardi Gras throws annually and sells them through a Metairie storefront and an online store at arcgnobeads.org. Paragon Industries provides commercial groundskeeping and janitorial services to local businesses including Rouses, Mr. Ed's Oyster House, and the U.S. Naval Base. Sterling Hall is a 12,000+ square foot event venue in Chalmette with capacity for 300+ guests, generating rental income from weddings, corporate events, and galas. Together these enterprises function as both employment platforms for program participants and earned-revenue streams.

The business model is a hybrid of government contract revenue (LDOE authorization, LRS referrals, EarlySteps, Pre-ETS), corporate and individual donations (including a tiered Circle of Champions/Patrons/Allies corporate partner program with Shell, Valero, and Associated Terminals), and earned income from social enterprises. Major funding counterparties include the Louisiana Department of Education, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, and United Way of Southeast Louisiana. ArcGNO has no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is human-led with Zoom-based virtual programming as the primary digital dependency. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by President Shannon B. Joseph and operates under Executive Director Heather Matthews, with a CXO team covering operations, clinical integrity, employment and community advancement, and finance.

Name

Arc of Greater New Orleans

Legal name

Arc of Greater New Orleans

Website

https://arcgno.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Arc of Greater New Orleans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1953 that delivers direct-support services, employment programs, and social enterprises to more than 500 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across five Louisiana parishes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Developmental Therapy / Early Childhood Special Instruction (EDACAFAG), Inclusive Infant & Toddler Care (Special Needs / IFSP-Aligned) (EDACAGAI), IEP/504 Planning, Case Management & Compliance (EDAJAKAB)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Community integration programs
• Supported living services
• Early intervention services
• Vocational rehabilitation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Metairie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Mardi Gras Retail Store Sales: The Mardi Gras Recycle Center collects, sorts, and repackages Mardi Gras throws for sale through retail and online stores. Proceeds support wages for participants with IDD and fund daily operations and IDD support services.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Cash donations, stock donations, legacy gifts through wills, beneficiary designations on retirement plans and life insurance policies, and in-kind gifts. Donations of more than $250 include automatic membership for one year.
3. Government-Funded Services: State-funded programs including EarlySteps for infants and toddlers (0-3 years), Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for students ages 14-22, and services through Louisiana Rehabilitation Services. Revenue comes from government contracts and waivers.
4. Social Enterprise Services: Commercial groundskeeping crews and janitorial services provide employment opportunities for individuals with IDD through contracted services with local businesses.
5. Sterling Hall Event Venue Rental: Sterling Hall event venue in Chalmette generates rental income while supporting the mission. The venue accommodates weddings, corporate events, charity galas, and other functions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Arc of Greater New Orleans (ArcGNO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers direct support services to more than 500 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across five Louisiana parishes. Its core offerings span early intervention (EarlySteps), supported living, community integration through community centers, employment placement and coaching, transportation, and IEP advocacy. The organization also runs social enterprises — the Mardi Gras Recycle Center retail store and Sterling Hall event venue — that create paid employment opportunities for participants while subsidizing mission services.

Product overview

Arc of Greater New Orleans provides a comprehensive suite of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, and St. Tammany parishes. The organization operates core service programs including Family Support Coordination (Early Intervention), Supported Living Services, Community Integration through four community centers, Employment Services with job placement and social enterprises, Transportation, and IEP Support. Additionally, ArcGNO operates social enterprises—the Mardi Gras Recycle Center/Retail Store and Sterling Hall Events venue—that create wage-earning jobs for individuals with IDD while generating revenue to subsidize services. The organization also launched a Virtual Community Center during COVID-19 to provide remote programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mardi Gras Recycle Center (MGRC): A social enterprise that collects, sorts, and repackages Mardi Gras throws to create wage-earning jobs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Also operates a retail store selling beads and carnival items.
• ArcGNO Mardi Gras Store
• Sterling Hall
• Virtual Community Center (VCC)
• Paragon Industries

Products and services

• Family Support Coordination (Early Intervention)
• Supported Living Services
• Community Integration Program
• Employment Services
• Transportation Services
• IEP Support
• Mardi Gras Recycle Center and Retail Store
• Sterling Hall Events
• Virtual Community Center (VCC)

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 160 tons of Mardi Gras throws collected and diverted from landfills annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Associated TerminalscoreOthersCircle of Champions level corporate partner. Major supporter of ArcGNO services and mission through charitable contributions.
• ShellcoreOthersCircle of Champions level corporate partner. Major supporter of ArcGNO services and mission through charitable contributions.
• ValerocoreOthersCircle of Champions level corporate partner. Major supporter of ArcGNO services and mission through charitable contributions.
• MerauxcoreOthersCircle of Heroes level corporate partner supporting ArcGNO mission and services.
• Chalmette RefiningcoreOthersCircle of Patrons level corporate partner and sponsor of St. Bernard Parish events.
• Gulf Coast Bank & TrustminorOthersCircle of Allies level corporate partner.
• United Way of Southeast LouisianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured partner on website footer. United Way provides funding and support to ArcGNO programs and services.
• People First of LouisianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelf-advocacy organization run by and for people with disabilities. ArcGNO hosts People First chapters in the region and supports training in self-advocacy, leadership, disability rights, and independent living.
• Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partnered with ArcGNO to provide employment services. Individuals who qualify through LRS are assisted with job placement in community businesses.
• Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState education agency that authorizes ArcGNO to provide free IEP support and family support coordination services in Orleans Parish.
• Krewe of House FloatsminorOthersMardi Gras krewe that shops at the Mardi Gras Recycling Center for beads, plush throws, trinkets, and more.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: Large national nonprofit providing disability services including early intervention, employment and community supports, overlapping ArcGNO's full IDD service portfolio at greater scale.
• Goodwill Industries International: Operates vocational rehabilitation, job training and placement for people with disabilities funded partly by retail social enterprise, mirroring ArcGNO's employment services and Mardi Gras retail model.
• Volunteers of America: Faith-based human-services nonprofit delivering supported living and services for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, overlapping ArcGNO's supported living and social-service work.

Direct peers

• ServiceSource: Nonprofit specializing in disability employment, job placement and community support services, directly comparable to ArcGNO's vocational rehabilitation and employment offerings.
• Best Buddies International: Nonprofit focused on inclusion, friendship and supported employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, directly comparable to ArcGNO's community integration and employment programs.
• Benchmark Human Services: Provides residential, employment and community-based services for individuals with IDD across multiple states, closely matching ArcGNO's core IDD service lines.
• The Arc of the United States: National network and effective parent brand for local Arc chapters serving people with IDD through advocacy and direct services; ArcGNO operates the same mission and service model at the regional level.
• AbleLight: Formerly Bethesda Lutheran Communities, provides supported living, community engagement and employment services for people with developmental disabilities, paralleling ArcGNO's program suite.

Others

• Special Olympics: Mission-aligned nonprofit serving people with intellectual disabilities through sports and inclusion programming; adjacent to ArcGNO's community-integration mission rather than a direct service competitor.

Regional players

• The Arc Baton Rouge: Sister Arc chapter serving people with IDD in another Louisiana region with the same service model, but operating in a different territory rather than competing in Greater New Orleans.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/arcgno
• Instagraminstagram.com/arcgno
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arc-of-greater-new-orleans

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Arc of Greater New Orleans