Cope Foundation
Cope Foundation, trading as Horizons, is an Irish registered charity providing disability services for approximately 3,500 people with intellectual disabilities across Cork city and county. Founded in 1958, it operates 120 service locations with 1,600 staff, delivering residential support, training, employment services, healthcare, and inclusive arts programmes.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1958
- HeadquartersCork, Ireland
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Cope Foundation does
Cope Foundation is a registered Irish charity (CHY 5288, Charity Registration No. 20007584) trading as Horizons, providing integrated disability services for people with intellectual disabilities across Cork city and county. Founded in 1958, the organisation operates from its head office at Blackpool Retail Park in Cork and supports approximately 3,500 individuals through 120 service locations with a workforce of 1,600 staff. Its service portfolio spans the full life course: Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNT) for early intervention, four training centres (Bonnington, Doras, An Tuath Nua, NASC) for post-school learning, residential and home-sharing living support, day centres and community hubs (including a newly opened hub in Clonakilty), Ability@Work employment support, allied healthcare services (dietetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, speech and audio), inclusive arts programming via Suisha Inclusive Arts, and physical activity programmes including Special Olympics participation. The organisation has no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is entirely people-intensive, supported by a standard website and social media presence.
The business model is fundamentally that of a Section 39-funded Irish disability services provider. The principal revenue stream is government funding through the Health Service Executive (HSE) for the delivery of disability services under public interest obligations, supplemented by charitable donations, fundraising campaigns, corporate partnerships (including Trigon Hotels), legacy gifts, and modest social enterprise income from Roots Coffee House operations at Beech Hill Garden Centre and the UCC campus. Services are provided at no direct cost to service users, with access via referral pathways through schools, Tusla, HIQA, and health professionals. Additional funding is secured through European Commission Erasmus+, Creative Ireland, and Léargas for the international inclusive arts programme.
Go-to-market is community-led rather than commercial: the organisation reaches beneficiaries and supporters through community hubs, day centres, residential homes, training centres, volunteer programmes, fundraising events, and digital channels including website, email newsletter, and social media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn). In 2026, Suisha Inclusive Arts received a global Zero Project Award at the United Nations Office in Vienna, providing international visibility for the inclusive arts programme. The organisation's operating footprint is exclusively domestic (Cork city and county), with no claimed global service delivery beyond arts performances.
Cope Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cope Foundation
- Legal name
- Cope Foundation
- Website
- https://horizonscork.ie
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1958
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Cope Foundation, trading as Horizons, is an Irish registered charity providing disability services for approximately 3,500 people with intellectual disabilities across Cork city and county. Founded in 1958, it operates 120 service locations with 1,600 staff, delivering residential support, training, employment services, healthcare, and inclusive arts programmes.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cope Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH), College Readiness & Disability Services Transition Support (EDAKANAB), Respite Care for Adults with Disabilities / Special Needs (HSABAGAI)
Keywords
Where Cope Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cork
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Cope Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Charitable Services Funding: Government-funded disability services provided under public interest obligations. Services include early intervention, school-age services, adult services, residential, day services, and training programmes.
- Donations and Fundraising: Voluntary donations from individuals, corporate supporters, and fundraising events. The organization runs Christmas fundraising campaigns and accepts major gifts, memorial donations, and legacies.
- Social Enterprise (Roots Coffee House): Revenue from coffee house operations at Beech Hill Garden Centre and UCC campus, providing work experience opportunities for people supported.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Disability support services provided at no cost to service users |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Cope Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cope Foundation (Horizons) provides integrated disability services for approximately 3,500 people with intellectual disabilities across Cork city and county, including residential living support, day and community services, four specialized training centres, employment support, allied healthcare, social work, inclusive arts, sports, and social enterprises. Services are funded primarily through government grants and charitable donations, and delivered through 120 locations by 1,600 staff.
Product overview
Cope Foundation (operating as Horizons Cork) is a disability services organization providing a comprehensive portfolio of integrated support services for people with intellectual disabilities across Cork city and county. The organization operates a multi-service model encompassing residential and living support (homes, day centres, community hubs, garden centres), learning and training programmes (four training centres: Bonnington, Doras, An Tuath Nua, NASC), employment support through Ability@Work, inclusive arts programming via Suisha Inclusive Arts, social enterprise through Roots Coffee House (two locations: Montenotte and UCC campus), healthcare services (dietetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, social work), children's disability services (CDNT), physical activity and sports programmes, and volunteer coordination. The organization supports approximately 3,500 people across 120 locations with 1,600 staff members.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Bonnington Training Centre (BTC): Training centre in Montenotte, Cork that supports young people to develop important life skills with classes in art, gardening, textiles, computers, music and drama.
- Doras Training and Employment Services
- An Tuath Nua
- NASC Training Centre
- Roots Coffee House
- Roots UCC
Products and services
- Living Support Residential and community-based living services including group homes, day centres, community hubs, garden centres, and home sharing options for people with intellectual disabilities in Cork.
- Bonnington Training Centre (BTC) 3-year training programme in Montenotte, Cork supporting young people with intellectual disabilities to develop life skills including art, gardening, textiles, computers, music, and drama.
- Doras Training and Employment Services 3-year post-school training service for people over 18 with intellectual disabilities, focused on developing work skills through job shadowing and work experience.
- An Tuath Nua Training Centre Training centre in Montenotte, Cork for people aged 18 to 21 with a diagnosis of autism and intellectual disability, offering social skills training, computer literacy, community integration, personal care programs, sensory development, and numeracy and literacy programmes.
- NASC Training Centre Post-school training centre for people with high support needs, providing training in computer skills, cookery, language and communication, independent living skills, maths, and arts and crafts.
- Ability@Work Employment Support Employment support services helping people with intellectual disabilities find and maintain meaningful employment.
- Suisha Inclusive Arts Inclusive arts programme featuring performances, presentations, and adult learning events. Awarded a global Zero Project Award for significant contribution and innovative solutions in inclusive arts. Performs at international venues including the UN Office in Vienna.
- Roots Coffee House Social enterprise coffee house in Beech Hill Garden Centre, Montenotte, providing people supported by Horizons with opportunities to develop practical work skills in a busy work environment. Open 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday to Saturday.
- Roots UCC Second Roots coffee house location opened in January 2020 at the new Student Hub on the main UCC campus. Serves Java Republic coffee and treats from Natural Foods Bakery. Open 10:00am to 3:30pm Monday to Thursday and until 3:00pm on Fridays.
- Day Centres and Community Hubs Day services providing community-based activities, social engagement, and support for adults with disabilities across various locations in Cork.
- Garden Centres Horticultural services providing vocational training and work experience in garden centre settings for people with intellectual disabilities.
- Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNT) Services providing support and coordination for children with disabilities and their families in the Cork region.
- Home Sharing Respite and residential support service matching people with intellectual disabilities with home sharing providers.
- Arts and Creative Arts Therapies Therapeutic arts services including visual arts, music, drama, and creative expression programmes for people with intellectual disabilities.
- Physical Activity and Sports Sports and fitness programmes including swimming, soccer, and other physical activities for people with intellectual disabilities.
- Social Work Services Social work support provided across all age groups from early intervention to school age to adult services. Social workers serve as first point of contact following diagnosis, supporting planning, coordination, and access to benefits.
- Healthcare Support Services Allied health services including Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, and Speech and Audio services for people supported by Horizons.
- Volunteer Programme Volunteer coordination offering opportunities in health and wellness, community and social engagement, arts and culture, life skills, advocacy and independence, and practical support across the Cork region.
Quantifiable outcome
- 38 athletes from Team Munster representing Horizons at Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games 2026
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Cope Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cope Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Cope Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Essl Foundation / Zero ProjectflagshipZero Project, run by the Essl Foundation, recognizes innovative solutions for persons with disabilities worldwide. Horizons' Suisha Inclusive Arts received a Global Zero Project Award for inclusive arts work, with presentations and performances at the UN Office in Vienna.
- Creative IrelandcoreArts and cultural funding initiative supporting inclusive arts programs.
- Cork ArtsminorLocal arts organization supporting inclusive arts initiatives.
- Cork Theatre CollectiveminorLocal theatre organization collaborating on arts performances.
- Cork ETBcoreCork Education and Training Board providing educational programs and art classes for people supported by Horizons.
- MTU CSM (Munster Technological University - Cork School of Music)minorAcademic institution supporting music and arts education collaboration.
- UCC TheatreminorUniversity theatre department supporting performing arts initiatives.
- Trigon HotelsminorCorporate partner supporting through fundraising efforts, employment and placement opportunities, and initiatives such as sensory garden projects. Kathleen Linehan, Strategic Director of Human Resources, is quoted supporting the partnership.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cope Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Western Care Association: Mayo-based Irish disability services charity delivering residential, day, respite, and training services to people with intellectual disabilities. Operates a multi-site regional service model analogous to Horizons' Cork footprint.
- St. Michael's House: Dublin-based voluntary organisation providing services to people with intellectual disabilities, including residential, day, training, and therapy supports. Comparable full-lifecycle service model and Irish Section 38/39 charity structure.
- Camphill Communities of Ireland: Irish provider of intentional community and day services for people with intellectual disabilities and autism. Shares the person-centred values framework and provides comparable residential and training offerings.
- Kare (Kildare): Kildare-based voluntary organisation providing services to people with intellectual disabilities and autism across residential, day, and training settings. Comparable service mix and Irish charity funding model, though smaller in scale.
- St John of God Community Services: Irish disability and mental health services provider with residential, day, and clinical services. Shares the model of faith-inspired, multi-site disability service delivery and similar regulatory and funding environment.
- Rehab Group: One of Ireland's largest disability and social inclusion charities, providing training, employment, and health and social services. Overlaps significantly with Horizons' Ability@Work employment support and training centre offerings, though operating at national scale.
- Brothers of Charity Services Ireland: Large Irish charity providing residential, day, and training services to people with intellectual disabilities across multiple counties. Operates under similar Section 38/39 funding arrangements and comparable service portfolio, making it the closest peer in scale and model.
- Cheshire Ireland: Irish disability services charity providing supported living, residential, respite, and day services to people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Direct overlap in service types and Irish Section 38/39 funding model.
- Enable Ireland: National Irish disability services organisation delivering children's services, adult services, training, and assistive technology supports. Comparable service breadth and government-funded charity structure with overlapping customer base of people with disabilities and their families.
Broad incumbents
- Mencap (UK): UK's leading learning disability charity, providing a wide range of services, advocacy, and employment support. Comparable service categories and customer base, though operating at national UK scale rather than regional Irish.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cope Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceCope Foundation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Cope Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cope Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Cope Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cope Foundation 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 Cope Foundation
What does Cope Foundation do?
Cope Foundation (Horizons) provides integrated disability services for approximately 3,500 people with intellectual disabilities across Cork city and county, including residential living support, day and community services, four specialized training centres, employment support, allied healthcare, social work, inclusive arts, sports, and social enterprises. Services are funded primarily through government grants and charitable donations, and delivered through 120 locations by 1,600 staff.
Is Cope Foundation a public or private company?
Cope Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Cope Foundation founded?
Cope Foundation was founded in 1958. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Cope Foundation based?
Cope Foundation is headquartered in Cork, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Cope Foundation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Charitable Services Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising and social Enterprise (Roots Coffee House).
Who are Cope Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Western Care Association, St. Michael's House, Camphill Communities of Ireland, Kare (Kildare), St John of God Community Services, Rehab Group, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland, Cheshire Ireland and Enable Ireland. Mencap (UK) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Cope Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cope Foundation.
What industry is Cope Foundation in?
Cope Foundation's product category is Disability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech). Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8300.