Barrier-Free

What Barrier-Free does

Barrier-Free is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 84-2964880) headquartered in Sykesville, Maryland, that delivers integrated-arts programming for neurodivergent adults aged 18 and older, primarily those with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism spectrum conditions, drawn from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The organization operates a portfolio of programs including two inclusive theater companies (Company A for intellectual/developmental disabilities and Company B for autism) that produce original full-scale musicals performed at McDaniel College Theater, a Life Skills & Social Studio in Downtown Sykesville offering integrated-arts life and social skills development with a 4:1 inclusion ratio, individualized skill coaching, expressive arts and music classes, a peer-based Social Club, an LGBTQ+ peer-support group (OUT Loud), and supportive independent living services. The underlying delivery model is built on drama therapy techniques (e.g., the Conversations 101 social-skills curriculum), authentic community-based practice (using restaurants, stores, and theaters as skill environments), and original content co-created with participants.

Barrier-Free reports serving 120+ participants annually with 2,850 hours of programming and a 96% participant retention rate. Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit funding stack: individual and corporate donations, corporate sponsorships across multiple tiers (Star $100 to Supernova $5,000+), program tuition offset by the Robert & Ernestine Rodgers Scholarship Fund, merchandise sales through an online store, event-based fundraising, and government and foundation grants (documented recipients include Carroll County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council, and Safeway Foundation). Distribution is entirely regional and in-person via the Sykesville studio, Westminster theater rehearsals, and community outings, with no digital or app-based delivery channel and no public API. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth within the disability community, partnerships with disability organizations and local municipalities, and earned local media coverage.

The organization is led by Executive Director Lauren Burr and Creative Director Britt Burr, with co-founder Michael Eaton, and operates under a board of directors with no parent company or subsidiaries. Form 990 filings exist for fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024, though specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed in available sources.

Name

Barrier-Free

Legal name

Barrier-Free

Website

https://barrierfreemd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Barrier-Free is a Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers integrated-arts programming, including inclusive theater, life-skills studios, and social clubs, for neurodivergent adults across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Disability Social Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Educational Services (611), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Inclusive / Co-Taught Special Education Programs (EDAKAAAK), Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI), Special Needs & Inclusive Educational Programming (MPABAKAJ), Inclusive Classroom Environment & Sensory-Friendly Design Support (EDAKABAJ)

Keywords

• Disability life skills
• Inclusive theater programs
• Neurodiversity social services
• Adult disability services
• Social skills development

Headquarters

HQ city

Sykesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Barrier-Free is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that relies heavily on direct donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and foundation grants. They conduct annual Purple Bucket Campaign fundraising. EIN: 84-2964880.
2. Program Fees and Tuition: Revenue from inclusive theater company tuition, class tuition, studio tuition, and social club events. Financial assistance and scholarships are available through the Robert & Ernestine Rodgers Scholarship Fund.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling apparel, accessories, jewelry, and merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, earrings, stuffed animals, mugs, and bumper stickers. All proceeds fund programming and operational costs.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Business sponsors at various levels (Supernova $5000+, Superstar $1000+, Shooting Star $500+, All-Star $250+, Star $100+). Includes monthly donors and local business sponsors.
5. Event-Based Fundraising: Funds with Friends restaurant fundraisers, holiday party ticket sales, vendor fees at events, ad sales in theater programs, Facebook Fundraisers, and legacy gifts through estate planning.
6. Government and Foundation Grants: Arts Development Grants from Carroll County Arts Council ($11,100) and Maryland State Arts Council ($5,209), Safeway Foundation grant ($2,000), Community Arts Development Grant ($4,760), and Arts Opportunity Mini-Grant ($1,000).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Barrier-Free is a nonprofit organization that delivers integrated-arts programming for neurodivergent adults 18+, including inclusive theater companies that create original full-scale musicals, a Life Skills & Social Studio combining drama therapy with life and social-skills development, individualized skill coaching, music and expressive arts classes, a peer-based Social Club, and OUT Loud peer support for neurodiverse LGBTQ+ individuals. Programs serve participants from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and are funded through donations, grants, sponsorships, program tuition with scholarships, and merchandise sales.

Product overview

Barrier-Free is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of integrated-arts programs for neurodiverse adults 18+. The core offerings include Inclusive Theater Companies (Company A for intellectual/developmental disabilities; Company B for autism) where participants create original full-production musicals; the Life Skills & Social Studio providing life and social skills development through integrated arts; Individualized Skill Coaching for independence and employment goals; Expressive Arts Programs with improvisational acting, dance, and other arts; a Music Studio with jam sessions and lessons; a Social Club for peer-based community outings; OUT Loud for neurodiverse LGBTQ+ support; and Supportive Independent Living for independent living with plug-in support. The organization also operates a merchandise store with proceeds supporting programming. The programs collectively serve adults from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, with the Life Skills & Social Studio located in Historic Downtown Sykesville and theater rehearsals in Westminster, Maryland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Inclusive Theater Companies (Company A & B) Two inclusive theater companies where neurodiverse adults ages 18+ collaboratively create and perform original full-production musicals at McDaniel College Theater, complete with costumes, tech, and music; Company A serves adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and Company B serves adults with autism.
• Life Skills & Social Studio A studio in Historic Downtown Sykesville, Maryland that supports the development of life and social skills for neurodiverse adults through an integrated-arts model with emphasis on interpersonal interaction, authentic practice, and group collaboration.
• Individualized Skill Coaching Program that supports neurodivergent adults in achieving independence, employment, or social goals through highly-skilled coaches who work with participants and families to develop individualized goal plans.
• Expressive Arts Programs Classes covering themes including improvisational acting, dance, and other expressive arts designed for neurodivergent adults, supporting self-expression and social-skill development.
• Music Studio Music programs including jam sessions and individual music lessons for neurodivergent adults, supporting creative expression and skill development.
• Social Club Social programming that empowers neurodivergent individuals to build friendships, navigate societal intricacies, and foster increased independence through peer-based activities and community outings to local venues.
• OUT Loud A social and peer-support group for neurodiverse LGBTQ+ individuals to gather, build community, and make supportive connections, meeting on the third Thursday of each month in Downtown Sykesville.
• Supportive Independent Living Part of the Skill Coaching program that provides individuals with opportunities to live independently with plug-in support while increasing community participation.
• Barrier-Free Merchandise Store Online store selling Barrier-Free merchandise including apparel (hoodies, t-shirts, jackets), accessories (bags, hats, bumper stickers), jewelry, and gift cards, with all proceeds funding programming and operational costs.
• Robert & Ernestine Rodgers Scholarship Fund Scholarship program that alleviates the financial burden of program fees for participants in Inclusive Theater Companies, ensuring talented individuals can engage fully in Barrier-Free theater experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% participant retention rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, notable, core and minor.

• Blue Apple Theatre (UK)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 July 2020International inclusive theater collaboration. On July 25, 2020, Barrier-Free joined forces with Blue Apple Theatre for a co-presented 'hands across the ocean' workshop. Blue Apple Theatre is a UK non-profit that produces high-quality theatre, dance and film to challenge prejudice and transform lives of people with learning disabilities. Six Barrier-Free actors participated in the 75-minute virtual workshop.
• MAKE StudionotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected Barrier-Free artists for inclusion in Cordially Invited art exhibitions celebrating art from studios serving artists with disabilities. Multiple years of partnership including Cordially Invited IV and V.
• Downtown Sykesville ConnectionnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting Barrier-Free mission. Partnership on Black History Month Art Show, community events, and Main Street programming.
• Town of SykesvillenotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing community support and collaboration on local events and initiatives.
• Hussman Center for Adults with Autism (Towson University)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Towson University's autism center supporting programming and community connections.
• Tidal Salt Co.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoutique artisan shop on Main Street where Barrier-Free art and jewelry is sold. Partnership on job skills training where participants learn retail and business management skills. Shop also personalizes Barrier-Free merchandise including hoodies.
• Hatton Animal RescuenotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly volunteering at animal rescue in Glenelg, MD where Barrier-Free members learn job skills including animal care, cleaning, and feeding.
• The Band ShoppenotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal music store providing employment opportunity for Barrier-Free participant Tyler in music-related job.
• Botanigal (Hannah's Horticulture)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerHorticulture therapy partner. Botanigal selected Barrier-Free as their December non-profit receiving 1% of monthly sales. Participant Katie works there on Fridays.
• McDaniel CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarrier-Free theater performances are held at McDaniel College Theater. Partnership with Student Accessibility & Support Services office.
• Anchor Counseling CentersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health counseling center that is a supportive neighbor in Downtown Sykesville and attends Barrier-Free events.
• Pork & Beans Store of WestminsterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoffee roaster producing Barrier-Free blend with 15% of each bag benefiting the organization.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• National Theater of the Deaf: Long-established national theater company featuring deaf and hard-of-hearing performers. Comparable inclusive-theater mission but serves a different disability community (deaf/HoH rather than autism/IDD); represents the broader inclusive-theater category.
• Autism Society of Maryland: Statewide advocacy and resource organization for the autism community in Maryland. Overlapping population focus but broader informational, advocacy, and resource-navigation role versus direct program delivery.
• The Arc Maryland: State chapter of the national disability advocacy and services network serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Operates a broader portfolio of advocacy, residential, and employment services in Maryland; comparable population but at a wider scale and broader mission scope.

Regional players

• Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group: Maryland-based family support and advocacy organization for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Comparable geographic footprint and disability-services scope; focused on support/networking rather than arts-based programming.
• Hussman Center for Adults with Autism (Towson University): Towson University-affiliated program providing services for adults with autism in Maryland. Comparable adult-autism-serving mission; documented Barrier-Free partner, but operates from a university research base rather than a community-arts model.

Direct peers

• Penn-Mar Human Services: Pennsylvania/Maryland-based nonprofit supporting people with intellectual disabilities and autism through residential, vocational, and community programs. Operates in overlapping geography and serves similar neurodiverse adult populations with comparable employment and community-integration services.
• MAKE Studio: Baltimore-based art studio representing artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Directly comparable as both serve neurodiverse adult populations through arts-based programming; they are documented partners via Cordially Invited art exhibitions.
• The Miracle Project: National inclusive theater and arts program for individuals with autism and other disabilities. Directly comparable integrated-arts / theater-based model serving similar neurodiverse populations; represents the broader scaling archetype Barrier-Free could follow.
• Blue Apple Theatre: UK-based inclusive theatre company that produces high-quality theatre, dance, and film for people with learning disabilities. Directly comparable as both operate inclusive theatre companies serving neurodiverse adults; Barrier-Free's documented international co-presentation with Blue Apple Theatre (2020) confirms deep operational alignment.
• Target Community and Educational Services: Maryland-based nonprofit providing educational, vocational, and residential services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Geographic overlap and similar adult-focused services (employment, day programs, community integration) make this a strong comparable; a Barrier-Free mentor previously worked here.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/barrierfreemd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFQL106cxMYMWnnOMdB3QVg
• Facebookfacebook.com/BarrierFreeMD
• Instagraminstagram.com/barrierfreemd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/barrierfreemd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Barrier-Free