What Holy Angels does

Holy Angels, Inc. (EIN 51-0230406) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1955 by the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont, North Carolina, and a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The organization delivers round-the-clock residential care, medical, special education, therapeutic, vocational, and recreational services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and delicate medical conditions, serving more than 80 residents on its main campus plus capacity for up to 50 adults in outreach/day programs across Gaston and Mecklenburg counties. Core service lines are Residential Services, Medical Services (contracted dental, medical, and nutritional professionals), Special Education, Therapeutic Services (physical therapy, speech therapy, adaptive technologies), Creative Arts Programs, the Life Choices Adult Day Program, Vocational Opportunities, and the 15-acre Camp Hope accessible recreational facility on the South Fork of the Catawba River. Holy Angels also operates a portfolio of sponsored businesses — Cherubs Cafe, Cotton Candy Factory, Spruced Goose Station, Market on Main, and (until May 2026) Bliss Gallery — that function as both vocational training sites and revenue-generating retail outlets.

The revenue model is a hybrid: the majority of clinical and residential services are funded through government/Medicaid/ICF reimbursement, the Holy Angels Foundation must raise approximately 20% of the annual operating budget through donations, fundraising events (e.g., Carolina Classic, Angel Bowl, Clay Shoot, Share the Light Gala), and grants, family contributions are ability-to-pay, and sponsored-business proceeds support resident care. Holy Angels is one of the largest employers in Gaston County at 350+ full- and part-time staff, including direct support professionals, medical personnel, educators, and administrative staff. Operations are governed by a Board of Directors (chaired by Jason Shoemaker of Teague Campbell) and led by President/CEO Kerri Massey, with a broad C-suite bench covering clinical, nursing, finance, programs, resource development, marketing, and communications functions.

The 2024-2029 Strategic Plan is being executed alongside the largest physical expansion in the organization's 70-year history: a $21 million Children's Campus Expansion project (general contractor Southside Constructors, architect Boomerang Design) culminating in the June 2026 dedication of the Treescape Campus and the launch of the Holy Angels Learning Center. Regulatory credentials include CARF Three-Year Accreditation across six service categories (September 2025), a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating, and a record of deficiency-free state surveys and Social Security Administration audits. Contemporary trust burdens include the April 2026 Morrow Center fire and the May 2026 closure of Bliss Gallery.

Name

Holy Angels

Legal name

Holy Angels, Inc.

Website

https://holyangelsnc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Holy Angels is a Belmont, NC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1955 providing round-the-clock residential, medical, educational, and vocational services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Carolinas, funded via Medicaid, donations, and five sponsored businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Human Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Religious Organizations (8131), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Healthcare Ministries (Hospitals, Clinics, Medical Missions) (BPAGAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Faith-Based / Nonprofit Assisted Living Providers (HLADABAH)

Keywords

• Disability residential care
• Developmental disability services
• Special education programs
• Vocational training services
• Adult day programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Belmont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a nonprofit, Holy Angels depends on corporate contributions, individual financial donations, and volunteer time. The Holy Angels Foundation must raise approximately 20% of the total annual operating budget through fundraising efforts.
2. Government Funding and Medicaid: Balance of operating budget comes from government sources, Medicaid and other state/federal assistance programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
3. Sponsored Business Enterprises: Holy Angels operates five sponsored businesses (Cherubs Cafe, Cotton Candy Factory, Spruced Goose Station, Market on Main, and formerly Bliss Gallery) that provide vocational employment to residents while generating proceeds that go toward serving residents in care.
4. Family Contributions: Families are asked to pay what they can for the cost of care for a loved one based on their individual financial situation. In some cases, individuals may qualify for state and federal government assistance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Holy Angels provides round-the-clock residential living, medical care, special education, habilitation, and therapeutic services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and delicate medical conditions. The organization also operates an adult day program (Life Choices), vocational opportunities through five sponsored businesses (Cherubs Cafe, Cotton Candy Factory, Spruced Goose Station, Market on Main, and formerly Bliss Gallery), creative arts programs, and the Camp Hope recreational facility. Services are delivered at its Belmont, NC main campus and satellite locations in Cramerton, NC.

Product overview

Holy Angels is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of residential, medical, educational, and vocational services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and delicate medical conditions. The core portfolio includes Residential Services, Medical Services, Special Education, Therapeutic Services (physical therapy, speech therapy, adaptive technologies), Creative Arts Programs, Life Choices Adult Day Program, Vocational Opportunities, and Camp Hope recreational facility. The organization also operates five sponsored businesses—Cherubs Cafe, Cotton Candy Factory, Spruced Goose Station, and Market on Main—that provide meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities. Recently expanded with the Treescape Campus and Learning Center as part of the Children's Campus Expansion project.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cherubs Cafe: Cafe and candy shop providing vocational training and meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities
• Cotton Candy Factory
• Bliss Gallery
• Spruced Goose Station
• Market on Main
• Camp Hope
• Life Choices
• Great Adventures

Products and services

• Residential Services Round-the-clock residential care for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and delicate medical conditions in a loving and compassionate environment at the Belmont, NC main campus.
• Medical Services Comprehensive medical services for residents including contracted medical, dental, and nutritional professionals providing healthcare tailored to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Special Education and Habilitation Special education and habilitation services tailored to meet the individual needs of each resident with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Life Choices Adult Day Program Adult day services assisting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in daily living activities and vocational skills, located in Cramerton, NC. Participants may test vocational skills at Cherubs Cafe or Cherubs Candy Bouquet.
• Vocational Opportunities Vocational training and supported employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities, delivered through the organization's sponsored business enterprises and supported employment programs.
• Therapeutic Services Comprehensive therapeutic services including physical therapy, speech therapy, and adaptive technologies to help individuals with disabilities achieve their potential.
• Creative Arts Programs Recreation and creative arts therapies including dance troupe, handbell choir, horticulture, music therapy, and visual art, guided by on-staff creative arts therapists.
• Camp Hope Recreational facility on the South Fork of the Catawba River providing outdoor experiences for Holy Angels residents, including an accessible nature trail, boat dock, lodge, campfire pit, pavilion, and pontoon boat rides on a 15-acre property.
• Cherubs Cafe Cafe and candy shop providing meaningful vocational employment and training opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities, serving food and treats to the public from a downtown Belmont, NC location.
• Cotton Candy Factory Vintage cotton candy manufacturing and sales business providing vocational training and meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Spruced Goose Station Retail store providing employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities, serving customers from the Belmont, NC community.
• Market on Main Retail market providing employment opportunities and vocational training for individuals with developmental disabilities in the Belmont, NC community.
• Great Adventures Social Club Social club for adults meeting monthly and participating in various community and recreational activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves more than 80 children and adults in residential program and up to 50 adults in outreach programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• The Ability ExperiencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1992The Ability Experience, the philanthropic initiative of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, helped build many of the original structures at Camp Hope including the pavilion. The group has returned to support Holy Angels numerous times over the years, including helping restore outdoor areas of the camp. The name Camp Hope was inspired by the Ability Experience's Journey of Hope cross-country bicycle fundraiser.
• Sisters of Mercy of the AmericascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1955Holy Angels is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters of Mercy founded Holy Angels in 1955 when co-founders Mother Mary Benignus Hoban and Sister Marie Patrice Manley established the organization after accepting the first resident, Maria Morrow. The Sisters of Mercy values (sacredness of life, human dignity, justice, compassion, service and excellence) remain central to Holy Angels' mission and values.
• Southside ConstructorscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor for the $21 million Children's Campus Expansion project, the largest expansion in Holy Angels' 70-year history.
• Boomerang DesigncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitectural firm that designed the $21 million Children's Campus Expansion project.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Cerebral Palsy: National nonprofit network delivering residential, therapeutic, and vocational services to people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities — directly comparable service lines and population.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including residential, vocational, and therapeutic programs — a closely aligned operating model to Holy Angels across multiple service lines.
• AbilityFirst: California-based nonprofit operating residential, vocational, and recreational programs for individuals with developmental disabilities — closely comparable residential-plus-sponsored-business service mix.
• Catholic Charities USA: National network of Catholic-affiliated social service agencies delivering residential, disability, and community programs — closely aligned faith-rooted nonprofit model and donor ecosystem.
• Volunteers of America: Faith-rooted national nonprofit providing residential, behavioral health, and community-based disability services — directly comparable mission and operating model to a Sisters-of-Mercy-affiliated IDD provider.
• The Arc of the United States: National nonprofit federation providing advocacy, residential support, and community-based services for people with IDD — directly comparable mission and service portfolio to Holy Angels.
• Bethesda Lutheran Communities: Faith-affiliated nonprofit providing residential and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with a similar mission-driven, multi-state footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Sevita Health (formerly The MENTOR Network): Large national provider of home- and community-based services, residential support, and behavioral health for individuals with IDD — a much larger incumbent operating across Holy Angels' full service spectrum.
• BrightSpring Health Services: Diversified home and community health platform serving complex populations including IDD, with pharmacy and provider services overlapping Holy Angels' clinical and residential model.

Regional players

• The St. Elizabeth Foundation (St. Elizabeth of Hungary): Faith-based nonprofit operating residential and vocational programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in other U.S. regions — analogous faith-rooted IDD operating model with comparable service mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HolyAngelsBelmont
• Instagraminstagram.com/holyangelsnc
• Xx.com/Holy_AngelsNC

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 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 Holy Angels