LISTEN Center

What LISTEN Center does

LISTEN Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1970 and headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota, that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families across Grand Forks and Walsh Counties. Its service suite comprises a Drop-In community center, Day Services funded primarily through North Dakota Medicaid, and Residential Services that together form a multi-tier care continuum for the regional DD population.

The organization's operating model combines fee-for-service clinical and residential programs with a substantial charitable gaming operation spanning nine sites in the region, supplemented by donations and an annual Festival of Trees fundraiser with structured corporate sponsorship tiers. In 2022, LISTEN Center opened a $6.4 million facility that consolidated and expanded program capacity and created the physical basis for extending services into Grafton and Walsh County. The organization holds CQL accreditation and engages Propel Nonprofits for organizational consulting, and is governed by a community board with periodic leadership refresh at both executive and board level.

LISTEN Center is governed as a community nonprofit with a Programs Services Director role overseeing the clinical and residential portfolio. Revenue mechanics are split across Medicaid and state DD funding (the primary programmatic revenue source), charitable gaming proceeds (a regional distribution and revenue channel), and philanthropic giving, with no disclosed equity, debt, or material capital raise in the available record.

Name

LISTEN Center

Legal name

The Listen Center

Website

https://listencenter.org/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LISTEN Center is a Grand Forks, North Dakota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1970 that provides day, residential, and Drop-In community services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Grand Forks and Walsh Counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intellectual Disability Support Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Intellectual disability services
• Developmental disability support
• Community-based day services
• Residential in-home support
• Nonprofit disability services

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Forks

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Medicaid/State Funding: Services are primarily funded by the State of North Dakota Department of Human Services through Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program.
2. Charitable Gaming: Recreational gaming underwrites and supports programs, activities, and education/training programs. Gaming sites include bars and restaurants offering electronic pull tabs, blackjack, paddlewheel, and pull tab games.
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations to support services for people with intellectual disabilities.
4. Festival of Trees Sponsorships: Annual fundraiser with sponsorship tiers (Angel $2,500, Light $1,000, Tinsel $500, Star $350) that raise money for the Drop-In Community Center and to help families afford Christmas trees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LISTEN Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers a suite of community-based services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Grand Forks and Walsh counties, North Dakota. Its core offerings include Drop-In Community Center programming (performing arts, dances, self-advocacy, social activities), Day Services (person-centered programming for adult independence), Residential Services (in-home personal care and family support), supplemented by charitable gaming operations and annual fundraisers that underwrite program costs.

Product overview

LISTEN Center is a nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive suite of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization operates a platform of interconnected programs including Drop-In community center services (offering Performing Arts, Travel Clubs, Dances, and Self-Advocacy programs), Day Services (nationally accredited programming for adult independence), and Residential Services (in-home support including personal care and medication management). The organization also operates charitable Gaming sites across nine locations, hosts the annual Festival of Trees fundraiser, and maintains a merchandise store. All services are funded through a combination of Medicaid, donations, gaming revenue, and fundraising events, unified by the mission to help individuals live as independently as possible.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Drop-In Services Community-based integrated support services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities offering activities including Performing Arts, Travel Clubs, Friday Night Dances, Malt Shop, Community League Sports, and Self-Advocacy programs in a welcoming community setting open to individuals served and the general public.
• Day Services Person-centered programming helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities become independent and self-sufficient through personalized programming focused on personal growth, health, safety, and community involvement. Nationally accredited and funded by the North Dakota Department of Human Services.
• Residential Services In-home support services for people with intellectual disabilities to live independently, including personal care (grooming, hygiene, dressing), transfers and mobility assistance, meal planning and preparation, medication reminders, social activity coordination, and light household tasks. Includes Family Support Services for families caring for a member with disabilities at home.
• Gaming Program Recreational gaming operations across nine sites (seven in Grand Forks, one in Lakota, one in Mayville) offering games of chance including Blackjack, Paddlewheel, Electronic Pull Tabs, Paper Pull Tabs, Bingo, and Sports Pools. Revenue supports LISTEN Center programs and services.
• Festival of Trees Annual fundraising event featuring decorated trees on display with sponsorship tiers (Angel $2,500, Light $1,000, Tinsel $500, Star $350) to raise money for the Drop-In Community Center and provide Christmas trees to families in Grand Forks and Polk counties.
• Apparel Store Online merchandise store featuring branded apparel items including t-shirts, hoodies, long-sleeve shirts, aprons, tote bags, and other branded merchandise with Listen Center logos, operated through Spreadshop.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nationally accredited by CQL (Council on Quality and Leadership)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and strategic.

• Grover GamingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Angel sponsor ($2,500) for Festival of Trees fundraiser in 2024.
• ScheelsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Light sponsor ($1,000) for Festival of Trees fundraiser.
• iHeartMediaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Angel sponsor ($2,500) for Festival of Trees fundraiser. Provides media advertising through TV, radio, and print as part of sponsorship.
• NG GamingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Angel sponsor ($2,500) for Festival of Trees fundraiser in 2024.
• Leighton BroadcastingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Angel sponsor ($2,500) for the 33rd annual Festival of Trees fundraiser. Leighton Broadcasting provides advertising support through TV, radio, and print media as part of sponsorship package.
• J.R. SimplotminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Angel sponsor ($2,500) for Festival of Trees fundraiser in 2024.
• Bremer BankminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Light sponsor ($1,000) for Festival of Trees fundraiser.
• Hugo's Family MarketplaceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Light sponsor ($1,000) for Festival of Trees fundraiser.
• Gate City BankminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Tinsel sponsor ($500) for Festival of Trees fundraiser.
• American Crystal SugarminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Tinsel sponsor ($500) for Festival of Trees fundraiser.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield NDminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Star sponsor ($350) for Festival of Trees fundraiser.
• WidsethcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Architectural firm responsible for design of the new $6.4 million facility at 2100 S Washington St. Partnered with LISTEN Center for design of the accessible, all-on-one-level building featuring ceiling lifts, automatic doors, and wider hallways.
• Community ContractorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Construction company providing project management and construction for the new $6.4 million facility. Built the accessible building housing all LISTEN programs under one roof.
• Propel NonprofitsstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2022Strategic services consulting partner providing support for organizational development, board governance, policy updates, and planning for growth. Worked with Executive Director Christy Potts and board chair to establish action plans for organizational resilience and mission advancement.
• State of North Dakota Department of Human ServicescoreOthers · 1 January 2022Primary funder for services through Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program. Provides national accreditation standards and regulatory oversight for LISTEN's day services, residential services, and family support programs.
• Development Homes (Grand Forks)minorOthersDevelopmental home provider in Grand Forks. Some individuals with disabilities use Development Homes as their residential provider and have chosen LISTEN for their day services.
• REM (Grand Forks and Grafton)minorOthersDevelopmental home provider in Grand Forks and Grafton. Some individuals with disabilities use REM as their residential provider and have chosen LISTEN for their day services.
• CHI (Grafton)minorOthersHealthcare system in Grafton providing residential services. Some individuals with disabilities use CHI as their residential provider and have chosen LISTEN for their day services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including day programs, residential support, and community integration. Comparable to LISTEN Center across all three of LISTEN's core service lines, but operating at national scale rather than a single rural region.
• The Arc of the United States: National disability advocacy and services nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Overlaps with LISTEN's day services, residential support, and self-advocacy programming.
• UCP (United Cerebral Palsy): National organization providing services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities including residential, day, and community-based programs. Directly comparable service model to LISTEN, though operating across many states.
• BrightSpring Health Services: Large diversified provider of home and community-based services, including services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable Medicaid-funded service model, but operates at much larger scale and across multiple states.

Regional players

• REM North Dakota: North Dakota-based residential and day services provider for individuals with developmental disabilities. Already listed as a partner of LISTEN, operating in the same Grand Forks and Grafton markets with comparable residential programs.
• Development Homes, Inc. North Dakota residential provider for individuals with developmental disabilities. Listed as a LISTEN partner; operates complementary residential services in the same Grand Forks market.

Emerging players

• Rise, Inc. Upper-Midwest nonprofit providing residential, day, and employment services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable service portfolio to LISTEN, operating in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
• LifeBridge, Inc. North Dakota-based disability services provider offering residential, day services, and family support to individuals with developmental disabilities. Direct service-line overlap with LISTEN in the same ND market.

Others

• Mercy Home Health & Hospice (CHI St. Alexius): Listed as a partner (CHI in Grafton) providing residential services for individuals with disabilities. Indirect peer given overlap in supporting the same client population in Grafton/Grand Forks.
• Minot State University - North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities: North Dakota's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Adjacent ecosystem participant that influences DD services policy, training, and research relevant to LISTEN Center's service population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WeLISTEN

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 LISTEN Center