Access North
Access North is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living providing free disability services — including HCBS, PCA Choice, assistive technology, nursing home relocation, and veterans' services — to individuals across ten counties in northeastern Minnesota from offices in Hibbing, Duluth, and Brainerd.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersHibbing, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Access North does
Access North Center for Independent Living of Northeastern Minnesota is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization founded in 1980 and headquartered in Hibbing, Minnesota. It delivers free, community-based services to people with physical, intellectual, emotional, and social disabilities across ten counties in northeastern Minnesota (St. Louis, Aitkin, Carlton, Lake, Cook, Koochiching, Cass, Crow Wing, Itasca, and Pine). Its service portfolio comprises Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS), CFSS/PCA Choice personal care assistance, an Assistive Technology Program with a lending library, Nursing Home Relocation Services, Life Transitions Services, Veterans' Services, Support Groups and Independent Living Skills Classes, a Ramp Project for home accessibility, and general Information and Referral services. Access North is one of eight designated Centers for Independent Living in Minnesota and operates under the federal disability rights framework established by the Olmstead decision.
The organization has 101–250 employees and operates three primary offices (Hibbing headquarters, Duluth, Brainerd) with a satellite presence in Walker. All services are provided at no cost to consumers; the organization is funded through government contracts (principally the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Medicaid waiver programs such as CADI, and county health and human services agencies), federal sources (HUD, VA), and tax-deductible donations. Go-to-market is referral-driven: county agencies, healthcare providers, disability organizations, and the Minnesota CIL Network (MACIL) generate consumer leads, supplemented by direct self-referrals, community outreach, and engagement with legislative representatives. Distribution is direct, delivered in-person at offices, in consumers' homes, by phone, and through community-based outreach.
Access North's core technology is operational rather than software-centric. The Assistive Technology Program employs the Consumer, Equipment, Task, Tool (CETT) assessment framework and operates a lending library of mobility, communication, and daily living devices available for short-term loans (up to 30 days) and a reuse/recycle program for donated equipment. The organization maintains HIPAA and Minnesota Government Data Practices Act compliance, uses Constant Contact for email outreach, and has no public API, mobile app, or proprietary technology platform. Recent strategic actions include expansion of HCBS offerings, designation as a Covid Community Coordinator Organization (2020), the launch of free community pantries in Hibbing and Brainerd, and deepening partnerships with the Minnesota CIL Network and accessible housing providers.
Access North firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Access North
- Legal name
- Access North Center for Independent Living of Northeastern Minnesota, Inc.
- Website
- https://accessnorth.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Access North is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living providing free disability services — including HCBS, PCA Choice, assistive technology, nursing home relocation, and veterans' services — to individuals across ten counties in northeastern Minnesota from offices in Hibbing, Duluth, and Brainerd.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Access North industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
Keywords
Where Access North is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hibbing
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Access North business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Contracts and Grants: Access North operates as a government-funded nonprofit receiving funding from Minnesota Department of Human Services, Medicaid waiver programs, and federal programs for people with disabilities. Services are provided free of charge to consumers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Free Services for People with Disabilities |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Access North product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Access North Center for Independent Living of Northeastern Minnesota is a nonprofit organization delivering community-based services to individuals with disabilities. Core offerings include Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS), CFSS/PCA Choice personal care assistance, an Assistive Technology program with a lending library, Nursing Home Relocation Services, Life Transitions planning, Veterans' Services, Support Groups and Independent Living Skills Classes, a Ramp Project for home accessibility, and Information and Referral. All services are provided free of charge to consumers.
Product overview
Access North Center for Independent Living of Northeastern Minnesota is a nonprofit organization providing community-based services for people with disabilities. Rather than a unified technology product, it offers a portfolio of interrelated service programs: Core offerings include Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), Consumer Direction Community Supports (CDCS), and CFSS/PCA Choice services for in-home care. Specialized programs include an Assistive Technology Program with a lending library, Nursing Home Relocation Services to transition individuals from institutional to community settings, Life Transitions Services for major life decisions, and Veterans' Services. Additional programs cover Support Groups and Independent Living Skills Classes, a Ramp Project for home accessibility, and general Information and Referral services. These services work together to help individuals with disabilities live independently, pursue meaningful goals, and have equal opportunities in their communities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
Quantifiable outcome
- Individuals with disabilities supported to live in community settings rather than institutions
Companies that use Access North
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Access North technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Access North partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)corePrimary government partner providing funding and oversight for Centers for Independent Living services. DHS administers Medicaid waiver programs, CADI waivers, and other disability services that Access North connects consumers to.
- Minnesota Centers for Independent Living NetworkcoreNetwork of eight CILs across Minnesota including Access North, Options, Freedom Center, Independent Lifestyles, MCIL, SEMCIL, SMILES, and SWCIL. CILs provide mutual support, share best practices, and collaborate on statewide disability advocacy.
- Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living (MACIL)coreStatewide association representing all eight Minnesota CILs. MACIL advocates for disability rights at the state level and publishes resources like the 'Take the Road to Independence' guidebook for nursing home relocation.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)majorFederal agency providing benefits to veterans. Access North assists veterans in navigating VA systems and supplements VA services with independent living support.
- County Health and Human Services AgenciescoreCounty agencies conduct Long-Term Care Consultations and provide relocation service coordination. Access North contracts with counties to provide nursing home relocation coordination services in northeastern Minnesota counties.
- Accessible Space, Inc.minorProperty management company providing accessible, subsidized housing for people with disabilities. Manages properties including Redruth Valley Apartments, Pine Grove Apartments, and Superior View Apartments.
- Center City Housing Corp.minorHousing management company providing accessible housing options including Duluth IV Apartments, Alicia's Place, and Gateway Tower Apartments.
- Sherman AssociatesminorProperty developer managing accessible housing including Greysolon Plaza, Irving School, and Lincoln Park Apartments in Duluth area.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)minorFederal housing agency referenced for housing resources and information access for people with disabilities seeking housing.
- Minnesota Housing PartnershipminorState housing organization providing affordable housing resources and information for people with disabilities.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Access North competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Independent Lifestyles: Minnesota-based Center for Independent Living serving the Twin Cities metro with comparable HCBS, PCA, independent living skills, and disability advocacy services. Most direct comparable as a fellow MN CIL.
- Access Living: Chicago-based Center for Independent Living providing HCBS, IL skills training, and disability rights advocacy. A larger, urban CIL with a directly comparable service portfolio.
- Options Interstate Resource Center for Independent Living: Minnesota CIL providing independent living, HCBS waiver, and disability services in a similar catchment. Direct peer within the same statewide MACIL network.
- Freedom Center: Another Minnesota CIL offering independent living skills, assistive technology, and advocacy services. Comparable in scope, funding model, and consumer segments.
Broad incumbents
- The Arc of the United States: National disability advocacy and services organization with chapters serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including housing, case management, and family support — overlapping CIL consumer base.
- Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit with mission-aligned disability employment, training, and community support programs across multiple states, with overlapping independent living and vocational services.
- Easterseals: National nonprofit delivering disability and rehabilitation services including independent living, assistive technology, and employment programs. Comparable consumer segments and services but at national scale.
- ServiceSource: National nonprofit providing disability services including employment, community living, and assistive technology. Comparable in mission and core programs serving people with disabilities.
Others
- Minnesota Disability Determination Services (DDS): Minnesota state agency that administers disability eligibility and supports; Access North coordinates with and refers consumers to DDS-adjacent programs. Indirect peer in the disability support ecosystem.
- Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living (MACIL): Statewide association representing all eight Minnesota CILs including Access North. Comparable as a coordinating body and policy advocate within the same disability services ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Access North social profiles
Digital presenceAccess North compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Access North financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Access North leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Access North funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Access North 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 Access North
What does Access North do?
Access North Center for Independent Living of Northeastern Minnesota is a nonprofit organization delivering community-based services to individuals with disabilities. Core offerings include Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS), CFSS/PCA Choice personal care assistance, an Assistive Technology program with a lending library, Nursing Home Relocation Services, Life Transitions planning, Veterans' Services, Support Groups and Independent Living Skills Classes, a Ramp Project for home accessibility, and Information and Referral. All services are provided free of charge to consumers.
Is Access North a public or private company?
Access North is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Access North founded?
Access North was founded in 1980. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Access North based?
Access North is headquartered in Hibbing, United States, in the North America region.
How does Access North make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Contracts and Grants.
Who are Access North's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Independent Lifestyles, Access Living, Options Interstate Resource Center for Independent Living and Freedom Center. Broad incumbents are The Arc of the United States, Goodwill Industries International, Easterseals and ServiceSource. Others are Minnesota Disability Determination Services (DDS) and Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living (MACIL).
Does Access North have an API?
No public API is recorded for Access North.
What industry is Access North in?
Access North's product category is Disability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of EDAKANAK, Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation. Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8300.