Main Street Connect

What Main Street Connect does

Main Street Connect, Inc. is a Rockville, Maryland-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2017 by Jillian and Scott Copeland to address the shortage of independent housing options for adults with disabilities. The organization opened a 70-unit apartment building in August 2020, with 75% of units priced as affordable housing for households earning 30%, 50%, and 60% of area median income, and 25% (17 units) set aside for adults with special needs. The ground floor houses a 10,000-square-foot membership-based community center featuring a fitness center, teaching kitchen, multimedia room, and classroom, located 500 feet from the Rockville Metro station adjacent to Rockville Town Center.

Main Street operates under a BYOI (Bring Your Own Independence) philosophy that decouples housing from service provision, allowing residents to select their own service providers. The organization generates revenue through three streams: recurring membership fees across PLUS ($114/month), CORE ($34/month), and PRO ($149-$250/year) tiers; transactional space rental of Poppy Boy's Kitchen and the Classroom at $50-$125/hour; and grants and donations from foundations including Cafritz and France-Merrick, government entities including Maryland DHCD, Montgomery County, and the City of Rockville, and individual donors. Distribution runs through direct online membership enrollment, CAPREIT-managed apartment leasing, and direct space rental bookings.

The organization is governed by a six-member board chaired by founder Jillian Copeland, with a staff of approximately nine led by Executive Director Tara Owens and Chief Impact Officer Julie Ryan-Silva. Key partnerships include property manager CAPREIT, research collaborator University of Maryland (Plus One Year program at the Flats at College Park), on-site cafe The Bean Bag (formerly Soulfull Cafe, transitioned November 2025), and the Rockville City Police Department for community safety programming. The organization has earned a 2026 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency and Spur Local Critical Nonprofit recognition, and its model has been featured in NBC4 Washington, Bethesda Magazine, WTOP News, and Johns Hopkins Magazine.

Name

Main Street Connect

Legal name

Main Street Connect, Inc.

Website

https://mainstreetconnect.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Main Street Connect is a Rockville, Maryland 501(c)(3) non-profit operating a 70-unit affordable apartment building (25% set aside for adults with special needs) alongside a 10,000-square-foot membership-based community center, serving adults with disabilities and the broader inclusive community through housing, programs, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing and Community Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Inclusive affordable housing
• Community center programs
• Disability housing services
• Membership community programs
• Accessible apartment housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Monthly and annual membership fees from PLUS, CORE, and PRO membership tiers providing access to community center programs and events.
2. Space Rental: Rental fees for Poppy Boy's Kitchen, Patio, and Classroom spaces to external groups and organizations.
3. Donations and Grants: Funding from foundations including Cafritz Foundation, France-Merrick Foundation, Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, and individual donors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Main Street Connect operates a 70-unit affordable, accessible, inclusive apartment building (75% affordable units and 25% set aside for adults with special needs) co-located with a 10,000-square-foot membership-based community center in Rockville, Maryland. The organization sells PLUS, CORE, and PRO memberships that grant access to weekly social, educational, fitness, and arts programs, plus optional Community Access Pass add-ons and venue space rentals.

Product overview

Main Street Connect is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization offering a three-part integrated model: (1) Main Street Apartments - a 70-unit affordable, accessible, inclusive apartment building with 25% of units designated for adults with special needs; (2) a membership-based Community Center - a 10,000-square-foot facility offering social, cultural, educational and wellness programs; and (3) a movement advocating for inclusive communities. The organization offers three membership tiers (PLUS at $114/month, CORE at $34/month, and PRO at $149-250/year) with optional Community Access Pass add-on for $150/year. Additional offerings include space rentals, an on-site café partnership with The Bean Bag, an Ambassador leadership program, and an Art Gallery featuring member and featured artist exhibitions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Main Street Apartments A 70-unit affordable apartment building in Rockville, Maryland, with 75% of units affordable (serving households earning 30%, 50%, and 60% of AMI) and 25% designated for adults with special needs; leased and managed through CAPREIT.
• Community Center A 10,000-square-foot membership-based community center offering up to 10 weekly programs including a fitness center, teaching kitchen, multimedia room, and classroom for adults of all abilities.
• PLUS Membership Unlimited-access membership priced at $114 per month, with most program and event fees included; grants access to the member portal, private Facebook community, and listserv.
• CORE Membership A la carte membership priced at $34 per month with additional program and event fees of $10-$20 each; additional household family members can be added for $18 per month.
• PRO Membership Annual professional membership at $149 for individuals or $149-$250 for organizations; includes reduced space rental rates, optional Community Access Pass, and an organizational directory listing.
• Community Access Pass (CAP) Add-on to PLUS or PRO membership at $150 per year that grants access to the fitness center, locker rooms, Mattie's Peace Room/Classroom, and Poppy Boy's Kitchen and Patio when not in use for programs.
• Space Rental Rental of Poppy Boy's Kitchen and Patio (capacity 100) and Mattie's Peace Room/Classroom (capacity 32), with rates ranging from $60-$125 per hour depending on membership status and a 2-hour minimum.
• The Bean Bag at Main Street On-site deli and catering partner located at the front of the Main Street building that employs people of all abilities and serves as a community gathering space.
• Ambassador Program Stipended leadership opportunity for Main Street members to support programs, community events, and outreach.
• Main Street Art Gallery Gallery showcasing artwork by artists of all abilities, featuring monthly artist receptions, hands-on workshops, and an annual Belonging member art exhibit.

Quantifiable outcome

• Less than 1 in 4 adults with disabilities live independently; Main Street provides housing option for this underserved population
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• The Bean Bag at Main StreetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant and catering company located at front of Main Street building. Provides employment opportunities for people of all abilities and serves as gathering space for community. Expanded from Soulfull Cafe in November 2025.
• CAPREITcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProperty management company that leases and operates the apartments at Main Street. Manages applications, leasing, and day-to-day building operations.
• University of MarylandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership established in 2020 examining impact of Main Street on residents with and without disabilities and their family members. Includes Plus One Year program at Flats at College Park.
• Rockville City Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing community policing partnership including Neighborhood Health and Safety Day events. Officers engage regularly with residents, have smoothies named after them at cafe.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Arc: National non-profit advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with a network of state and local chapters providing housing, employment, and community living services. Comparable in mission and population served, though broader in scope.
• YAI: National non-profit offering programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including residential options, day programs, and community integration. Comparable in serving the IDD population with a mix of housing and programming.
• AHRC NYC: Large New York-based non-profit providing housing, day programs, employment, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Operates multiple residential programs and community habilitation services.
• Easterseals: National non-profit network providing disability services including housing, adult day services, employment, and community living supports. Comparable in serving adults with disabilities through a combination of housing and community programs.
• Volunteers of America: National non-profit operating affordable and supportive housing, including properties serving people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. Comparable in operating affordable housing with on-site supportive services.

Direct peers

• Inglis: Pennsylvania-based non-profit providing affordable, accessible housing and supportive services for adults with physical disabilities, including independent living apartments and community programming. Most directly comparable to Main Street's apartment-plus-community model.
• L'Arche USA: Federation of inclusive communities where people with and without intellectual disabilities share life together. Operates residential homes and day programs across the U.S. with a focus on belonging and community participation for adults with IDD.
• Ability Housing: Florida-based non-profit providing affordable, accessible housing for people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. Operates apartment communities with supportive services in a model similar to Main Street's affordable housing with inclusion.

Regional players

• Trellis (formerly Arc of Minnesota): Minnesota-based non-profit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including affordable housing, community programs, and family support. Comparable in serving the IDD population with integrated housing and community engagement.

Emerging players

• The Kelsey: Non-profit developing disability-affirming housing in California, focused on inclusive, accessible apartment communities with on-site programming. Shares Main Street's housing-plus-community model with a focus on intentional inclusion design.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MainStreetConnect
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mainstreetconnect
• Instagraminstagram.com/mainstreetconnect
• Xx.com/main_streetmd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Main Street Connect