Ready for Life
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersGrand Rapids, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ready for Life does
Ready For Life is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2009 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that provides inclusive post-secondary education and community living support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Michigan. The organization operates three core programs: the Ready For Life Academy, a two- to four-year collegiate experience delivered through partnerships with Hope College (Holland, MI), Ferris State University (Big Rapids, MI), and Northwestern Michigan College (Traverse City, launching Fall 2026); the Ready For Life Group CLS, a Community Living Supports day program operating in Grand Rapids and Big Rapids; and the mi LIFE! Summer Series, a 10-week residential summer program in Holland. Programming is anchored by a person-centered framework grounded in Erik Carter's ten dimensions of belonging and the Belonging/Autonomy/Independence triangle model, with instruction covering transition skills, independent living, employment preparation, and personal finance.
The organization's underlying technology stack is minimal — no proprietary technology platform, no public API, no app, and no AI capabilities are disclosed — and delivery relies on human instructors, peer partner volunteers, and physical co-location on partner college campuses. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via rolling admissions, with prospective families driven through visit days, virtual information sessions, Inclusive Community Town Halls, and word-of-mouth referrals within the Michigan disability community.
Ready For Life's business model is a hybrid nonprofit structure combining tuition revenue (annual billing for Academy programs, with financial assistance options and a 2% credit card fee on PayPal-processed payments) and tax-deductible donations from individuals and foundations, including named support from the Allstate Foundation. The organization is governed by a six-member Board of Directors led by President DeeDee Stakley, with day-to-day operations run by Executive Director Toni Falk and a staff of approximately 13 instructors, managers, and community living supports providers across Michigan locations.
Ready for Life firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ready for Life
- Legal name
- Ready For Life
- Website
- https://rflnetwork.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ready for Life industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Special Education Services for Adults with Disabilities
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- College Readiness & Disability Services Transition Support (EDAKANAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs (EDAKAAAD), Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF), Autism Transition Planning & Postsecondary Readiness (Educational) (EDAKAKAK), Youth-to-Adult Bridge & College Readiness (Noncredit) (EDAAAEAK)
Keywords
Where Ready for Life is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grand Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Ready for Life business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Academy Tuition: Ready for Life charges tuition for the Ready for Life Academy program. Payments are processed through PayPal with a 2% credit card transaction fee. Financial assistance options are available.
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Ready for Life accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations. Donations support tuition assistance and learning enhancement opportunities. The organization has received support from the Allstate Foundation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time | mi LIFE! Summer Series 10-week program |
| Subscription | Annual | Ready for Life Academy (Hope College, Ferris State) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Ready for Life product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ready for Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides inclusive post-secondary education and community living support programs for adults ages 18–26 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Programs are delivered on partner college campuses in Michigan, including Hope College, Ferris State University, and Northwestern Michigan College, with a person-centered approach to academics, life skills, vocational preparation, and community engagement.
Product overview
Ready For Life operates as a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The core offerings include Ready For Life Academy (a post-secondary inclusive education program delivered through campus partnerships with Hope College, Ferris State University, and Northwestern Michigan College), Ready For Life Group CLS (a Community Living Supports day program), and the mi LIFE! Summer Series (a residential summer program). The organization also facilitates Inclusive Community Town Halls as a community outreach initiative. These programs work together to provide a continuum of support from academic instruction to independent living and community integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- mi LIFE! Summer Series: Summer program offering live-in residential opportunities and coursework for young adults with intellectual disabilities in Holland, Michigan.
Products and services
- Ready For Life Academy
- Ready For Life Group CLS
Quantifiable outcome
- Graduates of Ready for Life Academy are employed and live independently
Companies that use Ready for Life
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Ready for Life technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Ready for Life partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Northwestern Michigan CollegecoreNew partnership launching Fall 2026 for Ready for Life Academy at NMC in Traverse City, MI. Two-year commuter program for students ages 18-26 with intellectual disabilities. Students participate in campus activities and student life.
- Hope CollegecorePartnership providing Ready for Life Academy at Hope College in Holland, MI. Students attend college classes, live in dorms, and receive transition skills training over a four-year program. Tracks include Interdisciplinary, Business and Communication, Education and Children, and Understanding and Helping Others.
- Ferris State UniversitycorePartnership providing Ready for Life Academy at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI. Three or four-year program with Community Living Support services. Tracks include Early Education, Interdisciplinary, and Hospitality. Students earn a certificate of completion from RFL and a transcript from Ferris State.
- MeijerminorCommunity partner for Group CLS program providing volunteer and work experience opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
- John Ball ZoominorGroup CLS community partner providing volunteer opportunities and community integration activities.
- YMCA of Greater Grand RapidsminorActivity partner for Group CLS program providing fitness and recreational opportunities.
- Frederik Meijer GardensminorActivity partner providing cultural and recreational activities for Group CLS participants.
- Ronald McDonald House CharitiesminorCommunity partner providing volunteer opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the Group CLS program.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ready for Life competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Arc: National organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with 600+ state and local chapters offering education, employment, and independent living supports. Comparable as an IDD-focused incumbent serving overlapping transition and independent living needs.
- Easterseals: Large national nonprofit providing disability services including education, employment, and community living supports across many U.S. states. Comparable as a broader disability services incumbent whose portfolio overlaps Ready for Life's vocational and community-living mission at greater scale.
Direct peers
- GiGi's Playhouse: Network of Down syndrome achievement centers offering educational, therapeutic, and career-development programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Comparable as a nonprofit delivering education and life-skills programming to participants with intellectual disabilities through local center locations.
- Think College: National organization coordinating and advocating for inclusive higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities. Directly comparable as the field-builder and convening body for college-based transition programs like Ready for Life Academy.
- Shepherds College: Three-year post-secondary program in Union Grove, Wisconsin for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering vocational and life-skills training on a dedicated campus. Comparable as a faith-based post-secondary transition college with residential programming similar to Ready for Life Academy.
- Bethesda College: Two-year post-secondary certificate program in Missouri for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, emphasizing independent living, vocational training, and social skills. Directly comparable as a post-secondary inclusive education college serving a similar participant population to Ready for Life Academy.
Emerging players
- Best Buddies International: National nonprofit creating one-to-one friendships and integrated employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable for its peer-partner volunteer model and emphasis on inclusion, mirroring Ready for Life's peer partner program.
Regional players
- BFAIR: Massachusetts-based nonprofit agency providing community-based support, day programs, and residential services for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. Comparable for its day program and community integration services that mirror Ready for Life's Group CLS approach, but limited to western Massachusetts.
- AHRC New York City: Large New York-based nonprofit providing services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including day programs, residential services, and family support. Comparable for its Group CLS-like day program model and IDD service breadth, but operates regionally in New York.
- Vinfen: Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing community living supports, residential services, and clinical care for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and brain injuries. Comparable for its community living support (CLS) service model paralleling Ready for Life's Group CLS program, but regional to New England.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ready for Life social profiles
Digital presenceReady for Life financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ready for Life leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Ready for Life funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ready for Life 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 Ready for Life
What does Ready for Life do?
Ready for Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides inclusive post-secondary education and community living support programs for adults ages 18–26 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Programs are delivered on partner college campuses in Michigan, including Hope College, Ferris State University, and Northwestern Michigan College, with a person-centered approach to academics, life skills, vocational preparation, and community engagement.
Is Ready for Life a public or private company?
Ready for Life is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ready for Life founded?
Ready for Life was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ready for Life based?
Ready for Life is headquartered in Grand Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ready for Life make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Academy Tuition is the primary driver. The others are donations and Charitable Contributions.
Who are Ready for Life's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Arc and Easterseals. Direct peers are GiGi's Playhouse, Think College, Shepherds College and Bethesda College. Best Buddies International is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are BFAIR, AHRC New York City and Vinfen.
Does Ready for Life have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ready for Life.
What industry is Ready for Life in?
Ready for Life's product category is Special Education Services for Adults with Disabilities. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKANAB, College Readiness & Disability Services Transition Support, with a secondary code of EDAKAAAD, Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.