Arc of Onondaga

What Arc of Onondaga does

Arc of Onondaga is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1951 in Syracuse, New York, providing a comprehensive continuum of services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Onondaga County. The organization serves more than 1,000 individuals and their families through 30+ sites across Central New York, employing between 425 and 500+ staff. Its service portfolio spans 23 certified Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs), Day Habilitation (both Site-Based and Without Walls), Community Habilitation, Employment Supports/Supported Employment, Family Support Services, Respite and Recreation programs, and the Horizons Clinic — an Article 16-licensed facility offering mental health counseling, physical/occupational/speech therapy, psychological evaluation, and newly launched autism diagnostic testing.

The business model is anchored on three primary revenue streams: government funding through NY State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Medicaid HCBS waivers and state contracts; commercial revenue from Arc Contract Services, an outsourcing arm providing custodial, recycling, mailroom, and light-assembly services to 40+ regional partners including National Grid, NY State agencies, and OCRRA, generating over $1.5M annually; and philanthropy via the Arc of Onondaga Foundation (established 2002), which has awarded more than $1M in grants cumulatively through individual giving, planned gifts, and events. Self-pay is available for non-eligible programs such as ArtSurge ($65 per class) and family reimbursement of up to $3,000 per year for eligible respite expenses. As a chapter of The Arc New York (one of 35 statewide chapters serving 60,000+ individuals), the organization participates in coordinated legislative advocacy (e.g., #InvestInUs, #SaveMedicaid campaigns).

There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is human-intensive and regulated by OPWDD and the NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Distribution is exclusively regional (Onondaga County and Central New York), with access mediated by OPWDD Front Door eligibility determinations and care manager referrals. The organization is governed by an independent volunteer Board of Directors; ownership commentary indicates no PE, VC, or external investment. Leadership is in transition: CEO Ellen Gutmaker retires in August 2026 after 13 years in role, with COO Sonja Gottbrecht succeeding her.

Name

Arc of Onondaga

Legal name

Arc of Onondaga

Website

https://arcon.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Arc of Onondaga is a Syracuse, NY-based nonprofit founded in 1951 providing residential, day, employment, clinical, and family support services to over 1,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 30+ sites in Onondaga County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities)

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Administrative and Support Services (561)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI), Benefits Counseling & Financial Literacy for Transition-Age Youth (EDAKANAJ)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Residential habilitation services
• Intellectual disability support
• Community habilitation services
• Disability employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Syracuse

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts & Medicaid/OPWDD Waiver Funding: Primary revenue from government-funded programs through the Office of People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), Medicaid waivers, and state contracts for services including residential, day habilitation, employment supports, and clinical services. Contract Services also generates revenue through commercial contracts with businesses (National Grid, NY State janitorial jobs).
2. Individual & Foundation Donations: The Arc of Onondaga Foundation (501(c)(3), established 2002) raises funds through individual contributions, planned giving, special events, and the annual fund drive. Grants awarded exceed $1 million cumulatively since inception.
3. Membership Dues: Individual membership dues support advocacy efforts and the broader Arc New York network. Membership enables policy influence and legislative action.
4. Special Events & Sponsorships: Annual events including the Arc Race (5K, family walk), Achievement Awards Gala, Bowling for All, and Pasta for a Purpose generate sponsorships and ticket revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Arc of Onondaga is a nonprofit social services agency that provides a comprehensive continuum of programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Onondaga County, including residential habilitation (23 IRAs), day habilitation, community habilitation, supported employment, clinical therapy (Horizons Clinic), respite and recreation, and family support services. Revenue is primarily generated through OPWDD Medicaid waiver funding and state contracts, supplemented by a commercial Arc Contract Services arm that supplies outsourced custodial, mailroom, and recycling labor to businesses and government agencies.

Product overview

Arc of Onondaga is a nonprofit social services organization providing a comprehensive portfolio of disability support services rather than a technology product platform. The organization offers a coordinated system of residential, day, clinical, employment, and family support programs delivered through distinct service lines: Day Habilitation and Community Habilitation provide daytime skill-building activities; Residential Services manages 23 certified living options; Horizons Clinic delivers clinical therapeutic services including mental health counseling, physical/occupational therapy, and autism testing; Employment Options provides prevocational training and supported employment; Respite and Recreation offers weekend and youth programs; Family Support Services includes reimbursement programs and the Art Surge arts initiative. Arc Contract Services provides outsourcing employment for people with disabilities. The organization serves as a local chapter of The Arc New York and operates under OPWDD regulations with no integrated technology platform products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Horizons Clinic: An Article 16 clinic providing therapeutic and clinical services to individuals with developmental disabilities, including psychological evaluation, mental health counseling, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology.

Products and services

• Day Habilitation (Day Service Options) Person-centered day program providing opportunities to learn new skills and achieve higher levels of independence through community-based and site-based activities for adults with developmental disabilities.
• Residential Services Residential program offering 23 certified residential options across Onondaga County, including Supervised and Supportive IRAs (Individualized Residential Alternatives) with 24-hour staff support and individualized assistance.
• Horizons Clinic OPWDD-certified Article 16 clinic providing therapeutic and clinical services including mental health counseling, psychological evaluation, physical and occupational therapy, speech language pathology, and autism screening for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Respite and Recreation Program offering site-based respite for youth ages 8-18, weekend recreation for adults, and various activities including dances, movie making classes, and theatrical experiences through partnerships with Redhouse Arts Center.
• Employment Supports (Employment Options) Employment services including Community Prevocational Support, Supported Employment (SEMP), and ACCES-VR services helping adults and students transition from school to competitive employment in the community.
• Community Habilitation Individualized program helping people with developmental disabilities access their community and build skills in the home while encouraging independence and self-confidence through training in daily living, budgeting, and social skills.
• Family Support Services Family reimbursement program providing funds to assist individuals and families with respite services and goods (up to $3,000/year), integrated camp support, and the Art Surge art program for youth ages 8-18 with developmental disabilities.
• Arc Contract Services Outsourcing company providing employment opportunities and training for people with developmental disabilities, offering custodial, recycling, sorting, mailroom, and light assembly services to corporate partners including National Grid, OCRRA, and New York State; generates $1.5M+ annually.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves over 1,000 individuals and their families
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Wings for All (United Airlines, Syracuse Hancock International Airport, The Arc US)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 2025Arc of Onondaga, in partnership with United Airlines, Syracuse Hancock International Airport, and The Arc US, hosts the Wings for All airport rehearsal program for people with autism and developmental disabilities. Participants practice the full air travel experience including check-in, TSA, boarding, and simulated takeoff.
• National Grid Investment Recovery UnitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArc Contract Services operates a dedicated workforce at National Grid's Investment Recovery unit in Liverpool, NY, providing custodial, recycling, and sorting services. This is a multi-year commercial contract and one of Arc's flagship contract services relationships.
• OCRRA (Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArc Contract Services provides staffing support to OCRRA's waste reduction and recycling operations. OCRRA Executive Director Kevin Spillane has publicly praised the partnership as a 'win for everyone' in reducing county waste.
• New York State (janitorial contracts)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArc holds multiple state contracts for janitorial jobs across various sites in Onondaga County, representing a significant and ongoing revenue stream.
• The Arc New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArc of Onondaga is one of 35 local chapters of The Arc New York, the largest not-for-profit in NY State serving people with I/DD. The statewide organization supports over 60,000 individuals, employs 30,000+ people, and provides access to statewide expertise, resources, and unified advocacy.
• SANYS (Self-Advocacy Association of New York State)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArc of Onondaga works closely with SANYS, an organization founded and led by people with developmental disabilities, to promote self-advocacy and civil rights awareness. SANYS Central/Northern Office is located at 1005 W. Fayette Street, Syracuse, NY.
• MACNY, NYSID, NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation, Source America, Centerstate CEOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArc Contract Services holds membership in several regional business and advocacy organizations including MACNY (manufacturers' association), NYSID (disability services), Source America (federal contracting), and Centerstate CEO (business development). These memberships support business development and visibility.
• Redhouse Arts CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArc partners with the Redhouse Arts Center for theatrical programming, including a Playwrights Workshop and attendance at 'Big Fish' production. The Arc of Onondaga Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant supporting this initiative.
• YMCA (Central New York)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArc provides one-to-one camp support enabling youth with developmental disabilities ages 6-18 to fully integrate into existing YMCA camp programs during summer vacation and school breaks.
• The MOST (Museum of Science and Technology)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArc provides one-to-one camp support enabling youth with developmental disabilities to participate in MOST camp programs during summer breaks.
• OPWDD (Office of People With Developmental Disabilities)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArc of Onondaga is a certified provider under OPWDD. OPWDD determines eligibility, regulates services, and is the primary government funder through Medicaid waivers. OPWDD's Front Door process connects individuals to Arc's services.
• NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special NeedscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Justice Center, operational since June 30, 2013, provides oversight to certain OPWDD programs including many Arc programs. It investigates all allegations of abuse and neglect. Arc's Quality & Compliance department works under Justice Center guidelines.
• ACCES-VR (Adult Career & Continuing Education Services)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArc of Onondaga provides prevocational and supported employment services through referrals from ACCES-VR, a New York State Education Department program. Contact: 315-428-4179.
• West Genesee Day HabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArc Contract Services provides custodial staffing to the West Genesee Day Hab site, where Roy Gibson (2024 William B. Joslin Award winner) has worked independently for two years.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wildwood Programs: New York nonprofit providing residential, educational, vocational, and clinical services for children and adults with I/DD and autism—overlapping service continuum from residential to employment supports similar to Arc of Onondaga.
• Life's WORC: Long Island-based nonprofit providing residential, day habilitation, employment, and family support services for people with developmental disabilities, serving a comparable I/DD population through similar OPWDD-funded programs.
• AccessCNY: Syracuse-based nonprofit providing community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs in Central New York—directly competing with Arc of Onondaga for OPWDD waiver clients, residential placements, and local donor support.
• Arc of Monroe: Sister Arc New York chapter serving Monroe County, NY; comparable I/DD residential, day, employment, and family support service portfolio and member-base structure to Arc of Onondaga within the same statewide advocacy network.
• Springbrook: New York-based nonprofit providing residential, day, educational, and clinical services for children and adults with I/DD and autism—including residential options comparable to Arc's 23 IRAs and clinical services similar to Horizons Clinic.
• AHRC NYC (now AHRC New York City): One of the largest Arc-affiliated I/DD providers in New York State, offering residential, day, employment, and clinic services across NYC—highly comparable service mix and Chapter structure to Arc of Onondaga, just at significantly larger scale.
• Arc of Westchester: Another Arc New York chapter providing residential, day, employment, and recreation services for people with I/DD in Westchester County—shared chapter structure, advocacy platform, and service line-up with Arc of Onondaga.

Broad incumbents

• Pride Industries: National nonprofit that creates jobs for people with disabilities through facility maintenance, logistics, and outsourcing contracts—the closest national analog to Arc Contract Services, although operating across a much broader geographic footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=tD2tYIq5i4A
• Xx.com/ArcofOnondaga

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Arc of Onondaga