Families United for Support and Encouragement

What Families United for Support and Encouragement does

FUSE (Families United for Support and Encouragement, legally FUSE Inc.) is an Indiana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in April 1996 and headquartered in Greenfield. The organization provides information, training, support, and encouragement to individuals with disabilities (including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, ADHD, and mental health conditions) and their families across Hancock, Marion, South Madison, and Henry Counties. Its program portfolio spans the Heartline direct-access advisory service, monthly education and training meetings, the annual Inspiring Abilities Expo, adaptive swim lessons, the BOSS after-school social skills program in 6 Hancock County schools, the Club CIC teen/young-adult social group, the Destiny Color Guard performance ensemble, and Family Fun Meet Ups. All programs are delivered free of charge.

FUSE operates without a proprietary technology platform; its stack consists of NeonCRM for event registration and donor management, Jotform for appointment booking and newsletter signups, Squarespace for web, and recently introduced AI tools for social media outreach brought in by a board member. The organization runs on a small staff of 1-10 employees — Executive Director Sara Cummins (since 2020), Program Coordinator Teresa Bever, and Community Engagement Specialist Christina Walker — supported by a six-member volunteer board of directors. Revenue is derived from individual donations solicited through the website and events, event-based fundraising such as the 24th Annual David Borgmann Memorial Golf Outing, program sponsorships from local businesses including Mt. Comfort Animal Hospital, and grants such as the Big Impact Grant from the Hancock County Community Foundation. FUSE became a founding member of the Indiana Disability Alliance in 2026 alongside The Arc of Indiana, Autism Society of Indiana, and other leading statewide disability organizations.

Name

Families United for Support and Encouragement

Legal name

FUSE Inc.

Website

https://fuseinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FUSE is an Indiana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1996 that delivers free disability-support programs — including the Heartline advisory service, adaptive swim, social-skills training, and resource expos — to nearly 2,400 individuals with disabilities and their families annually across Hancock, Marion, and surrounding counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGACAG

Disability Services & Independent Living Support

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGAEAG

Disability Services & Independent Living Support

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPAGALAM

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGADAK

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAAAOAI

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Workforce Development Initiatives

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Family advocacy programs
• Adaptive recreation programs
• Special education resources
• Community-based support

Headquarters

HQ city

Greenfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and family donations solicited through website, direct mail, and events to support direct services and skills training programs
2. Event Fundraising: Revenue from annual events including the David Borgmann Memorial Golf Outing ($100/player registration), bowl-a-thon, and other community fundraising events
3. Program Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors fund specific programs including the Inspiring Abilities Expo and Direct Skills and Training programs; includes sponsors like Mt. Comfort Animal Hospital

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FUSE is a nonprofit organization that provides information, training, support, and encouragement to individuals with disabilities and mental health needs and their families in Indiana. Its core offerings include the Heartline direct-access service, Information and Referral navigation, monthly educational workshops, adaptive recreation programs (Adaptive Swim, Destiny Color Guard), school- and community-based social skills programs (BOSS, Club CIC), the annual Inspiring Abilities Expo, and Family Fun Meet Ups that build peer support networks. All programs and services are delivered free of charge, funded by donations, sponsorships, and grants.

Product overview

FUSE is a nonprofit organization (not a technology product company) that provides information, training, support, and encouragement to families and individuals with disabilities and mental health needs. The organization offers a portfolio of community-based programs and services including: Heartline (direct access to the Executive Director for guidance), Information and Referral services, Monthly Education and Training meetings, Inspiring Abilities Expo (annual resource fairs), Family Fun Meet Ups, Adaptive Swim lessons, BOSS social skills program, Club CIC (social group for teens/young adults), and Destiny Color Guard. These programs are designed to connect families, build support networks, develop skills, and create inclusive community opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Heartline: Real Answers, Real Conversation A dedicated weekly open-call service where individuals and families can speak directly with Executive Director Sara Cummins to receive honest information, guidance on resources and referrals, and support navigating disability services.
• Information and Referral Connects families and individuals with disabilities to potential resources via telephone, email, text, website, and social media, and includes a free electronic newsletter with informational updates.
• Monthly Education and Training Educational meetings held on the second Monday of each month in Hancock County and virtually during the third week, covering topics such as education, insurance, accessibility, community inclusion, recreation, advocacy, and transition between service systems.
• Inspiring Abilities Expo Annual information and resource fairs held every March in Hancock County and November in Marion County, featuring exhibitors, professional speakers, and mini training sessions on disability issues.
• Family Fun Meet Ups Casual gatherings providing families frequent opportunities to connect informally, build support networks, and create friendships through free and low-cost activities hosted by volunteer FUSE families.
• Adaptive Swim Seven- to eight-week fall program providing one-on-one support for children with special needs to learn water safety and swimming skills, with volunteers supported by physical or occupational therapists.
• BOSS (Building Our Social Skills) After-school social skills program operating in Hancock County schools since 2018, improving social interactions, conversation skills, behavior, and self-confidence for children with autism and developmental disabilities; also offered in summer for middle and high school students.
• Club CIC Structured social group for teens and young adults (Connection-Independence-Community) that meets at least twice monthly with planned community activities to build social skills, independence, and personal health.
• Destiny Color Guard Performance group for boys and girls with disabilities ages 13 to young adulthood, offering opportunities to learn new skills, make friends, and perform at community events using flags, ribbons, and other color guard equipment.
• David Borgmann Memorial Golf Outing Annual community fundraising event hosted by FUSE, with player registration priced at $100 per player including lunch and an event shirt, supporting the organization's direct services and skills training programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving nearly 2,400 individuals and family members annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Indiana Disability AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026FUSE is a founding member of the Indiana Disability Alliance, a statewide coalition representing Indiana's leading disability organizations. The Alliance advocates for policies strengthening community inclusion, preserving essential supports, and ensuring individuals with disabilities have opportunities to live, learn, work, and thrive. Alliance members include The Arc of Indiana, Autism Society of Indiana, Down Syndrome Indiana, Independence Indiana, Indiana Family to Family, INSILC, and Self-Advocates of Indiana.
• Gordon F. HomesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor displayed on FUSE website
• Celebrate Hancock CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor displayed on FUSE website
• Amy BorgmannminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndividual sponsor supporting FUSE programs
• Alan BorgmannminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndividual sponsor supporting FUSE programs
• DDSi (Down Syndrome of Indiana)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting Summer Pool Party event with FUSE at Kathy Dowling Aquatic Center. Joint programming for individuals with disabilities and their families.
• IN*SOURCEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIN*SOURCE Special Education Liaison Angela Bear serves as presenter for FUSE workshop on Article 7 (Indiana's special education law), providing training on navigating the IEP process and parental advocacy.
• Mt. Comfort Animal HospitalminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 Direct Skills and Training Sponsor
• Circle of CareminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity venue hosting FUSE workshops (Emotions Are Like Farts event held at Circle of Care, 312 E. Main Street, Greenfield)

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Self-Advocates of Indiana: Indiana statewide self-advocacy organization led by individuals with disabilities. Direct peer because it shares FUSE's Indiana disability constituency and is also a founding member of the Indiana Disability Alliance.
• The Arc of Indiana: Indiana statewide disability advocacy and family-support nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Direct peer because it operates in the same Indiana disability-services space and is also an Indiana Disability Alliance founding member alongside FUSE.
• Indiana Family to Family: Indiana family-to-family health information center supporting children with special health care needs. Direct peer because it shares FUSE's model of peer/family navigation, information & referral, and Indiana Disability Alliance co-membership.
• Down Syndrome Indiana: Indiana statewide nonprofit supporting individuals with Down syndrome and their families through programming, advocacy, and community events. Direct peer because it co-hosts events with FUSE (Summer Pool Party) and serves an overlapping Indiana disability-services constituency.
• IN*SOURCE (Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs): Indiana parent-training and information center helping families navigate special education, IEPs, and Article 7. Direct peer because it delivers the same family-support and special-education navigation work that FUSE offers through its monthly education meetings and Heartline program.
• Autism Society of Indiana: Indiana affiliate providing information, support, and advocacy for individuals with autism and their families. Direct peer because it serves the same Indiana disability population, runs similar family-support and education programs, and co-founded the Indiana Disability Alliance with FUSE.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals Crossroads: Large Indiana/regional disability services provider offering therapy, early intervention, and case management across multiple program lines. Broader incumbent because it operates at a significantly larger scale across Indiana and overlaps FUSE's early-intervention and disability-services mission.
• National Disability Rights Network: National network of disability rights and protection-and-advocacy organizations. Broader incumbent because it operates federally-funded advocacy and legal services at a national scale, compared with FUSE's community-level Indiana advocacy work.

Emerging players

• Ability360 (Arizona, US): Community-based disability services and advocacy nonprofit operating outside Indiana. Emerging player peer because it offers a similar family- and individual-support service mix (information & referral, adaptive recreation, advocacy) in a different region, useful as a comparable operating model.

Regional players

• Special Olympics Indiana: Indiana affiliate of Special Olympics providing adaptive sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Regional peer because it offers adaptive recreation programming similar to FUSE's Adaptive Swim and Destiny Color Guard, primarily across Indiana.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/infoatfuseinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/fuseinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Families United for Support and Encouragement