Spina Bifida Association of New England

What Spina Bifida Association of New England does

Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England (SBAGNE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit regional chapter within the national Spina Bifida Association network, founded in 1971 and headquartered in Milford, Massachusetts with a mailing address in Natick, Massachusetts. The organization serves individuals and families impacted by Spina Bifida across the six New England states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont), with a small staff of 1–10 employees led by Executive Director Jean Bertschmann. Its mission is to build a better future for those impacted by Spina Bifida through community connection, peer support, resource navigation, and advocacy.

SBAGNE's core offerings include the Empowerment Grant Program and Jean Driscoll Award (financial assistance and recognition), the Mobi Mat Loan Program (accessibility equipment funded by a Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation grant), the Snowflake Network care package program, Adult Group peer support dinners, a Pediatric Clinic Information directory for the six-state region, a continence supplies program that aggregates donated catheters from four manufacturers (180Medical, Cure Medical, Hollister, Wellspect), and a free Accessibility Badge download. The organization also provides a free membership program, regular email newsletters, and active social media presence across Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

The business model is donation- and grant-driven: SBAGNE provides all core services free of charge and raises funds through individual donations, foundation grants, affiliate shopping programs (Amazon Smile, Walmart Spark Good, Billy Footwear, Uniteable, Bonfire), and merchandise sales. It has no technology products, no app, and no API; all service delivery is human-mediated. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the organization maintains independent governance under a Board of Directors as a Massachusetts-incorporated charitable entity.

Name

Spina Bifida Association of New England

Legal name

Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England

Website

https://sbagreaterne.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SBAGNE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit regional chapter serving individuals and families affected by Spina Bifida across six New England states with free programs including peer support, equipment loans, continence supplies, financial grants, and clinic referrals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAIAL

Community Health, Health Promotion & Behavior Change (SBCC)

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Global Health & Population Programs

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Nonprofit healthcare
• Peer support programs
• Accessibility equipment lending
• Community advocacy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Milford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization relies heavily on individual donations from supporters who contribute financially to fund programs, services, and advocacy efforts for the Spina Bifida community.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Shopping Programs: SBAGNE receives a portion of purchases from retail partners including Amazon (Amazon Smile), Walmart (Spark Good), Venmo donations, and merchandise sales through Bonfire store.
3. Grant Funding: The organization receives grant funding from foundations such as the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for specific programs like the Mobi Mat Loan Program.
4. Membership Dues: Free membership program that connects individuals with programs and supports, though membership itself is free.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SBAGNE is a 501(c)(3) regional nonprofit that provides free support services, financial grants, accessibility equipment loans, continence supplies, care packages, and peer support programs to individuals and families affected by Spina Bifida across the six-state New England region. Its portfolio includes the Empowerment Grant Program, Jean Driscoll Award, Mobi Mat Loan Program, Continence Supplies distribution, the Snowflake Network care package program, Adult Group peer support dinners, a Pediatric Clinic directory, a free Accessibility Badge, and free membership — all delivered at no cost to members and funded through donations, grants, and corporate partnerships.

Product overview

The Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England (SBAGNE) operates as a regional non-profit organization offering a portfolio of support services, financial assistance programs, equipment lending, and community resources for individuals and families impacted by Spina Bifida across New England. The core offerings include the Empowerment Grant Program and Jean Driscoll Award (financial programs), the Mobi Mat Loan Program for accessibility equipment, the Snowflake Network care package program, and the Adult Group peer support activities. Additionally, SBAGNE provides healthcare resource navigation through its Pediatric Clinic Information directory, continence supplies coordination, the Accessibility Badge advocacy tool, membership services, newsletters, and merchandise through Shopping with SBAGNE partnerships with retailers including Walmart SparkGood, Amazon, and Billy Footwear.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Empowerment Grant Program A financial grant program that provides funding to empower individuals and families impacted by Spina Bifida, offered as part of SBAGNE's Financial Programs portfolio.
• Jean Driscoll Award A named award recognizing individuals who demonstrate excellence and achievement within the Spina Bifida community.
• Mobi Mat Loan Program A loan program providing portable accessibility mats (Mobi Mats) for use at outdoor events and community activities. Mats are 5 feet wide and available in 16-foot, 35-foot, and 50-foot sizes.
• Continence Supplies Program Distribution program for catheters and continence supplies in multiple sizes and styles, donated by partners 180Medical, Cure Medical, Hollister, and Wellspect, for individuals having difficulty ordering or affording supplies.
• SBAGNE Snowflake Network A care package program that provides uplifting packages for members undergoing medical procedures or recovery, with packages sent to a designated person for delivery to the patient.
• Accessibility Badge ("Offer Me a Seat") A free downloadable badge for individuals with invisible disabilities to use when they need accommodations, particularly on public transportation.
• Adult Group (Peer Support Dinners & Events) Peer support dinners and events for adults living with Spina Bifida age 18 and up, providing community connection and support for individuals and their loved ones.
• Membership Program Free membership program providing current information regarding programs and supports for individuals and families impacted by Spina Bifida.
• Pediatric Clinic Information Directory Directory of Spina Bifida clinics across New England states including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, with contact information for Boston Children's Hospital, Mass General Hospital, Shriners, and other specialized facilities.
• Shopping with SBAGNE (Fundraising Merchandise & Affiliate Programs) Fundraising merchandise and retailer-affiliate programs (Bonfire store for SBAGNE/Spina Bifida Awareness merchandise plus a portion-of-purchase donation programs via Walmart SparkGood, Amazon Smile, Billy Footwear, and Uniteable).

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of individuals and families served annually through programs and services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 minor and core.

• 180MedicalminorOthers180Medical donates catheters to SBAGNE for distribution to individuals having difficulty ordering or affording catheters. This product donation supports the continence supplies program.
• Cure MedicalminorOthersCure Medical donates catheters to SBAGNE for the continence supplies program, providing multiple sizes and styles to those in need.
• HollisterminorOthersHollister donates continence supplies (catheters) to SBAGNE for distribution to community members.
• WellspectminorOthersWellspect donates catheters to SBAGNE for the continence supplies program, expanding the range of products available to those in need.
• Spina Bifida Association (National)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBAGNE is a regional chapter of the Spina Bifida Association network. This partnership connects the organization to national advocacy efforts including Teal on the Hill, national resources, the SBA Blog, and a broader community of chapters across the United States.
• Walmart Spark GoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSBAGNE participates in Walmart's Spark Good program where a portion of purchases made through their nonprofit profile is donated back to the organization.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSBAGNE receives donations through Amazon Smile when supporters shop at smile.amazon.com and select SBAGNE as their charity.
• Billy FootwearminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBilly Footwear is an inclusive fashion retailer that partners with SBAGNE, with a portion of purchases donated back to support the organization.
• UniteableminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUniteable offers inclusive fashion and donates a portion of purchases to SBAGNE when customers shop through the SBAGNE link.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: Major disability nonprofit and an active funder of SBAGNE's Mobi Mat program. Comparable in operating disability-support grants, accessibility-equipment funding, and family-services programming.
• March of Dimes: Large national nonprofit focused on maternal and infant health, including birth defects such as Spina Bifida. Comparable mission around congenital conditions and similar mix of research funding, family support, and advocacy.
• Easterseals: Large national disability services nonprofit offering direct support, advocacy, and community programming across many disability categories. Comparable in mission, regional affiliate structure, and donor-funded services mix.
• Muscular Dystrophy Association: National voluntary health organization funding research, care, and community services for individuals with neuromuscular disabilities. Closely comparable operating model, fundraising mix, and disease-specific community focus.

Direct peers

• Spina Bifida Association: The national umbrella organization for the Spina Bifida Association chapter network; SBAGNE is an explicit regional chapter and shares the same mission, brand, and advocacy agenda (including Teal on the Hill).
• United Cerebral Palsy: Disability-specific nonprofit providing direct services, advocacy, and family support for people with cerebral palsy — directly analogous service model to SBAGNE's disability-specific, peer-support-driven approach.

Emerging players

• National Organization for Rare Disorders: Umbrella advocacy and support organization for rare diseases including Spina Bifida. Comparable as a voluntary health organization but operating at a federated, policy-focused level rather than direct services.
• Hydrocephalus Association: National voluntary health organization serving individuals with hydrocephalus, which is frequently co-occurring with Spina Bifida. Overlapping community, similar peer-support and education programs.

Others

• Boston Children's Hospital Spina Bifida Program: Specialized pediatric Spina Bifida clinical program listed in SBAGNE's pediatric clinic directory. Functions as a clinical referral partner rather than a competitor, but is a comparable touchpoint in the regional Spina Bifida care ecosystem.

Regional players

• Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Canada: Canadian counterpart organization providing education, support, and advocacy for the Spina Bifida community. Closely comparable mission and program mix but operates in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SBAGreaterNE
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGxy_kGsnr2TG5Ti3kDBMpw
• Facebookfacebook.com/sbagreaterne
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/organization-guest/company/spina-bifida-association-of-greater-new-england
• Instagraminstagram.com/spinabifidagreaternewengland
• Pinterestpinterest.com/spina_bifida/_saved

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Spina Bifida Association of New England