The Arc of Central Michigan

What The Arc of Central Michigan does

The Arc of Central Michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit disability advocacy organization founded in May 1999 (originally as 'Arc-Isabella', renamed in 2006) and headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. It serves individuals with developmental, cognitive, and mental health disabilities and their families across a four-county region in central Michigan (Isabella, Clare, Mecosta, and Osceola counties). Its mission is to ensure that citizens with disabilities are valued and able to participate fully in community life. Governance is provided by a seven-member volunteer Board of Directors, with day-to-day operations supported by a single Executive Director and two contracted facilitators (Anne Ramirez and Nancy Hartshorne). The organization is a local chapter affiliated with The Arc US (national) and The Arc Michigan (state) and is a United Way Partner Agency of the United Way of Isabella County.

The organization's core services are Information and Referral, Advocacy, the Arc Financial Choices Program, Representative Payee Services (introduced in late 2006), and Independent Facilitation for Person-Centered Planning (delivered under contract with Community Mental Health for Central Michigan). It runs community programs such as a Saturday Recreation Program, the Fall Harvest Dance, an Annual Picnic, and an Annual Membership Meeting, and maintains a resource library of educational materials. There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is phone-, email-, and in-person-based from a rented Mt. Pleasant office, with a basic website (arcofcentralmi.org) and a Facebook page as the primary digital touchpoints.

Revenue is generated from a mix of recurring and transactional streams: $25/year individual and family memberships (with additional tiers such as Friends of The Arc, Champions of The Arc, and Lifetime Membership), donations and bequests (including vehicle donations processed via The Arc US), service contracts with Community Mental Health for Central Michigan (consumer satisfaction surveys since 2000 and person-centered planning facilitation since 2004), fee-based Representative Payee Services, United Way Partner Agency funding (since 2001), and small affiliate commissions from Goodsearch.com/Goodshop.com. No revenue figure is disclosed. Marketing is community-led and low-cost, relying on word-of-mouth, Facebook, community events, and partner referrals rather than paid acquisition.

Name

The Arc of Central Michigan

Legal name

The Arc of Central Michigan

Website

https://arcofcentralmi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Arc of Central Michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization serving individuals with disabilities and their families across a four-county region in central Michigan (Isabella, Clare, Mecosta, and Osceola counties) from its base in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Transition & School-Readiness Support for Special Needs Children (HSAAAIAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

Keywords

• Disability advocacy services
• Person-centered planning
• Representative payee services
• Community resource referrals
• Nonprofit disability support

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Pleasant

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 dues: Individual and family membership at $25/year, plus tiered memberships (Friends of The Arc, Champions of The Arc, Lifetime Membership). Recurring annual revenue.
2. Donations and bequests: Tax-deductible donations accepted via cash, bequests, charitable gift annuities, life insurance, securities, real estate, and retirement plans. Vehicle donations also accepted via thearc.org. 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
3. Community Mental Health contracts: Contracts with Community Mental Health for Central Michigan (CMHCM) for consumer satisfaction surveys (since 2000) and person-centered planning facilitation (since 2004). Service-based contract revenue.
4. Representative Payee Services fees: Fee-based program where staff receive, deposit, and pay out individuals' SSI/SDDI benefits to prevent financial exploitation. Recurring fee-based revenue.
5. United Way partnership funding: Partner Agency of United Way of Isabella County, providing funding support for program needs since 2001.
6. Affiliate referral revenue (Goodsearch/Goodshop): Affiliate referral commissions earned when supporters use Goodsearch.com for internet searches or Goodshop.com for online purchases, with The Arc - Central Michigan designated as the beneficiary.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Arc of Central Michigan provides free advocacy, information and referral, and independent person-centered planning facilitation for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families across a four-county region in Central Michigan (Isabella, Clare, Mecosta, and Osceola). It also offers fee-based Representative Payee Services (receiving, depositing, and paying out consumers' monthly SSI/SSDI benefits to prevent financial exploitation), financial education workshops through the Arc Financial Choices Program, a resource library, membership programs, and community events. Services are delivered through direct office contact, community-based visits, and contracts with Community Mental Health for Central Michigan.

Product overview

The Arc of Central Michigan offers a portfolio of non-profit advocacy and support services rather than a unified technology product. Its core offerings center on Information and Referral, Advocacy, the Arc Financial Choices Program, Representative Payee Services, and Independent Facilitation for Person Centered Planning, supplemented by community programs such as the Saturday Recreation Program, Arc Sponsored Events (Fall Harvest Dance, Annual Picnic, Annual Membership Meeting), a Resource Library of educational materials, and an Arc Membership Program. Together these programs support individuals with disabilities and their families across Isabella, Clare, Mecosta, and Osceola counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Information and Referral Free service providing families and individuals with disabilities information on topics and services by mail, telephone, or via an on-site library of articles, books, and videos; also distributes a quarterly newsletter to members and stakeholders.
• Advocacy Free service assisting individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in navigating systems such as special education, community mental health, housing, Social Security, and Medicaid, including help with phone calls, letters, meetings, and community organizing.
• Arc Financial Choices Program Financial education program offering trainings and workshops on financial topics, coordinated annually through speakers arranged by The Arc.
• Representative Payee Services Fee-based service in which Arc staff receive and deposit monthly SSI and SSDI payments for consumers and pay their bills to help protect them from financial exploitation.
• Independent Facilitation for Person Centered Planning Independent facilitators guide individuals through annual Person Centered Planning meetings within a four-county region, assisting with inviting guests, focusing on chosen topics, sharing resources, encouraging participation, recording the meeting, and connecting to community supports. Contracted through Community Mental Health for Central Michigan.
• Arc Sponsored Events Community engagement events including the annual Fall Harvest Dance, Annual Picnic, and Annual Membership Meeting, providing members opportunities to socialize, network, and review organizational business.
• Saturday Recreation Program A recreation program for members; information is available by contacting (989) 773-6904 ext. 245.
• Resource Library A library of materials available through the office, including a Special Education Advocates Manual, Michigan Special Education Mediation Program materials, Michigan Work Incentives Planning and Assistance information, Respite Care/Medicaid materials, Supported Self-Employment 101 handbook, the "Through the Same Door" video, and a variety of books and DVDs on topics such as finances, health care, and inclusion.
• Arc Membership Program Membership tiers including Individual & Families ($25/year), Friends of The Arc, Champions of The Arc, and Arc Lifetime Membership, supporting the organization's advocacy mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 years of continuous advocacy in the area by 2009; approaching 15-year mark at time of website publication
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 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 flagship, minor and core.

• Community Mental Health for Central Michigan (CMHCM)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Arc contracts with CMHCM to provide independent person-centered planning facilitation services. Contract for consumer satisfaction surveys obtained in August 2000; second contract to facilitate choice for person-centered planning signed in 2004. Facilitators Anne Ramirez (former CMHCM Office Manager) and Nancy Hartshorne support individuals across a four-county region.
• MidMichigan IndustriesminorOthersThe Arc-Isabella rents office space from MidMichigan Industries, beginning in January 2005. Listed as a community resource link.
• The Arc US (thearc.org)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Arc of Central Michigan is a local chapter affiliated with The Arc US, the national organization. Receives news, links, and other state/local site resources from The Arc US. The Arc US also hosts the Capital Insider for federal disability news and provides vehicle donation processing for local chapters.
• The Arc Michigan (arcmi.org)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level chapter affiliation. Provides news, links, and resources. Co-developed Michigan Work Incentives Planning and Assistance information with UCP Michigan and Goodwill Industries of Detroit.
• Goodsearch.com / Goodshop.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliate partnership where supporters raise funds for The Arc of Central Michigan through internet searches (Goodsearch.com, powered by Yahoo) and online shopping (Goodshop.com). The Arc receives a percentage of each purchase; supporters must select The Arc - Central Michigan (Mt. Pleasant, MI) as their beneficiary organization.
• Michigan Rehabilitation Services (Micro Enterprises program)minorOthersListed as a community resource link. Micro Enterprises is an Employment Alternative program from Michigan Rehabilitation Services.
• Central Michigan Down Syndrome SocietyminorOthersListed as a community resource link for information, support, and education on Down syndrome for parents, families, friends, and professionals in Central Michigan.
• Autism Society of MichiganminorOthersListed as a community resource link. Committed to empowering individuals with autism and their families through educational resources, materials, workshops, seminars, and other services.
• Listening Ear Crisis CenterminorOthersListed as a community resource link and source for Resource Directory for Isabella and Clare Counties.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Direct peers

• The Arc Michigan: State-level chapter of The Arc providing advocacy, resources, and policy work for Michiganders with developmental disabilities. Directly comparable as the state federation that The Arc of Central Michigan is affiliated with and from which it draws resources and branding.
• Disability Network of Michigan: Federation of 16 Centers for Independent Living serving Michiganders with disabilities. Directly comparable as a community-based peer advocacy network providing independent living services, information and referral, and person-centered planning — the same core services as The Arc of Central Michigan.
• Disability Rights Michigan: Michigan's federally funded Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system for people with disabilities. Directly comparable as a Michigan-based disability advocacy organization that supports individuals with navigating special education, mental health, Social Security, and Medicaid systems — overlapping core advocacy services with The Arc of Central Michigan.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals Michigan: Large statewide nonprofit serving people with disabilities across Michigan. Comparable as a broader incumbent disability services organization with overlapping service categories (advocacy, community living, employment supports) and a much larger scale than The Arc of Central Michigan.
• The Arc US (national): The national umbrella organization for The Arc movement. Comparable as the parent brand and national advocacy infrastructure that local chapters like The Arc of Central Michigan plug into for resources, federal policy, and vehicle donation processing.

Others

• Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council: State council funded by the federal Administration on Disabilities to advocate for Michiganders with developmental disabilities. Comparable as an advocacy and capacity-building funder/policy actor operating in the same Michigan disability ecosystem.
• Community Mental Health for Central Michigan: The CMHSP serving the same four-county region and The Arc's primary contract partner. Comparable as the regional behavioral health system within which The Arc of Central Michigan provides consumer satisfaction surveys and independent person-centered planning facilitation.

Regional players

• United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan: Michigan affiliate of the UCP national network serving people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Comparable as a state-level disability advocacy and services organization that overlaps with The Arc's mission and serves overlapping populations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/arccentralmi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 The Arc of Central Michigan