Smiles Center for Independent Living

What Smiles Center for Independent Living does

Smiles Center for Independent Living (SMILES CIL) is a Minnesota-certified, consumer-controlled nonprofit organization founded in 1988 that provides disability services across Southern Minnesota's Region 9. The organization operates four physical offices (Mankato headquarters, Fairmont, New Ulm, Waseca) and delivers services in consumers' homes, schools, and community settings, serving people of all ages with all types of disabilities across a rural and small-metro catchment area. SMILES is governed by a board where at least 51% of members and at least 51% of staff must have a disability, embedding lived experience into organizational leadership.

The organization's service portfolio spans ten core programs: Advocacy, Assistive Technology & Ramps, CDCS (Consumer Directed Community Supports) Planning, Independent Living & Skills Training, Information & Referral, PCA Choice Programs, Peer Mentoring, Representative Payee, Transition to Community (including youth transition for ages 14-22 and nursing home relocation), and W.I.O.A. employment services. The assistive technology program includes a lending library allowing 30-day in-home trials and custom ramp construction in three variants (Modular Wood, Temporary Metal, Suitcase). PCA wage rates ($15.25–$18.36/hr based on role and experience) and Representative Payee fees are set administratively by state Medicaid programs and the Social Security Administration, respectively.

SMILES' revenue model is multi-stream but heavily public-sector dependent: Medicaid waiver reimbursements (DD, CADI, Brain Injury), federal WIOA funding, state CIL operating support, Social Security Administration Representative Payee fees, and charitable donations via PayPal. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through field-based service delivery, supplemented by referrals from county social services, schools, healthcare providers, and a network of regional partners including Disability Hub MN, Senior Linkage Line, Minnesota Disability Law Center, Partners for Affordable Housing, and The Arc Minnesota. Marketing is community-driven through Facebook, YouTube, local events (Chalkfest, Fun Days Parade), and grassroots Citizens for Accessibility advocacy groups.

Name

Smiles Center for Independent Living

Legal name

Smiles Center for Independent Living

Website

https://smilescil.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smiles Center for Independent Living is a Minnesota-certified, consumer-controlled nonprofit (founded 1988) operating four offices in Southern Minnesota's Region 9, providing advocacy, assistive technology, independent living skills training, personal care assistance, and transition services to people of all ages with disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Independent Living Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Companion Care & Social Support (non-clinical) (HLADAGAB)

Keywords

• Disability independent living
• Personal care assistance
• Assistive technology services
• Disability advocacy support
• Community transition services

Headquarters

HQ city

Mankato

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts and Medicaid Waiver Programs: Services funded through state Medicaid waiver programs including Developmental Disability, Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI), and Brain Injury waivers. Operates as a state-certified Center for Independent Living receiving government support.
2. Representative Payee Services: Monthly fees set by Social Security Administration for managing benefits on behalf of individuals who require fiduciary assistance
3. Donations and Grants: Charitable donations accepted through PayPal and likely grant funding to support operations and service delivery

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SMILES Center for Independent Living is a state-certified, consumer-controlled nonprofit that delivers a portfolio of cross-disability independent living services to people of all ages in Southern Minnesota's Region 9. Core offerings include advocacy, assistive technology assessments and a lending library, custom residential ramp construction, independent living skills training, personal care assistance (PCA Choice), peer mentoring, representative payee services, CDCS support planning, youth and nursing home transition services, and W.I.O.A. employment support. Services are delivered through four branch offices and in consumers' homes, schools, and community settings.

Product overview

SMILES Center for Independent Living is a consumer-controlled, nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive suite of disability services across Southern Minnesota's Region 9. The organization operates multiple interconnected service programs rather than a single unified product. Core programs include Advocacy, Assistive Technology & Ramps, CDCS Planning, Independent Living & Skills Training, Information & Referral, PCA Programs, Peer Mentoring, Representative Payee, Transition To Community, and W.I.O.A. services. These programs work together to support people with disabilities in achieving independence and full community participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advocacy Services Individual and systems advocacy services helping persons with disabilities solve problems related to their legal, civil, and human rights, including teaching self-advocacy skills.
• Assistive Technology and Ramps

Quantifiable outcome

• Given equal opportunity, equal access, people with disabilities can be active contributing members of our communities

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Disability Hub MNcoreOthersStatewide resource connection providing information and referral services for people with disabilities. SMILES serves as a local connection point for Disability Hub MN services in Region 9.
• Senior Linkage LinecoreOthersStatewide information line connecting seniors and people with disabilities to services. SMILES refers consumers to this resource for additional support.
• Life-Work Planning CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional workforce development organization. Collaborates with SMILES on employment-related services for people with disabilities.
• Minnesota Disability Law CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal services organization providing disability rights advocacy. Has a Mankato office and SMILES refers consumers requiring legal assistance.
• Minnesota Valley Action CouncilcoreOthersRegional community action agency serving low-income individuals and families. SMILES refers consumers needing additional social services support.
• The Arc MinnesotasupportingOthersStatewide advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. SMILES collaborates on disability advocacy efforts.
• United Way of MinnesotasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional United Way chapter supporting community organizations. Listed as a partner organization on SMILES website.
• Open Door Health CentersupportingOthersFederally Qualified Health Center providing healthcare services. SMILES refers consumers needing medical services.
• Partners for Affordable HousingcoreOthersHousing organization helping individuals find affordable housing. Critical partner for nursing home relocation services and independent living transitions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute (Allina Health): Minnesota-based rehabilitation and disability services provider offering independent living, assistive technology, and rehabilitation services. Comparable on assistive technology and IL skills training, but embedded within a large hospital system rather than operating as a standalone consumer-controlled CIL.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability and other special needs services across all 50 states. Comparable in mission and broad service scope (PCA, assistive technology, employment, advocacy) but operates at vastly larger scale and across many disabilities beyond the CIL-specific federal framework.
• The Arc: National organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with state and local chapters (e.g., The Arc Minnesota). Comparable advocacy and I/DD services mission, though operating at national scale and focused more on advocacy than direct IL service delivery.

Direct peers

• Living Well Disability Services: Minnesota-based nonprofit providing community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including PCA, independent living supports, and community participation. Overlaps with SMILES' I/DD-focused service delivery under CADI and DD waivers.
• Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL): Twin Cities-based Center for Independent Living serving the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro. Directly comparable as a Minnesota state-certified CIL providing the same core four federal-IL-program services (IL Skills, Advocacy, Peer Mentoring, Transition) to people with disabilities.
• Independent Lifestyles: Minneapolis-based nonprofit CIL offering independent living services, PCA Choice, advocacy, and peer mentoring to people with disabilities. Closely mirrors SMILES' service portfolio and consumer-controlled mission in a different Minnesota region.
• Access North Center for Independent Living: Northeastern Minnesota CIL providing independent living, advocacy, and disability services. Same federally-aligned CIL model as SMILES, operating in a different Minnesota service region; directly comparable funding mix (Medicaid waivers, state CIL funding).

Regional players

• Bethesda: Minnesota nonprofit providing services and supports for people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. Comparable community-based disability services portfolio, though with greater residential care emphasis than SMILES' non-residential CIL model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClaqTEYoOt5HmTn2bhF7PuQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/SMILESCIL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smiles-cil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Smiles Center for Independent Living