Team Gleason
Team Gleason is a 501c3 nonprofit that provides assistive technology, equipment, voice preservation, mobility, and care services free of charge to people living with ALS across all 50 U.S. states, funded through donations, corporate partnerships, and fundraising events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersNew Orleans, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Team Gleason does
Team Gleason Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in September 2011 by former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason and his wife Michel Varisco, following Steve's ALS diagnosis earlier that year. The foundation provides an integrated portfolio of assistive technology, equipment, and care services to people living with ALS (pALS) across all 50 U.S. states at no cost to recipients. Core offerings include Speech Generating Devices and communication device copay/loaner support, a Voice Preservation Dashboard for early-progression voice banking and personalized synthetic voice creation (integrated with Microsoft Custom Voice and Acapela My-Own-Voice), portable power wheelchair loans (45–60 lb, airline-travel capable units), customized home automation packages working with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and the Ability Drive eye-gaze wheelchair control system co-developed with Tolt Technologies. The organization also operates the Team Gleason Assistive Technology (AT) Lab — one of only a handful in the United States — and provides adventure experiences, respite care, seat elevator grants, and Medicare/Medicaid navigation support through partnerships such as Ochsner Health and the Center for Medicare Advocacy.
The foundation's business model is a community-led, donation-funded nonprofit operating model. Revenue streams include individual donations, corporate and foundation grants, in-kind equipment contributions from technology and mobility partners (Microsoft, Google, Apple, Comcast, Numotion, Permobil, Quantum Rehab, Tobii Dynavox), and major fundraising events including Gleason Gras (annual New Orleans gala, now in its 14th year) and Soul Shine (Big Sky, Montana). Reach is direct: applications are processed through a centralized need-assistance form, with a national shipping and logistics team distributing equipment and a distributed team of technology specialists, speech-language pathologists, and care coordinators handling onboarding. Steve Gleason's personal advocacy was instrumental in passing the Steve Gleason Act (2015) and the Steve Gleason Enduring Voices Act (2018), which secured Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for speech-generating devices — converting a previously self-funded service line into a federally reimbursed category. As of 2026, Team Gleason has provided over $65 million in technology, equipment, adventures, and direct support to more than 20,000 people living with ALS since 2011, with a staff of approximately 25+ headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Team Gleason firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Team Gleason
- Legal name
- Team Gleason Foundation
- Website
- https://teamgleason.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Team Gleason is a 501c3 nonprofit that provides assistive technology, equipment, voice preservation, mobility, and care services free of charge to people living with ALS across all 50 U.S. states, funded through donations, corporate partnerships, and fundraising events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Team Gleason industry classification
Industry- Product category
- ALS / Disability Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM), Caregiver Support, Coaching & Training (HLADALAG)
Keywords
Where Team Gleason is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New Orleans
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Team Gleason business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Team Gleason operates as a 501c3 nonprofit organization funded primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donations support equipment, technology, adventures, and care services for ALS patients.
- Fundraising Events: Major annual events like Gleason Gras and Soul Shine generate significant fundraising revenue while also raising awareness for the organization and the ALS community.
- Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with technology companies (Microsoft, Google, Apple, Comcast), equipment providers (Numotion, Permobil, Quantum Rehab), and other organizations provide both funding and in-kind support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free services for ALS patients |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Team Gleason product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Team Gleason is a nonprofit foundation that provides assistive technology, equipment, and care services at no cost to people living with ALS. Programs include communication device copay coverage and loaners, voice preservation and message banking, long-term portable power wheelchair loans, home automation packages, seat elevator grants, respite care, Medicare navigation support, and life-enriching adventure experiences.
Product overview
Team Gleason is a nonprofit organization that provides an integrated portfolio of assistive technology, equipment, and care services for people living with ALS. The core offerings include Communication Devices/Speech Generating Devices for speech-impaired patients, a Voice Preservation Dashboard for voice banking and synthetic voice creation, Portable Power Wheelchair Loans, Home Automation Packages integrated with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and the Ability Drive eye-gaze wheelchair control system developed with Tolt Technologies. The organization also operates an Assistive Technology (AT) Lab for testing, provides Adventure experiences, Respite Care Services, Seat Elevator Grants, and Medicare navigation support. Together, these services form a comprehensive ecosystem addressing communication, mobility, independence, and quality of life for ALS patients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Assistive Technology Equipment Program
- Communication Devices / Speech Generating Devices (SGDs)
- Voice Preservation Dashboard
- Voice Banking and Message Banking
- Portable Power Wheelchair Loans
- Home Automation Packages
- Ability Drive
- Team Gleason Assistive Technology (AT) Lab
- Team Gleason Adventures
- Respite Care Services
- Seat Elevator Grants
- Medicare and Medicaid Navigation Support
Quantifiable outcome
- Provided over $65 million in technology, equipment, adventures, and direct support to ALS patients and families since 2011
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Team Gleason
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Team Gleason technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
Team Gleason partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft partnered with Team Gleason to develop eye-gaze wheelchair control technology. Steve challenged Microsoft during a hackathon to create Ability Drive, which was commercially available by 2019. Microsoft also worked on voice preservation technology including Project Euphonia for speech recognition for people with ALS.
- GooglecoreGoogle partnered with Team Gleason on voice preservation technology, contributing to Project Euphonia and Custom Voice development. Google Research's Michael Brenner played a key role in launching accessibility initiatives for ALS patients.
- ApplecoreApple partnered with Team Gleason to advance accessibility features, including eye-driven wheelchair control using Apple Vision Pro's eye-tracking capabilities announced in 2026.
- Tolt TechnologiescoreTolt Technologies developed Ability Drive, an eye-gaze based powered wheelchair control system in collaboration with Steve Gleason and Team Gleason. Commercially available by 2019.
- ComcastcoreTeam Gleason guided the product design process of Comcast's adaptive remote, allowing people with ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases to control products through eye gaze.
- Tobii DynavoxcoreGlobal leader in assistive communication partnering with Team Gleason to support individuals with ALS and increase access to communication aids.
- Ochsner HealthcoreTransformative partnership with Ochsner Health to improve care coordination and access to services for people living with ALS.
- Center for Medicare AdvocacycorePartnership to help ALS families understand the Medicare home health benefit and maximize access to coverage and care. Hosted educational webinars and virtual town hall meetings.
- NumotioncoreMobility equipment partner providing power wheelchairs and related equipment for people living with ALS.
- PermobilcorePower wheelchair manufacturer partner that has partnered with Team Gleason to offer seat elevators to ALS patients.
- New Orleans SaintscoreNFL team partnership with Team Gleason for awareness and fundraising, leveraging Steve Gleason's legacy with the Saints.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Team Gleason competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Numotion: Mobility equipment provider and Team Gleason partner. Comparable as a national Complex Rehab Technology supplier serving ALS and other disability populations with power wheelchairs and custom seating solutions.
- Project ALS: Nonprofit funding ALS research and patient advocacy. Comparable as a smaller ALS-exclusive nonprofit with overlapping mission focus on advancing patient quality of life and pushing therapeutic progress.
- Permobil: Power wheelchair manufacturer and Team Gleason partner. Comparable as a commercial peer providing the mobility equipment that Team Gleason loans and funds; both organizations serve the same end-user population in the mobility/AT space.
- Tobii Dynavox: Global leader in assistive communication technology and a Team Gleason partner. Directly comparable as the dominant AAC/speech-generating device vendor serving the same patient population; competes and collaborates with Team Gleason on communication device access.
- ALS Association: The largest U.S. nonprofit focused on ALS, providing care services, research funding, and advocacy through national chapters. Directly comparable as the dominant peer in ALS-specific nonprofit services, with overlapping programs in equipment grants, care navigation, and legislative advocacy.
- ALS Therapy Development Institute: A nonprofit biotech focused on ALS therapeutic development and patient services. Comparable as an ALS-exclusive nonprofit with both patient-services and research orientations, though weighted more toward drug discovery than assistive technology.
- Answer ALS: ALS-focused research program and patient data initiative. Comparable as a peer organization focused on the ALS patient population with overlapping community-building and data-collection goals.
Broad incumbents
- Muscular Dystrophy Association: A larger, established nonprofit serving multiple neuromuscular disease communities including ALS. Provides equipment, care services, and research funding across a broader disease portfolio, making it a broader incumbent with overlapping assistive technology programs.
- Microsoft Accessibility: Major technology incumbent with accessibility initiatives including eye-gaze control and Project Euphonia for ALS speech recognition. Comparable as a broad tech incumbent co-developing assistive technology with Team Gleason, with overlapping capability investments.
Others
- Comcast (Accessibility): Team Gleason guided the design of Comcast's adaptive remote for eye-gaze control. Comparable as a commercial partner developing accessibility products that Team Gleason distributes and validates within the ALS community.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Team Gleason social profiles
Digital presenceTeam Gleason compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Team Gleason financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Team Gleason leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Team Gleason funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Team Gleason M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Team Gleason
What does Team Gleason do?
Team Gleason is a nonprofit foundation that provides assistive technology, equipment, and care services at no cost to people living with ALS. Programs include communication device copay coverage and loaners, voice preservation and message banking, long-term portable power wheelchair loans, home automation packages, seat elevator grants, respite care, Medicare navigation support, and life-enriching adventure experiences.
Is Team Gleason a public or private company?
Team Gleason is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Team Gleason founded?
Team Gleason was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Team Gleason based?
Team Gleason is headquartered in New Orleans, United States, in the North America region.
How does Team Gleason make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are fundraising Events and corporate Partnerships.
Who are Team Gleason's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Numotion, Project ALS, Permobil, Tobii Dynavox, ALS Association, ALS Therapy Development Institute and Answer ALS. Broad incumbents are Muscular Dystrophy Association and Microsoft Accessibility. Comcast (Accessibility) is listed as an others.
Does Team Gleason have an API?
No public API is recorded for Team Gleason.
What industry is Team Gleason in?
Team Gleason's product category is ALS / Disability Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech). Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8300.