The Arc of Howard County

What The Arc of Howard County does

The Arc of Howard County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1961 and headquartered in Ellicott City, Maryland, that provides community-based support services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Howard County. Its service portfolio spans four core programs: Meaningful Day Services (including Day and Supported Retirement, Community Development, and Supported Employment), Supportive Housing (ranging from drop-in assistance to 24-hour nursing care), Project SEARCH (a one-year high-school transition internship), and Behavioral Support Services. The organization serves 120+ individuals through its employment services program and operates a network of 55+ employer partnerships, including flagship relationships with Johns Hopkins APL and Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center for Project SEARCH.

The underlying technology is minimal: the organization does not maintain a proprietary technology platform, mobile app, or API; its digital surface consists of a WordPress-based content website, a Constant Contact email newsletter, and standard social media profiles. Person-centered planning is delivered through direct human support rather than automated systems.

The business model is funded primarily through Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and Medicaid Waiver programs, which require DDA eligibility determination as a gatekeeping step for service access. This is supplemented by tax-deductible donations (including a 65th-anniversary campaign targeting $65,000 in 2026), annual membership dues at $10–$25 tiers, vehicle donations through Careasy, planned giving and bequests, special event revenue (golf tournament, Chocolate and Cheers gala, holiday party), and employer tax-incentive referrals. The organization is affiliated with The Arc of the United States (140,000+ members, 730 chapters) and The Arc Maryland, holding 2025 Standards for Excellence Accreditation.

Name

The Arc of Howard County

Legal name

The Arc of Howard County, Inc.

Website

https://archoward.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Arc of Howard County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1961 that provides community-based support services — including day programs, supported employment, housing, and behavioral support — to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Howard County, Maryland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM), Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs (EDAKAAAD)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Developmental disability services
• Community-based support
• Supported employment services
• Residential support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ellicott City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (DDA/Medicaid Waivers): Primary revenue source. Services are funded through Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and Medicaid Waiver programs. All applicants must be approved and awarded funding by DDA to receive residential and other services.
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization runs annual fundraising campaigns and events including a 65th anniversary campaign targeting $65,000.
3. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees at multiple tiers ($10-$25 annually). Members receive benefits including newsletters, event invitations, advocacy alerts, and access to conference rooms.
4. Vehicle Donations: Car donation program accepting vehicles in any condition, auctioned for proceeds supporting programs. Partnership with The Arc's Vehicle Donation Program.
5. Planned Giving and Bequests: Legacy gifts including bequests in wills, retirement plan beneficiaries, life insurance, charitable trusts, and stock donations. Members of the 1961 Legacy Society.
6. Special Event Revenue: Fundraising events including annual golf tournament, Chocolate and Cheers gala, and holiday party. Sponsorship opportunities available for employers.
7. Employer Tax Incentive Referrals: Connecting employers with tax credits including Small Business Tax Credit (up to $5,000), Architectural/Transportation Tax Deduction ($15,000), and Work Opportunities Tax Credit (up to $2,400 per hire).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

The Arc of Howard County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides community-based support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Its services include Meaningful Day Services, Supported Employment, Introduction to Employment, Supportive Housing, Behavioral Support, Community Development Services, and Project SEARCH, a school-to-work transition program operated in partnership with Howard County Public Schools and Howard County government.

Product overview

The Arc of Howard County is a nonprofit service organization providing a comprehensive suite of community-based support programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The organization operates a unified service model centered on person-centered planning, with core programs including Meaningful Day Services (encompassing Day Support, Community Development Services, and Supported Employment), Supportive Housing Services, Project SEARCH (high school transition internship program), and Behavioral Support Services. Additional offerings include volunteer programs, advocacy initiatives, and membership opportunities. The organization is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Meaningful Day Services

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Howard County Autism SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Project SEARCH High School Transition Program for students with disabilities. Collaborates with families, special education teachers, and The Arc to support students in exploring career paths and developing employment goals.
• Howard County Public School System (HCPSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in Project SEARCH program, providing special education teachers and facilitating student transitions from high school to employment. Also hosts Annual Open House and Youth Opportunity Fair events.
• Howard County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner in Project SEARCH program, supporting internship opportunities for students with disabilities in county facilities and programs.
• Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in Project SEARCH for students who are DORS eligible. Provides funding and coordination for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor internship site for Project SEARCH program, providing workplace immersion and employability skill development for students with disabilities. Represents high-profile employer partnership.
• Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare internship site for Project SEARCH program, providing students exposure to healthcare careers and employment settings within medical center environment.
• The Arc of the United StatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational affiliation providing membership network of 140,000+ members and 730 chapters. Offers national conventions, newsletters, insurance programs, and legislative advocacy at federal level.
• The Arc MarylandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level Arc affiliation providing newsletters about Maryland laws, legislation, events like DD Day, ADA and MDD councils, and state-specific resources.
• Maryland WorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide organization affiliated with The Arc, focused on employment and training services for people with disabilities.
• Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState association of community services organizations, providing networking and advocacy support for disability services providers.
• Association of Community Services of Howard CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal county-level association coordinating community services and resources across Howard County.
• GuideStarminorOthersCharity information platform providing transparency on nonprofit operations, financials, and impact.
• The Arc's Vehicle Donation Program (Careasy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for car donation program. The Arc accepts vehicle donations which are auctioned, with proceeds supporting programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• BonfireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMerchandise partner for online apparel store, allowing purchase of The Arc of Howard County branded merchandise.
• Howard County Area EmployerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor55+ Howard County businesses providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Employers include Home Depot and various healthcare, retail, food service, and manufacturing companies.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Arc of Maryland: State-level Arc affiliate that The Arc of Howard County is directly affiliated with; provides statewide advocacy, resources, and coordination across Maryland chapters serving the same IDD population.
• The Arc of Prince George's County: Another Maryland Arc chapter offering parallel IDD services including day programs, employment, and family support, competing for the same DDA/Medicaid Waiver funding pool.
• The Arc of Baltimore: Sister Arc chapter serving Baltimore City and County with comparable day, employment, housing, and advocacy services for people with IDD under the same Maryland DDA framework.
• The Arc of Montgomery County: Neighboring Maryland Arc chapter delivering similar IDD services including supported employment, residential, and advocacy programs under shared state regulatory and funding structures.
• SEEC: Maryland and DC nonprofit providing customized employment, day, and community living services for people with developmental disabilities; operates within the same DDA/Medicaid framework in the region.
• Melwood: Maryland-based nonprofit providing employment, day, and residential services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; directly competes with The Arc of Howard County in the DDA-funded employment services market.
• Chimes: Mid-Atlantic nonprofit providing day, employment, residential, and behavioral services for people with IDD; comparable service portfolio funded through Medicaid Waivers and government contracts.

Broad incumbents

• Kennedy Krieger Institute: Larger Maryland-based institution serving individuals with developmental disabilities through education, therapy, and community programs; overlaps with The Arc's school-age and transition-age service offerings.

Others

• Maryland Works: Statewide organization affiliated with The Arc focused on employment and training services for people with disabilities; partners with The Arc of Howard County and shares employer-relationship infrastructure.

Emerging players

• United Cerebral Palsy of Maryland: National affiliate network providing IDD services including housing, employment, and advocacy; comparable mission but with broader disability focus beyond intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ArcHoward
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgB-DH3dDotG6d4ZBsXTEBw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArcHoward
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-arc-of-howard-county
• Instagraminstagram.com/archoward

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Howard County