Center for Independence

What Center for Independence does

Center for Independence (CFI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1981 at Good Samaritan Hospital and headquartered in Lakewood, Washington. It provides non-residential, community-based independent living services to people with disabilities ages 14 and up across eight Washington counties (Thurston, Pierce, South King, Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island, and San Juan). The organization is explicitly "operated BY people with disabilities FOR people with disabilities," with a board mandate requiring at least 51% board members with disabilities, and is rooted in the Independent Living Movement philosophy of consumer choice, autonomy, and self-determination.

CFI's service portfolio is anchored by a Core Services Program (Information & Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Support, Individual & Systemic Advocacy, and Transition Services) and extends through specialized offerings: a Youth Transition Program for ages 14–24 (including a 2025 University of Washington summer workshop), a Pathways to Community Living (PCL) fee-for-service program for deinstitutionalization via the federal Money Follows the Person Medicaid program, Veteran Services including Veteran Directed Care delivered through VA and Neuro-Rehab Management referrals, Emergency Preparedness Services with established advisor roles to FEMA, the Red Cross, and Portlight, and recurring Out and About peer support groups across multiple cities. There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery blends in-person, community-based outreach, school partnerships, and (post-June 2025) a virtual North Sound Team.

The revenue model is grant-and-donation-based: the primary funding stream is federal ACL grants through the US Department of Health and Human Services (held since 1991, with a second grant for the North Sound region since 2012), supplemented by 100% tax-deductible individual and business donations, and fee-for-service revenue from PCL. Services are free to eligible individuals in the 8-county service area, with other counties served on a fee-for-service basis. Customer acquisition is community-led and referral-driven, with go-to-market channels including partner referrals (ADRC, DVR, VA, Neuro-Rehab Management), school partnerships for IEP/504-plan students, community events, and a small organic social/blog presence.

Name

Center for Independence

Legal name

Center for Independence

Website

https://centerforindependence.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Center for Independence is a Washington State 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded 1981, providing community-based independent living services — peer support, advocacy, skills training, youth transition, veteran, and deinstitutionalization programs — to people with disabilities ages 14+ across eight counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Independent Living Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Benefits Counseling & Financial Literacy for Transition-Age Youth (EDAKANAJ)

Keywords

• Independent living services
• Disability advocacy
• Peer support programs
• Youth transition services
• Veteran disability care

Headquarters

HQ city

Lakewood

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Grants: Primary funding source is the US Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration of Community Living (ACL). This federal funding supports core independent living services across their 8-county service area.
2. Individual and Business Donations: CFI receives donations from individuals and businesses in the communities they serve. All donations are 100% tax deductible as they are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
3. Fee-for-Service Programs: CFI offers fee-for-service programs such as Pathways to Community Living (PCL), which assists individuals transitioning from institutions back into the community. This program originated from the 'Money Follows the Person' federal Medicaid program.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CFI is a non-residential, community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides independent living services to people with disabilities ages 14 and up across eight Washington counties. Its offerings span Core Services (Information & Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Support, Individual & Systemic Advocacy, Transition Services), the Youth Transition Program, the Pathways to Community Living deinstitutionalization program, Veteran Directed Care, Emergency Preparedness Services, and Out and About Peer Support Groups. All services are operated BY people with disabilities FOR people with disabilities.

Product overview

Center for Independence (CFI) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing a unified portfolio of community-based independent living services for people with disabilities. The organization operates its Core Services Program as the primary offering, encompassing Information & Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Support, Individual & Systemic Advocacy, and Transition Services. Key specialized programs include the Youth Transition Program for ages 14-24, the Pathways to Community Living (PCL) program for deinstitutionalization, and Veteran Services including Veteran Directed Care. CFI also provides Emergency Preparedness Services, Out and About Peer Support Groups across multiple locations, and community events. Services are free for eligible individuals and are funded primarily through the Administration for Community Living (ACL). The organization serves eight counties in Washington State through its Lakewood headquarters and remote North Sound operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Services Program Comprehensive suite of independent living services including Information & Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Support, Individual & Systemic Advocacy, and Transition Services for people with disabilities ages 14 and up across CFI's eight-county service area.
• Youth Transition Program Independent living services for youth with disabilities ages 14-24, including one-on-one goal planning, monthly peer groups, and an annual summer workshop (e.g., 2025 University of Washington campus event) focusing on employment, education, and self-advocacy skills.
• Pathways to Community Living (PCL) Program Fee-for-service program assisting individuals in transitioning from institutions such as nursing homes back into community living; originated from the federal Money Follows the Person Medicaid program.
• Veteran Services Program Long-term case management and independent living skills training for veterans with brain injury, spinal cord injury, or neurological disorders, with referrals from Neuro-Rehab Management and the VA Veteran Directed Care program.
• Out and About Peer Support Groups Monthly peer support groups in Lakewood, Marysville, Burlington, and Bellingham for adults and seniors with disabilities to connect, mentor each other, learn about community services, and participate in social activities.
• Emergency Preparedness Services Disability-focused emergency preparedness program providing guidance, checklists, and planning resources for individuals with disabilities to prepare for natural disasters and emergencies; CFI serves as disability integration advisor for FEMA, Red Cross, and Portlight.

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants successfully transition from nursing homes to independent apartments
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 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 core, major and minor.

• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFI serves as a disability integration advisor for FEMA at local, state, and federal levels. They have promoted emergency preparedness for people with disabilities for over 10 years, helping agencies incorporate accessibility into disaster planning and response.
• American Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFI serves as a disability integration advisor for the American Red Cross, working to ensure disaster preparedness and response services are accessible to people with disabilities.
• PortlightcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFI serves as a disability integration advisor for Portlight, a nonprofit focused on disability inclusion in disaster preparedness and response.
• Neuro-Rehab ManagementcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNeuro-Rehab Management refers veterans to CFI for long-term case management and independent living skills training. CFI is contracted to work with veterans who have sustained brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other neurological disorders.
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe VA refers veterans who want to participate in the Veteran Directed Care program to CFI. This program provides community-based services to help veterans live independently.
• Division of Vocational RehabilitationmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDVR refers participants to CFI for independent living services. CFI staff work with DVR clients to provide independent living skills training and support.
• Aging and Disability Resource CentermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorADRC serves as a referral partner, directing individuals to CFI for community-based services. Partner testimonial notes CFI as one of their key partners they rely on for ensuring people get connected to services.
• Money Follows the Person (Federal Medicaid Program)coreOthersThe Pathways to Community Living (PCL) program originated from Money Follows the Person, a federal Medicaid program. CFI is authorized to recruit and educate nursing home residents about opportunities to transition back to the community.
• University of WashingtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for CFI's 2025 Youth Transition Summer Workshop, providing campus facilities for the overnight event focused on preparing youth with disabilities for college and employment.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Access Living: Access Living is a Chicago-based Center for Independent Living providing peer support, independent living skills training, and youth transition programs. Its CIL designation, service mix, and urban-community orientation closely parallel CFI's operating model.
• IndependenceFirst: IndependenceFirst is a Milwaukee-area Center for Independent Living offering independent living services, advocacy, and youth transition programs. Its service portfolio, federal CIL designation, and youth transition programming closely parallel CFI's offerings.
• Imagine!: Imagine! is a Colorado-based nonprofit providing services for people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities, including independent living supports and day programs. It is directly comparable to CFI as a community-based disability services and independent living nonprofit with a similar federal-grant-funded operating model.
• The Whole Person: The Whole Person is a Kansas City-area Center for Independent Living providing independent living skills training, advocacy, and peer support to people with disabilities. It mirrors CFI's core service mix, federal-grant funding model, and mission-driven peer-support approach.

Regional players

• The Arc of Washington State: The Arc of Washington State is the state chapter of The Arc, providing advocacy and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is a regional peer sharing CFI's mission of disability empowerment and serving Washington residents.
• Disability Rights Washington: Disability Rights Washington is the state's federally funded Protection & Advocacy organization providing legal advocacy for people with disabilities. It is comparable as a Washington-based disability advocacy entity, though focused on legal rather than direct service delivery.
• North West Center: North West Center is a Washington State-based disability services organization providing early intervention, inclusive childcare, and disability employment supports. It overlaps with CFI on disability services and the same Washington geography, with a stronger employment-services emphasis.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals Washington: Easterseals Washington is part of the national Easterseals network providing disability services including employment, housing, and veteran services. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping programs (veteran, employment, community services) but operates at a much larger geographic and organizational scale than CFI.

Others

• National Council on Independent Living: NCIL is the national membership organization for the CIL network, providing advocacy, training, and federal policy representation for organizations like CFI. It is an ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor, but its policy work shapes CFI's funding environment.
• Washington State Independent Living Council: WASILC is the federally mandated statewide independent living council that partners with CFI on the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). It is an ecosystem participant governing and funding CIL services rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CFIsouth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-independence

Compliance2 records

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 Center for Independence