Empower Spinal Cord Injury, Inc

What Empower Spinal Cord Injury, Inc does

Empower Spinal Cord Injury, Inc is a non-profit corporation that operates residential and year-round rehabilitation programs for individuals living with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The organization was established by three co-founder licensed clinicians, Carrie Callahan (President), Jessica Goodine (Clerk), and Elizabeth Lima Remillard (Treasurer), and has operated since its pilot program at Stony Brook University in July 2012. Empower SCI delivers programming through a four-pillar model: Summer Intensive Programs (1-2 week residential rehabilitation at university campuses in New York, Montana, and Rhode Island), Empower Pathways (bite-sized adventure and local events year-round), Community Outreach and Education including the Beyond Basics continuing education courses for clinicians, and Virtual Programming (Empower Hour, Caregiver Connect, Afterglow burnout support).

The organization has served over 100 individuals with SCI since inception and has trained more than 500 volunteers, with clinical specialists required to hold a minimum of two years of SCI-specific rehabilitation experience. Participants pay a $25 application fee and a $2,500 program fee for the one-week residential program, which includes room, board, therapy, adaptive recreation, and 24/7 care support. A separate Beyond Basics Junior Clinical Specialist Track certification is offered at $500 per participant.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of program fees, foundation grants (Craig Neilsen Foundation, Reeve Foundation, Permobil Foundation, Matt Brown Foundation), corporate sponsorships (Wandercraft Technologies, Reachable Technology), individual donations via Classy.org, branded merchandise sales ($20-$48.50 price range), and fundraising events including the annual Empower Gala, Empower on the Water, and Empower in the Mountains. The organization operates with 11 employees across program locations in Rhode Island (Warren mailing address, East Greenwich program site), Montana (Missoula at University of Montana), and Massachusetts (Somerville headquarters), with sponsorship and grants drawn from a national funder base.

Name

Empower Spinal Cord Injury, Inc

Legal name

Empower Spinal Cord Injury, Inc

Website

https://empowersci.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Empower Spinal Cord Injury, Inc is a non-profit that delivers residential and year-round rehabilitation programs, peer mentoring, adaptive recreation, and clinical education for individuals living with spinal cord injuries and the clinicians who serve them, operating across multiple U.S. program locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centers (HLAFAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Neurologic Rehabilitation (Stroke, TBI, Parkinson’s, MS) (HSADAIAC), Sports Medicine, Athletic Training & Rehabilitation Services (EDALAIAH), Rehabilitation Return-to-Exercise Training (Non-Clinical) (HSADAAAK)

Keywords

• Spinal cord rehabilitation
• Adaptive recreation services
• Peer mentoring programs
• Wheelchair skills training
• Physical therapy education

Headquarters

HQ city

Warren

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Participants pay program fees including a $25 application fee and $2,500 for the 1-week intensive summer program. This is the primary revenue stream for direct service delivery.
2. Foundation Grants and Support: Empower SCI receives grant support from foundations including the Permobil Foundation, Matt Brown Foundation, Reeve Foundation (Quality of Life Grants 2017, 2021), and Craig Neilsen Foundation (Creating Opportunities and Independence Grants 2014, 2019, 2024).
3. Merchandise Sales: The organization operates an e-commerce store selling branded merchandise including hoodies, t-shirts, accessories, and gift cards. Products are priced from $20 to $48.50.
4. Donations: Individual donations are accepted through Classy.org platform. The organization hosts fundraising events including the annual Empower Gala to generate charitable contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Empower Spinal Cord Injury, Inc provides residential and year-round rehabilitation programs for individuals living with spinal cord injuries, including a multi-day Summer Intensive program, the Empower Pathways program, Community Outreach and Education (Beyond Basics), Virtual Programming, and a Teen and Young Adult Program. Offerings combine clinical therapy, peer mentoring, adaptive recreation, and wheelchair skills training to support continued recovery after discharge from traditional inpatient rehabilitation.

Product overview

Empower Spinal Cord Injury, Inc operates as a non-profit organization offering a four-pillar programming model: Summer Intensive Programs (residential 1-2 week rehabilitation at universities), Empower Pathways (year-round bite-sized adventure events), Community Outreach and Education (Beyond Basics courses and wheelchair skills training), and Virtual Programming (online support groups and counseling). The organization also operates a merchandise store. The programs are delivered through clinical specialists, peer mentors, residential aides, and rehabilitation counselors, focusing on individuals with spinal cord injuries who are at least one year post-injury.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Intensive Program Residential multi-day intensive rehabilitation program for individuals with spinal cord injuries that combines clinical therapy, peer mentoring, adaptive recreation, and wheelchair skills training. The program is hosted at multiple locations across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and New York.
• Empower Pathways Program Year-round follow-on program that extends the Summer Intensive into ongoing goal-setting, peer mentoring, and adaptive recreation for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
• Community Outreach and Education (Beyond Basics) Community-facing education program providing wheelchair skills, SCI awareness, and adaptive recreation instruction to local communities served by Empower SCI.
• Virtual Programming Remote delivery of adaptive recreation, peer mentoring, and educational sessions for individuals with spinal cord injuries who cannot attend in-person programs.
• Teen and Young Adult Program Dedicated program for teens and young adults with spinal cord injuries focused on building confidence, peer connection, and independence through adapted activities and peer mentoring.
• Empower SCI Online Store Online merchandise store selling Empower SCI branded apparel and accessories, with proceeds supporting the nonprofit's programs.
• Clinical Training Placement Program Placement program hosting graduate students and clinical fellows at the Summer Intensive for hands-on SCI rehabilitation training (e.g., 5 graduate students and 1 fellow in 2024).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 individuals with SCI served since 2012
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stony Brook UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStony Brook University in New York hosted the pilot program in July 2012 and has served as Empower SCI's flagship program location. The partnership provides campus facilities for residential rehabilitation programming.
• University of MontanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Montana hosts the Adult West Program launched in summer 2019. The partnership enables programs in the western United States.
• Burke RehabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBurke Rehab hosted a Beyond Basics weekend course on functional mat mobility, transfers, and exercise in White Plains, NY (September 2025).
• New England Institute of TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew England Institute of Technology hosted a Beyond Basics course on Smart Technology and gaming for Paralysis (March-April 2025).
• Waypoint AdventureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaypoint Adventure collaborated with Empower SCI on an Adaptive Mountain Bike Series, providing outdoor adventure programming for SCI participants.
• New England Disabled SportsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew England Disabled Sports partnered with Empower SCI for adaptive skiing programs at Bretton Woods, NH.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Burke Rehabilitation Hospital: White Plains, NY-based rehabilitation hospital where Empower SCI has hosted Beyond Basics courses. Offers SCI and neurological rehab programs; direct operating peer with regional overlap in the Northeast.
• Push to Walk: New Jersey-based nonprofit providing activity-based workout programs for people with spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions. Closely comparable small-niche, community-based SCI rehabilitation peer.
• Shepherd Center: Atlanta-based nonprofit specializing in SCI and brain injury rehabilitation, including residential and outpatient programs. Most directly comparable large-scale SCI rehabilitation peer with a similar participant-focused mission.
• Craig Hospital: Englewood, Colorado-based nonprofit hospital dedicated exclusively to SCI and TBI rehabilitation. Operates residential rehabilitation programs with strong outcomes research and clinical expertise — closely analogous to Empower SCI's clinical model.
• NextStep: Nonprofit providing paralysis recovery and adaptive fitness programming in multiple US locations. Operates a similar community-based, post-acute SCI rehabilitation model with a comparable price point and peer-driven ethos.
• Project Walk: Nonprofit paralysis recovery center offering intensive, activity-based therapy programs for SCI. Direct peer in the post-acute, exercise-based residential rehab space, though larger and more established.

Broad incumbents

• Kennedy Krieger Institute: Baltimore-based nonprofit hospital and research institution serving children and adults with neurological and developmental disabilities, including SCI. Broader incumbent with overlapping rehabilitation focus and pediatric/transitional-age programs analogous to Empower SCI's Teen Program.
• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: Large national SCI-focused nonprofit providing advocacy, research funding, and Quality of Life grants (a program through which Empower SCI has been funded). Larger/incumbent peer with similar mission but not direct program operator.
• United Spinal Association: National nonprofit providing advocacy, peer support, and resources for the SCI community. Broader incumbent with overlapping service population but different operating model (no residential programs).
• The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis: University of Miami-based research and rehabilitation center for SCI. Operates both clinical rehab programs and research, making it a broader incumbent peer with overlapping rehabilitation programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@empowersci
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/empower-spinal-cord-injury-incorporated

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 Empower Spinal Cord Injury, Inc