Engage NC
EngageNC is a Raleigh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating HANDmeUPs Thrift, EngageNC Ventures, MicroBiz grants, the Raleigh Inclusive Market, and policy advocacy to create employment for adults with Autism/IDD in the NC Triangle region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersRaleigh, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Engage NC does
EngageNC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, that operates a multi-program platform to create employment for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in the NC Triangle region. Founded in 2008 (originally as 'The Power of the Dream') and rebranded to EngageNC, the organization addresses a structural problem in which over 80% of adults with Autism/IDD are unemployed, by combining direct employment, venture financing, micro-enterprise support, marketplace events, and policy advocacy.
The organization's core programs are: (1) HANDmeUPs Thrift, a 9,600 sq ft thrift store in North Raleigh opened in 2013 that employs 19+ adults with Autism/IDD plus 2 managers; (2) EngageNC Ventures, described as the first Autism/IDD-focused venture financing organization in the Triangle, providing low-interest notes, loans, and sponsorships in the $25,000 to $75,000 range to early-stage businesses that hire adults with Autism/IDD, with a capital-recycling model; (3) the MicroBiz Program, which offers grants up to $500 and curated business resources (payment setup, social media, website creation, product photography) to micro-entrepreneurs with Autism/IDD; (4) the Raleigh Inclusive Market, an annual vendor marketplace (held in 2025 and 2026) where 100% of sales go directly to vendors; and (5) Advocacy Services, which holds committee representation on at least eight NC state and local bodies and successfully advocated to raise the NC Direct Support Professional minimum wage to $15/hour in 2021. No proprietary technology stack is disclosed.
Revenue mechanics are diversified across thrift-store retail, charitable donations and grants, and a recycling venture-financing model, with a documented anchor sponsorship of $50,000 to portfolio company 321 Coffee (which has scaled to 3 locations expanding to 6 and ships to 35+ states). Governance is provided by a Board of Directors led by President Bruce Kirschenbaum and Vice President/Co-Founder Rita Faust, supported by a Treasurer, Secretary, additional board members, and an Advisory Board.
Engage NC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Engage NC
- Legal name
- EngageNC
- Website
- https://engage-nc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- EngageNC is a Raleigh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating HANDmeUPs Thrift, EngageNC Ventures, MicroBiz grants, the Raleigh Inclusive Market, and policy advocacy to create employment for adults with Autism/IDD in the NC Triangle region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Engage NC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Employment Services
- NAICS
- Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)
Keywords
Where Engage NC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Raleigh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Engage NC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- HANDmeUPs Thrift Store Revenue: Retail revenue from thrift store operations at 9,600 sq ft facility in North Raleigh. Store employs more than 19 adults with Autism/IDD and generates revenue supporting EngageNC programs.
- Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) organization, EngageNC receives tax-deductible monetary contributions from donors to support its mission of creating employment for adults with Autism/IDD.
- Venture Financing Returns: EngageNC Ventures provides low-interest notes, loans, and sponsorships to portfolio companies. The organization seeks financial returns so funds can be recirculated to create even more jobs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | MicroBiz Grant for micro-entrepreneurs with Autism/IDD |
| Other | Multi-year contract | EngageNC Ventures investment range |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Engage NC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EngageNC creates employment for adults with Autism/IDD in the NC Triangle region through an integrated portfolio of programs: direct employment via the 9,600 sq ft HANDmeUPs Thrift store; venture financing of $25,000 to $75,000 through EngageNC Ventures for inclusive businesses; micro-enterprise training, resources, and grants up to $500 via MicroBiz; an annual Raleigh Inclusive Market; and state-level advocacy work. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by donations, grants, thrift store sales, and recirculating capital.
Product overview
EngageNC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operating as a portfolio of employment-focused programs in the NC Triangle. The organization consists of: HANDmeUPs Thrift (direct employment via a thrift store employing 19+ adults with Autism/IDD); EngageNC Ventures (venture financing from $25,000-$75,000 for inclusive businesses); MicroBiz Program (resources, grants up to $500, and networking for self-employed entrepreneurs); Raleigh Inclusive Market (annual vendor marketplace); and Advocacy Services (policy work to expand employment opportunities). The programs work together to create jobs through direct employment, business financing, micro-enterprise support, and policy advocacy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HANDmeUPs Thrift: A thrift store operated by EngageNC that provides direct employment for adults with Autism/IDD, opened in 2013.
- EngageNC Ventures
- MicroBiz
Products and services
- HANDmeUPs Thrift A 9,600 sq ft thrift store that provides direct employment for more than 19 adults with Autism/IDD in North Raleigh, serving as a model of intentional, meaningful employment and a revenue-generating social enterprise.
- EngageNC Ventures The first Autism/IDD-focused venture financing program in the Triangle, providing $25,000-$75,000 in financing (low-interest notes, loans, and sponsorships) along with mentorship, feedback, and business advisory services to early-stage businesses that commit to hiring adults with Autism/IDD. Funds are intended to be among the last money in.
- MicroBiz Program A micro-enterprise support program providing training, networking, and curated resources (payment setup, social media, website creation, product photography, and business structure guidance) to micro-entrepreneurs with Autism/IDD in the NC Triangle who choose self-employment by creating their own products or services.
- MicroBiz Grant A grant of up to $500 available for makers with Autism and/or IDD who live or sell in the NC Triangle region. Funds can be used for business growth tools such as printers, vinyl cutting machines, vendor market tents, or workbenches, but cannot be used for labor costs.
- Raleigh Inclusive Market An annual marketplace event where local artists and makers with Autism/IDD showcase and sell handmade and small-batch produced goods (stickers, chocolate, jewelry, crochet animals, greeting cards, soap, knitted hats, candles). 100% of sales go directly to vendors, fostering economic empowerment and independence.
- Advocacy Services A policy advocacy program working at state and local levels to improve employment policies and expand job opportunities for adults with Autism/IDD, including DSP pay advocacy (successfully raised NC minimum wage for Direct Support Professionals to $15/hour in 2021) and representation on committees including UNC, NCDHHS, AAIDD, NC Council on Developmental Disabilities, NC Olmstead Plan, and NC Commission on MHDDSAS.
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 19 adults with Autism/IDD employed at HANDmeUPs thrift store since 2013
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Engage NC
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Engage NC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Engage NC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NC DSP Advocacy NetworkcoreCollaborated to successfully advocate for raising the state minimum wage for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to $15/hour in 2021.
- Statewide Supported Living 2/3 Action Team (UNC and NCDHHS)coreEngageNC has a representative serving on this committee to advocate for employment for adults with A/IDD.
- NC Council on Developmental Disabilities Policy Statewide GroupcoreEngageNC has a representative serving on this committee to advocate for employment for adults with A/IDD.
- NC Olmstead PlancoreEngageNC has a representative serving on this committee to advocate for employment for adults with A/IDD.
- NC Commission on Mental Health Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (MHDDSAS)coreEngageNC has a representative serving on this committee to advocate for employment for adults with A/IDD.
- State and Local Consumer and Family Advisory CommitteescoreEngageNC has a representative serving on these committees to advocate for employment for adults with A/IDD.
- NC DHHS / Medicaid StakeholderscoreEngageNC has a representative serving on this committee to advocate for employment for adults with A/IDD.
- PHI National Grant for NC EJEC Project – Essential Jobs Essential CommunityminorEngageNC participates in this grant project focused on essential jobs and essential community.
- Local Management Entity/Management Care Org. (LME/MCOs)coreEngageNC works with LME/MCOs on workforce and employment events to highlight the role of Direct Support Professionals in Supported Employment outcomes.
- HANDmeUPs ThriftcoreEngageNC's own thrift store operation founded in 2013. Provides direct employment to 19+ adults with Autism/IDD in a 9,600 sq ft facility. Increases financial resources of EngageNC programs.
- American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)coreEngageNC has a representative serving on this committee to advocate for employment for adults with A/IDD.
- NC State Park Scholarsminor321 Coffee founders Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans were NC State Park Scholars, connecting EngageNC to their founding story in 2019.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Engage NC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Arc: National disability advocacy and services organization with employment programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; comparable to EngageNC in serving the IDD employment population and engaging in policy advocacy.
- AHRC NYC: Large nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across employment, residential, and advocacy programs; highly comparable to EngageNC's multi-program integrated approach to IDD employment.
- Best Buddies International: National nonprofit operating employment programs specifically for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; directly comparable to EngageNC's vocational and integrated employment services for the IDD population.
- Melwood: Maryland-based nonprofit operating social enterprises (retail, landscaping, staffing) that employ people with disabilities; the closest analog to EngageNC's thrift-store-plus-financing model combining direct employment with mission-aligned business support.
- JVS (Jewish Vocational Service): Network of nonprofits providing vocational rehabilitation, skills training, and employment placement for people with disabilities and other barriers; shares EngageNC's combination of training, placement, and employer engagement.
- SourceAmerica: AbilityOne-affiliated nonprofit that creates employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities, including through contracting and training; directly comparable to EngageNC Ventures' financing of inclusive businesses.
- Easterseals: National nonprofit providing employment, vocational training, and social enterprises for people with disabilities; directly comparable to EngageNC's HANDmeUPs/Ventures/MicroBiz stack and its mission of meaningful employment for adults with Autism/IDD.
Broad incumbents
- Autism Speaks: Large national autism advocacy organization with employment-focused initiatives and grantmaking; broader research/policy portfolio but comparable in serving the Autism community with employment support.
- Goodwill Industries International: Massive national nonprofit running thrift-based social enterprises and employment programs (including for people with disabilities); broader portfolio than EngageNC but structurally the closest large-scale analog to the HANDmeUPs model.
Regional players
- Autism Society of North Carolina: State-level autism advocacy and services organization in the same NC Triangle geography; a recognized partner and board-connection overlap with EngageNC, with overlapping employment and advocacy missions for the Autism community.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Engage NC social profiles
Digital presenceEngage NC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Engage NC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Engage NC subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Engage NC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Engage NC 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 Engage NC
What does Engage NC do?
EngageNC creates employment for adults with Autism/IDD in the NC Triangle region through an integrated portfolio of programs: direct employment via the 9,600 sq ft HANDmeUPs Thrift store; venture financing of $25,000 to $75,000 through EngageNC Ventures for inclusive businesses; micro-enterprise training, resources, and grants up to $500 via MicroBiz; an annual Raleigh Inclusive Market; and state-level advocacy work. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by donations, grants, thrift store sales, and recirculating capital.
Is Engage NC a public or private company?
Engage NC is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Engage NC founded?
Engage NC was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Engage NC based?
Engage NC is headquartered in Raleigh, United States, in the North America region.
How does Engage NC make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. HANDmeUPs Thrift Store Revenue is the primary driver. The others are donations and Grants and venture Financing Returns.
Who are Engage NC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Arc, AHRC NYC, Best Buddies International, Melwood, JVS (Jewish Vocational Service), SourceAmerica and Easterseals. Broad incumbents are Autism Speaks and Goodwill Industries International. Autism Society of North Carolina is listed as a regional player.
Does Engage NC have an API?
No public API is recorded for Engage NC.
What industry is Engage NC in?
Engage NC's product category is Disability Employment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAF, Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 8133 and its SIC code is 7361.