What Center for Chronic Illness does

The Center for Chronic Illness (CCI) is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 that promotes well-being and decreases isolation for individuals and loved ones impacted by chronic illness. Its core service is a portfolio of 23 ongoing virtual support groups, more than doubled from 12 groups in 2019, facilitated by licensed mental health professionals and delivered on the third-party HeyPeers (Support Groups Central) platform. CCI also operates 14 health education programs on topics such as self-care, mental health, nutrition, and symptom management, plus 10 continuing education (CEU) programs for licensed mental health professionals. Specialized tracks serve women (73% of the community identifies as women), BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ participants, rare illness patients, and caregivers of those with chronic illness. As of 2025-2026, CCI serves 6,023 people across all 50 U.S. states and 26 countries, with 7,442 HeyPeers subscribers, 7,646 e-newsletter subscribers, and 5,372 social media followers.

CCI's underlying technology is intentionally lightweight: a Wix-hosted website for content, signups, and donations, with the HeyPeers virtual platform handling all web-based group delivery. The organization has no proprietary AI or data infrastructure and does not publish an API or app. Annual virtual events — the inaugural Chronic Illness Symposium in April 2026 (35+ sessions, with a 2nd Annual edition announced for April 16-17, 2027) and the Drag Queen Bingo Fundraiser entering its 5th year — extend the product surface into conference and community-celebration formats.

The business model is donation-funded and free to participants. Revenue streams include one-time and recurring donations via PayPal (with a $10/month entry tier and a $200/month or $2,400/year Legacy Circle tier for major donors), Text-to-Donate via GiveLively and Stripe, planned giving and estate gifts, third-party affiliate programs (Amazon Smile, Fred Meyer Community Rewards, Bonfire apparel, Buoy supplements, Full Circle Farms, Rare Patient Voice, Tix4Cause), restaurant-night partnerships (e.g., Panda Express), and event-based fundraising (Drag Queen Bingo tickets at $30-$100, Symposium replay at $15, virtual exhibitor fees). Go-to-market is community-led: word-of-mouth, social media, newsletter subscriptions, and event-driven donor acquisition, with the organization operating virtually from a single P.O. Box in Seattle under a 21-person staff.

Name

Center for Chronic Illness

Legal name

The Center for Chronic Illness

Website

https://thecenterforchronicillness.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Center for Chronic Illness is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating virtual support groups and health education programs for individuals impacted by chronic illness. Licensed clinicians facilitate 23 ongoing groups serving over 6,000 people across all 50 U.S. states and 26 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations: CCI accepts one-time and recurring monthly contributions through PayPal. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with Tax ID 81-2183510. They also accept stock donations and Text-to-Donate via GiveLively and Stripe.
2. Legacy Circle Recurring Donations: Monthly donors committing at least $200/month or $2,400 annually receive special recognition and updates.
3. Planned Giving / Estate Gifts: CCI accepts estate gifts and bequests to support future generations of those impacted by chronic illness.
4. Third-Party Fundraising Partnerships: Various programs including Amazon Smile, Fred Meyer Community Rewards, Bonfire merchandise sales, Full Circle Farms produce delivery, Rare Patient Voice referrals, and Tix4Cause event tickets generate donations.
5. Event Fundraising: Virtual events like Drag Queen Bingo Fundraiser generate revenue through ticket sales ($30-$100). Also restaurant partnership nights where restaurants donate a percentage of sales.
6. Symposium Exhibitor Fees: The Chronic Illness Symposium offers virtual exhibitor opportunities with varying benefit levels for companies and organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Center for Chronic Illness delivers ongoing virtual peer support groups and health education programs for individuals impacted by chronic illness and their loved ones. All groups are facilitated by licensed mental health professionals and are offered free of charge, with specialized tracks for general chronic illness, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, rare illnesses, and caregivers/loved ones. Complementary offerings include health education events, continuing education (CEU) programs for healthcare providers, and community fundraising events such as the annual Chronic Illness Symposium and Drag Queen Bingo.

Product overview

The Center for Chronic Illness (CCI) is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of peer support and health education services for individuals and loved ones impacted by chronic illness. The core offering consists of 27 ongoing virtual support groups (delivered via the HeyPeers platform), facilitated by licensed mental health professionals, including general chronic illness groups, BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ groups, rare illness groups, and groups for loved ones. These are complemented by Health Education Programs covering self-care, mental health, nutrition, and symptom management; Continuing Education (CEU) Programs for healthcare professionals; annual events including the Chronic Illness Symposium (launched April 2026) and Drag Queen Bingo fundraiser; and CCI Restaurant Nights community fundraising partnerships. All programs are free, accessible, and delivered virtually, with participants from all 50 U.S. states and 26 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Chronic Illness Support Groups Ongoing virtual support groups facilitated by licensed mental health professionals, providing a safe space for individuals impacted by chronic illness to meet others and receive peer support. Free of charge and accessible nationwide and internationally via the HeyPeers platform.
• BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ Support Groups Specialized virtual support groups providing culturally responsive and identity-affirming spaces for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and LGBTQIA+ individuals impacted by chronic illness, facilitated by licensed mental health professionals.
• Rare Chronic Illness Support Groups Virtual support groups specifically designed for individuals living with rare chronic illnesses, providing connection and understanding for those with less common conditions, facilitated by licensed mental health professionals.
• Support for Loved Ones Virtual support groups for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with chronic illness, addressing the unique challenges faced by those supporting someone with ongoing health challenges.
• Health Education Programs Health education events covering self-care, mental health, nutrition, symptom management, and social and financial resources, delivered virtually for both patients and healthcare professionals.
• Continuing Education (CEU) Programs Continuing education programs for licensed mental health professionals and healthcare providers, offering CEU credits through training on chronic illness, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive mental health topics.
• Chronic Illness Symposium Annual virtual conference bringing together individuals living with chronic illness, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare/mental health providers for education, connection, and community. Features patient/caregiver and provider tracks.
• Drag Queen Bingo Fundraiser Annual virtual fundraising event featuring drag performances and multiple rounds of bingo, combining community celebration with fundraising. Ticketed at $30 (Celebration), $60 (Celebration Box), and $100 (Superstar) tiers, with a Pay-What-You-Can option.
• CCI Restaurant Nights Fundraising initiative partnering with restaurants (including Panda Express online orders with code 9010159) where participating restaurants donate a percentage of sales on selected dates to support CCI's chronic illness programs.
• Supporting Women with Chronic Illness Campaign Virtual fundraising and awareness initiative focused on supporting women impacted by chronic illness, with matched donations from sponsor We Work for Health WA.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served 3,120 unique support group attendees from 2017-present
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HeyPeers (Support Groups Central)coreTechnology or IntegrationCCI hosts all web-based support groups on the HeyPeers (Support Groups Central) platform. Participants create accounts with these entities to join virtual support groups. CCI collects names, emails, location data, and gender data for administrative purposes and administers surveys after each support group meeting.
• BonfireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCCI collaborated with Bonfire to design and sell CCI apparel (sweatshirts and t-shirts). A portion of every purchase is donated to CCI.
• BuoyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBuoy created clean hydration supplements. New customers receive 20% off and 25% of each purchase is donated to the chronic illness community using a special link.
• Full Circle FarmsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFull Circle Farms delivers fresh organic produce. Customers can earn 10% back for CCI on every purchase.
• Fred MeyerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFred Meyer Community Rewards program allows shoppers to designate CCI as their chosen charity on their frequent shopper card, with CCI receiving a percentage of eligible purchases.
• Rare Patient VoiceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRare Patient Voice connects patients and caregivers to surveys and research studies. Sign-ups receive a $5 gift card and CCI receives a $5 donation.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCCI receives donations through Amazon Smile when customers shop and designate CCI as their charity (Tax ID: 81-2183510).
• Tix4CauseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTix4Cause allows supporters to purchase tickets to live music, sporting events, and theatrical performances with a percentage donated to CCI.
• Panda ExpressminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCCI Restaurant Night partner where customers can order online using code 9010159 and 28% of their order is donated to CCI.
• 2026 Symposium Virtual ExhibitorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTED Community, Epilepsy Foundation Washington, Second Haven, IgNS, Able National Resource Center, Be Well, FNHO, TAF (Tardive Dyskinesia Foundation), and The Disability Project served as virtual exhibitors at the 2026 Chronic Illness Symposium.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PatientsLikeMe: Online patient community platform offering peer support, symptom tracking, and shared experience for people living with chronic conditions. Direct comparable to CCI's virtual peer support mission, though PatientsLikeMe is a for-profit technology platform.
• MyHealthTeams: Social network for people with chronic conditions, operating condition-specific communities that connect patients and caregivers. Comparable to CCI's chronic-illness community model and target populations.
• Inspire: Online patient community platform connecting patients and caregivers across chronic conditions, with partnership relationships to health advocacy organizations. Comparable to CCI's virtual support group infrastructure.
• The Mighty: Digital health community and publishing platform for people living with chronic illness, mental health conditions, and disability. Closely comparable to CCI's editorial/community-driven support model.
• American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA): 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing peer-led support groups and education for individuals living with chronic pain. Closely comparable to CCI as a chronic-illness-focused nonprofit offering facilitated support groups.
• Chronic Disease Coalition: Nonprofit advocacy and education organization for people living with chronic diseases. Comparable to CCI's nonprofit mission supporting those impacted by chronic illness, with overlapping outreach.

Broad incumbents

• National Health Council: Established nonprofit umbrella organization supporting people with chronic diseases and disabilities through advocacy, policy, and member services. Broader in scope than CCI but operates in the same chronic-illness patient support space.

Others

• Wellable: Employee wellbeing platform that includes chronic-condition support content. Adjacent ecosystem player rather than direct competitor, but illustrative of how CCI's B2B/employer programming could be commercialized.

Emerging players

• CreakyJoints: Patient-driven arthritis community (part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation) offering education, support, and advocacy. Comparable niche focus on a chronic illness population with virtual education and community programming.

Regional players

• Hope for Chronic Illness Support Groups (e.g., HopeConnections): Nonprofit offering free support groups (including virtual) for people affected by cancer and other chronic illnesses. Directly comparable facilitated support group model, though more cancer-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CciSeattle
• Facebookfacebook.com/centerforchronicillness
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-chronic-illness
• Instagraminstagram.com/centerforchronicillness

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Chronic Illness