Northwest Special Recreation Association

Adaptive and Therapeutic Recreation Servicesnwsra.org

Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) is a nonprofit cooperative partnership of 17 park districts in Chicago's northwest suburbs, providing adaptive recreation, inclusion services, and Special Olympics for children and adults with disabilities.

Company typePrivate
Founded1980
HeadquartersRolling Meadows, United States
Headcount101–250
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What Northwest Special Recreation Association does

Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) is a nonprofit special recreation association operating as a cooperative partnership of 17 park districts in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Founded in 1973, NWSRA delivers adaptive recreational programs, inclusion services, and Special Olympics participation for children and adults with disabilities. Programming is led by Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) and Certified Park and Recreation Professionals (CPRP), and spans athletics, day camps, social clubs, the PURSUIT adult day program, inclusion support, leisure education, and specialized offerings such as a Snoezelen Sensory Room, Community Sensory Garden, Dream Lab, NWSRA Village, and Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies. The organization also operates the NWSRA Activity Center, an online platform offering virtual content across categories including cooking, crafts, fitness, nature, reading, sensory, and general activities, extending reach beyond physical park-district sites.

NWSRA's technology stack is service-delivery oriented rather than platform-oriented: it consists of a brochure-based registration system, the Activity Center content portal, and standard web/social properties. The organization holds IPRA Distinguished Accredited Agency status and the NRPA Excellence in Inclusion Award, positioning it as a nationally recognized provider of inclusive recreation.

The revenue model combines participant program fees, member park-district contributions, and donations channeled through its affiliated nonprofit, the Special Leisure Services Foundation (SLSF). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; programs are accessed through member park-district registration and direct office contact. NWSRA's 17-district cooperative structure, multi-decade operating history, and certified-staff base constitute its core operational and reputational assets.

Northwest Special Recreation Association firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Northwest Special Recreation Association
Legal name: Northwest Special Recreation Association
Website: https://nwsra.org
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1980
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 101–250 employees
Short description: Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) is a nonprofit cooperative partnership of 17 park districts in Chicago's northwest suburbs, providing adaptive recreation, inclusion services, and Special Olympics for children and adults with disabilities.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Northwest Special Recreation Association industry classification

Industry

Product category: Adaptive and Therapeutic Recreation Services
NAICS: Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)
SIC: Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
akta.pro primary industry: Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs (MPAKAJAK)
akta.pro secondary industries: Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI), Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO), Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC)

Keywords

Adaptive recreation programs
Therapeutic recreation services
Disability inclusion services
Special needs day programs
Community recreation programs

Where Northwest Special Recreation Association is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Rolling Meadows
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

Northwest Special Recreation Association business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

Program Fees: NWSRA generates revenue through participant program fees for recreational activities, day camps, athletics, and community programs. The organization also receives support from member park districts as part of the cooperative partnership structure.
Donations to SLSF: The Special Leisure Services Foundation (SLSF), NWSRA's affiliated nonprofit, accepts donations to support NWSRA programs and participants.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Northwest Special Recreation Association product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) delivers adaptive and therapeutic recreation programs, inclusion services, and Special Olympics opportunities for children and adults with disabilities in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Operating as a cooperative partnership of 17 member park districts, NWSRA offers in-person programs such as athletics, day camps, social clubs, the PURSUIT adult day program, leisure education, and specialized facilities including Snoezelen Sensory Rooms and a Community Sensory Garden, complemented by an online Activity Center with virtual activities and resources.

Product overview

NWSRA provides outstanding recreational opportunities for children and adults with disabilities as a partnership of 17 park districts in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. The organization operates a multi-faceted portfolio of in-person recreational programs including Athletics, Day Camps, Social Clubs, PURSUIT Community Day Program, Inclusion Services, and specialized offerings such as the Snoezelen Sensory Room, Community Sensory Garden, Dream Lab, NWSRA Village, Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies, and Leisure Education. Complementing these in-person services is the Activity Center, an online platform offering virtual activities, videos, and resources across categories including Cooking-Nutrition, Crafts, Fitness, Nature-Animals, Reading, Sensory, and General Activities. The organization also provides Volunteer Program opportunities for individuals 14+ and Employment Services including positions for recreation assistants, inclusion aides, drivers, and direct support professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Recreational Programs Innovative recreational programs for children and adults with disabilities including athletics, day camps, social clubs, and leisure education activities delivered through 17 partner park districts.
Inclusion Services Support services to include individuals with disabilities in community recreational programs with necessary accommodations and assistance.
PURSUIT Community Day Program Adult day program providing daily activities, community engagement, and support services for adults with disabilities.
Snoezelen Sensory Room Multi-sensory environment designed for individuals with disabilities to provide relaxation and therapeutic stimulation through controlled sensory experiences.
NWSRA Village Community program designed to foster connection and support for individuals with disabilities within their local community.
Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies Health and wellness-focused programming combining physical activity with mental health support for participants.
Dream Lab Innovative program providing creative and experiential opportunities for individuals with disabilities to explore interests and skills.
Community Sensory Garden Outdoor sensory garden providing therapeutic horticultural experiences for individuals with disabilities.
Heart of the Community Program focused on community involvement and social connection for individuals with disabilities.
Leisure Education Educational programming teaching leisure skills and activities to help individuals with disabilities develop lifelong recreational interests.
Activity Center Online platform providing virtual activities, videos, and resources including cooking, crafts, fitness, nature, reading, sensory activities, and general recreation content for participants and families.
Volunteer Program Volunteer opportunities for individuals 14 years and older to support recreational programs for people with disabilities.
Employment Services Job placement and employment opportunities including positions for General Recreation Program Assistant, Inclusion Aide, Driver, and Direct Support Professional.

Companies that use Northwest Special Recreation Association

Customer profile

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Northwest Special Recreation Association technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Northwest Special Recreation Association partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA)coreOthersProfessional association membership providing accreditation, resources, and professional development for therapeutic recreation professionals. NWSRA holds Distinguished Accredited Agency status from IPRA.
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)coreOthersNational professional association membership. NWSRA received the NRPA Excellence in Inclusion Award for national leadership in diversity and inclusion.
Illinois Association of Park DistrictscoreOthersState association supporting park districts and recreation services across Illinois.
Park Districts Risk Management Agency (PDRMA)minorOthersRisk management organization serving park districts with insurance and safety resources.
Special Leisure Services Foundation (SLSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWSRA's affiliated nonprofit foundation that accepts donations, organizes fundraising events, and supports SLSF programs and participants. Operates as the fundraising arm of NWSRA.
17 Northwest Suburban Park DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember park districts: Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Mt. Prospect, Palatine, Prospect Heights, River Trails, Rolling Meadows, Salt Creek, Schaumburg, South Barrington, Streamwood, and Wheeling. These districts partner with NWSRA to provide recreation services for residents with disabilities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Northwest Special Recreation Association competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Northwest Special Recreation Association compliance and trust

Trust signal

Compliance1 record

Northwest Special Recreation Association financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Northwest Special Recreation Association leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Northwest Special Recreation Association subsidiaries and ownership

Company hierarchy

Subsidiaries1 record

Northwest Special Recreation Association funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Northwest Special Recreation Association M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northwest Special Recreation Association

What does Northwest Special Recreation Association do?

Is Northwest Special Recreation Association a public or private company?

Northwest Special Recreation Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was Northwest Special Recreation Association founded?

Northwest Special Recreation Association was founded in 1980. It employs 101 to 250 people.

Where is Northwest Special Recreation Association based?

Northwest Special Recreation Association is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, United States, in the North America region.

How does Northwest Special Recreation Association make money?

Two revenue lines are on record. Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations to SLSF.

Does Northwest Special Recreation Association have an API?

No public API is recorded for Northwest Special Recreation Association.

What industry is Northwest Special Recreation Association in?

Northwest Special Recreation Association's product category is Adaptive and Therapeutic Recreation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKAJAK, Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs, with a secondary code of HLADAIAI, Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors). Its NAICS code is 71394 and its SIC code is 7997.