The Arc of Buncombe County
The Arc of Buncombe County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1957 that delivers free crisis assistance, housing support, advocacy, and enrichment programs to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Western North Carolina.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1957
- HeadquartersAsheville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Arc of Buncombe County does
The Arc of Buncombe County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1957 and headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina. It provides free support services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) — including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and FASD — and to their families and caregivers across Buncombe County and the surrounding Western North Carolina region. Its service portfolio spans eight core programs: Crisis Intervention (emergency financial assistance paid directly to vendors for rent, utilities, groceries, medications, medical equipment, and transportation), the Hope & Healing Housing Assistance Program (administered under a Vaya Health partnership covering 19 Hurricane Helene-impacted NC counties), FASD Awareness and education, Operation Santa (annual holiday gift and meal support), Summer Camp Scholarships, Parent Advocacy across medical/legal/educational domains, Social Enrichment programs, and a Health and Wellness initiative delivered in schools and daycares.
The organization operates with a deliberately lean three-person staff (Executive Director Linda McDaniel, Executive Assistant Joyce Tweed, Program Administrator Sarah Cain) supported by an 11-member volunteer Board of Directors that includes community professionals and disability advocates. From a technology standpoint, The Arc is a service-delivery organization rather than a technology platform: it uses JotForm for online screening and application intake, Squarespace for website management, and PayPal/Stripe for donation processing. There is no proprietary technology stack, no in-house product engineering, and no AI tooling deployed. Services are accessed through online application portals, direct phone/email intake, walk-in consultations, and an extensive referral network of partner agencies (ABCCM, DSS, Eblen Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, Asheville City Schools, Head Start, Project SEARCH, Bloom Fitness, Proof Alliance NC).
The business model is a donation-and-grant-funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All services are free to eligible I/DD individuals and families; The Arc charges no fees. Revenue is sourced from individual donations (including a recurring "$25 on the 25th" monthly giving campaign), corporate and foundation grants (Community Foundation of WNC, Dogwood Health Trust, Vaya Health, Asheville ABC Board), annual memberships ($25 cash / $26.50 online), corporate event sponsorships, and program-specific funding (e.g., Hope & Healing via Vaya Health). The organization notably receives no local, state, or federal core government funding — a structural choice that delivers agility but also concentrates revenue risk on private philanthropy. The Arc is affiliated with The Arc of North Carolina (founded 1953) and The Arc of the United States, providing it national advocacy infrastructure while preserving local operational autonomy. Fundraising is event-driven (Spring Fling in May, Annual Meeting in June, Harvest of Hope in September) and supported by a monthly newsletter, social media, and partner-driven referral.
The Arc of Buncombe County firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Arc of Buncombe County
- Legal name
- The Arc of Buncombe County
- Website
- https://arcofbuncombecounty.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1957
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Arc of Buncombe County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1957 that delivers free crisis assistance, housing support, advocacy, and enrichment programs to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Western North Carolina.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Arc of Buncombe County industry classification
Industry- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Individual and Family Services (6241)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)
Keywords
Where The Arc of Buncombe County is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Asheville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Arc of Buncombe County business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: The primary revenue stream comes from individual donors who make one-time or recurring donations. The organization promotes monthly giving through the '$25 on the 25th' campaign and accepts donations via PayPal and other channels.
- Corporate/Foundation Grants and Sponsorships: Grants from foundations including Community Foundation of WNC, Dogwood Health Trust, VAYA Health, Asheville ABC Board, and others. Corporate sponsors support specific events and programs.
- Annual Membership Fees: Annual membership is offered at $25 (cash/check) or $26.50 (online), providing community involvement opportunities and supporting organizational sustainability.
- Program-Specific Funding: Specialized funding for programs like Hope & Healing (Vaya Health partnership for housing assistance), summer camp scholarships, and Operation Santa holiday assistance. The organization does not receive local, state, or federal core funding.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free services for eligible I/DD individuals and families |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Arc of Buncombe County product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Arc of Buncombe County provides free crisis financial assistance, advocacy, and community programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families in Western North Carolina. Core services include emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, groceries, medications, medical equipment, and transportation; housing support through the Hope & Healing Hurricane Helene recovery partnership with Vaya Health; parent advocacy across medical, legal, educational, and legislative domains; FASD awareness education; Operation Santa holiday assistance; summer camp scholarships; and social enrichment and wellness activities.
Product overview
The Arc of Buncombe County is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. The organization operates as a unified service platform rather than a technology product company, providing crisis intervention assistance, housing support, advocacy programs, educational awareness initiatives, and enrichment activities. Key programs include the Crisis Intervention Program for emergency financial assistance, the Hope & Healing Housing Assistance Program (a Vaya Health partnership for Hurricane Helene recovery), the FASD Awareness Program for prevention education, Operation Santa for holiday support, Summer Camp Scholarships for specialized camps, Parent Advocacy services spanning medical/legal/educational/activism domains, Social Enrichment Programs for community connection, and Health and Wellness Initiatives promoting nutrition and mindfulness. These services are delivered directly to clients without a technology platform component.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 857 individuals reached through Crisis Assistance in one fiscal year
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Arc of Buncombe County
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
The Arc of Buncombe County technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Arc of Buncombe County partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Vaya HealthcoreThe Arc partners with Vaya Health to administer the Hope & Healing Hurricane Recovery Housing Assistance Program. Funded by Vaya Health, this program provides housing assistance (rent, mortgage, utilities) to eligible Vaya Health members with I/DD residing in 19 designated Hurricane Helene-impacted NC counties. The Arc serves as program administrator, expanding its reach to connect more individuals with critical housing resources.
- The Arc of North CarolinacoreState-level parent organization providing advocacy, resources, and network support for local Arc chapters. The Arc of NC was founded in 1953 and influences legislative appropriations for I/DD services, launched first corporate guardianship services in the state, and develops community-based housing options.
- Asheville High SchoolminorPartnership to support life skills and wellness in Exceptional Children classrooms. The Arc helped purchase a freezer enabling hands-on nutrition and healthy living lessons, with students able to take food home to families.
- Project SEARCH (Arc of NC-Asheville)minorNine-month internship program providing young adults with I/DD with meaningful, real-world work experience with focus on employment skills. The Arc supports outreach and student participation.
- Head Start / Community Action OpportunitiesminorPartnership supporting early identification and connection to services for children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Head Start serves children ages 3-5 from limited-income families.
- Asheville City SchoolsminorCollaboration to support families through the special education process, attend school-based meetings as advocates, and help families secure educational support and resources.
- St. Vincent de PaulminorCommunity partner for housing assistance and crisis support, collaborating with The Arc to help families in need including down payment assistance for housing.
- HARK (Henderson County)minorHenderson County social services agency that refers clients to The Arc and collaborates on housing assistance for I/DD families.
- Bloom FitnessminorFitness organization serving individuals with I/DD through yoga, Pilates, cycling, strength, dance, and chair fitness. Founder John Watson serves on The Arc Board. Bloom partners with multiple WNC organizations serving I/DD community.
- Proof Alliance NCminorState organization for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders awareness and education. The Arc partners with Proof Alliance NC for FASD training and education initiatives.
- AB TechminorLocal community college hosting The Arc's Annual Meeting events and Listening Sessions with The Arc of NC. Board member Kelli Tinsley is affiliated with AB Tech.
- Shamika Howard / Vaya HealthminorCertified FASD Trainer through Proof Alliance NC providing free trainings across North Carolina. Dedicated supporter who volunteers at Arc events.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Arc of Buncombe County competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Arc of the United States: National federation organization with chapters in nearly every state. Comparable mission and I/DD advocacy focus, but operates at scale with national policy influence and a much broader programmatic portfolio.
- Easterseals: Large national nonprofit serving individuals with disabilities through direct services, advocacy, and employment programs. Comparable broad mission targeting people with disabilities (including I/DD), but operates at far greater scale nationally.
Regional players
- ABCCM (Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry): Local faith-based social services nonprofit providing crisis assistance, shelter, and food in Buncombe County. Comparable as a regional safety-net partner serving overlapping client populations facing housing and financial instability.
- Eblen Charities: Asheville-based nonprofit providing emergency assistance (rent, utilities, medications) to families in crisis. Directly comparable as a regional crisis-assistance partner; the two organizations frequently co-serve Buncombe County clients.
- St. Vincent de Paul Asheville: Community-services partner in Buncombe County providing housing, utility, and emergency assistance. Comparable as a regional crisis-response collaborator for low-income and vulnerable households, including I/DD families.
Emerging players
- Disability Rights NC: Statewide protection and advocacy organization for people with disabilities, offering legal advocacy and rights protection. Comparable advocacy function but specialized in legal/rights work rather than direct crisis and family services.
- Vaya Health: NC managed care organization serving individuals with I/DD and behavioral health needs. Comparable as a critical ecosystem partner (and Hope & Healing funder) for I/DD service delivery; fundamentally different model as a publicly-funded managed care entity.
Direct peers
- The Arc of Mecklenburg County: Another NC-based local Arc chapter serving a different county. Most directly comparable in size, geographic scope, and service mix to Buncombe County's Arc, with similar advocacy and direct service programs.
- The Arc of North Carolina: The state-level parent chapter of the Arc federation, founded in 1953. Directly comparable as it provides advocacy, guardianship, and housing programming to the I/DD community across NC, with similar mission, funding model, and programmatic approach.
- The Arc of Wake County: Sister Arc chapter serving Wake County, NC. Comparable structure and programmatic portfolio including advocacy, support coordination, and I/DD family services through the same national federation model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Arc of Buncombe County social profiles
Digital presenceThe Arc of Buncombe County financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Arc of Buncombe County leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Arc of Buncombe County funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Arc of Buncombe County 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 The Arc of Buncombe County
What does The Arc of Buncombe County do?
The Arc of Buncombe County provides free crisis financial assistance, advocacy, and community programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families in Western North Carolina. Core services include emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, groceries, medications, medical equipment, and transportation; housing support through the Hope & Healing Hurricane Helene recovery partnership with Vaya Health; parent advocacy across medical, legal, educational, and legislative domains; FASD awareness education; Operation Santa holiday assistance; summer camp scholarships; and social enrichment and wellness activities.
Is The Arc of Buncombe County a public or private company?
The Arc of Buncombe County is a private company. It is currently operating.
When was The Arc of Buncombe County founded?
The Arc of Buncombe County was founded in 1957. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Arc of Buncombe County based?
The Arc of Buncombe County is headquartered in Asheville, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Arc of Buncombe County make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate/Foundation Grants and Sponsorships, annual Membership Fees and program-Specific Funding.
Who are The Arc of Buncombe County's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Arc of the United States and Easterseals. Regional players are ABCCM (Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry), Eblen Charities and St. Vincent de Paul Asheville. Emerging players are Disability Rights NC and Vaya Health. Direct peers are The Arc of Mecklenburg County, The Arc of North Carolina and The Arc of Wake County.
Does The Arc of Buncombe County have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Arc of Buncombe County.
What industry is The Arc of Buncombe County in?
Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support. Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8300.