The Arc Portland Metro

What The Arc Portland Metro does

The Arc Portland Metro is a 501(c)-equivalent nonprofit organization founded in 1953 that provides programs, education, advocacy, and thrift-based work experiences for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families across Washington, Multnomah, and Clackamas Counties in Oregon. It operates as a local affiliate chapter of The Arc of the United States and The Arc Oregon, and is led by Executive Director Kelly Thran with a four-member board.

The organization's service portfolio is organized around social programs, retail social enterprises, and advocacy. Core programs include Club Impact (a 15+ year monthly social program at the Hollywood Senior Center offering Bingo Night, Dance Night, and Birthday & Game Night for adults with I/DD), Club Mosaic (a free monthly art program at Clackamas Town Center and Washington Square Mall), Voices of Change (self-advocacy training), Summer Walk and Roll, Birding with The Arc (in partnership with Bird Alliance of Oregon), and the annual Summer Blast event. The Thrift Boutique at 8304 SE Stark Street and the Donation Center at 6929 NE Halsey Street function as dual social enterprises, with donation collection, resale, and certified Oregon E-Cycles electronics recycling, alongside an eBay storefront for online sales. Technology is not a focus; operations run on a standard website, email, Instagram, and calendar subscription tools.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit structure combining tax-deductible donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors (CommuniCare, Care Oregon, Multnomah County Cultural Coalition, RACC, Oregon Metro) with earned revenue from thrift retail, e-commerce, and minimal program fees ($5 Club Impact, $5-$15 Walk and Roll, $10 Summer Blast). Most programs are delivered free or at cost-recovery pricing, with volunteer labor supporting daily operations. The go-to-market model is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth, partner referrals, and community events rather than paid acquisition.

Name

The Arc Portland Metro

Legal name

The Arc Portland Metro

Website

https://thearcpdx.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Arc Portland Metro is a 70-year-old nonprofit serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families across three Oregon counties, delivering social programs, art clubs, advocacy, and resource navigation, funded by donations, a thrift boutique, and a donation center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy and Community Inclusion Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Integration & Travel Training (Public Transportation Navigation) (EDAKANAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

School Transition & Independent Living Skills (OT) (EDAKAFAK)

Keywords

• Disability advocacy services
• Developmental disability programs
• Nonprofit social services
• Thrift retail operations
• Community inclusion programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors support the organization's operations and programs.
2. Thrift Boutique Sales: The organization operates a thrift boutique selling donated items at affordable prices, generating revenue to fund programs for people with I/DD.
3. Donation Center Operations: Accepts donated goods, resells usable items through the thrift boutique, and redirects unsold items to nonprofit partners or recycling programs.
4. Program Fees: Minimal program fees support specific activities: Club Impact charges $5 entry, Summer Blast charges $10, and Walk and Roll events charge $5-15. Many programs are free.
5. E-commerce Sales: Items sold through eBay online store, reaching buyers beyond the local Portland area.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Arc Portland Metro is a nonprofit organization that has operated for 70+ years supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families in the Portland Metro area. It delivers social programs (Club Impact, Club Mosaic), advocacy and resource navigation, accessibility-focused community events, and operates a Thrift Boutique and Donation Center whose proceeds fund programs while providing skill-building opportunities.

Product overview

The Arc Portland Metro is a nonprofit organization that has operated for over 70 years supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. The organization offers a portfolio of programs and services including Club Impact (a social program with monthly events like Bingo Night, Dance Night, and Birthday & Game Night), Club Mosaic (art programs with monthly meetups at mall food courts), a Thrift Boutique retail store, a Donation Center accepting and recycling donated goods, volunteer programs, a resource guide, and various events including Summer Walk and Roll, Voices of Change advocacy meetings, and the annual Summer Blast celebration. The organization also hosts educational classes each month. The revenue-generating thrift store and donation center help fund essential programs for people with I/DD while providing meaningful skill-building opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Club Impact: A social program for adults in the Intellectual and Developmental Disability (I/DD) community providing opportunities to meet new friends, hang out, and enjoy fun activities together in a safe, supportive space.
• Club Mosaic
• Thrift Boutique
• The Arc Donation & Recycling Center

Products and services

• Club Impact

Quantifiable outcome

• Club Impact has been providing social programming for over 15 years
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CommuniCareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a supporter of The Arc Portland Metro, contributing to funding and visibility of programs.
• Care OregonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare organization listed as a supporter, contributing to the organization's funding base.
• Multnomah County Cultural CoalitionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural funding organization supporting arts and cultural programming through The Arc's Club Mosaic art programs.
• Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerArts funding body supporting The Arc's art programming and creative initiatives.
• Oregon MetrominorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional government agency listed as a supporter of The Arc Portland Metro's community programs.
• Bird Alliance of OregonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for accessible birding experiences. Co-hosts free, wheelchair-accessible birding outings at local wetlands. Provides educational programming and outdoor recreation opportunities.
• The Arc of the United StatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational parent organization providing advocacy support, resources, and brand affiliation for the local Portland Metro chapter.
• The Arc OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level parent organization connecting local chapter to state-wide advocacy efforts and resources.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/thearcthriftpdx?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-arc-portland-metro

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 The Arc Portland Metro