THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC OFFICE FOR THE DEAF

What THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC OFFICE FOR THE DEAF does

The National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1971 at the International Catholic Deaf Association convention in Baltimore, MD, with a stated mission of partnering with Catholic dioceses and ministries to provide resources serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing Catholics. The organization operates as the recognized national voice for Catholic Deaf ministry in the United States and Canada, working directly with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and participating in the Vatican's synodal process. NCOD is headquartered in Landover Hills, MD, and has been governed by a Board of Directors since 2008.

NCOD's core offerings are faith formation and sacramental preparation content delivered in American Sign Language (ASL), including the first-ever ASL translation of the Catholic Youth Catechism (ASL YouCat, co-developed with the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas), the My First Eucharist six-lesson home preparation program, and the Strengthened in Faith twelve-unit Confirmation program (available in English and Spanish). The organization runs the annual Pastoral Week conference (rotating U.S. locations), the Religious ASL Week professional development program, the Jesus Deaf CREW summer program, the Ministry Formation Program for Deaf adult leaders, and publishes VISION magazine. Underlying delivery is a Wild Apricot-hosted website with member-gated access to recorded webinars with automated captions and ASL interpretation.

NCOD generates revenue through three membership tiers (Executive at $250/year for archdioceses/dioceses, Family at $100/year, Individual at $70/year), a $19.99/year Sacramental Preparation Subscription (content-only, no membership benefits), DVD and manual sales via its online store, and tax-deductible one-time and recurring donations. Distribution relies on a nationwide diocesan referral network (Archdioceses of Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis; Dioceses of Cleveland, Joliet, Rockford, Rochester, Orange, Lansing, Biloxi, Fort Worth, Pittsburgh, and others) that serves as both acquisition channel and local point of contact.

Name

THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC OFFICE FOR THE DEAF

Legal name

National Catholic Office for the Deaf

Website

https://ncod.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Catholic Office for the Deaf is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1971 that provides American Sign Language faith formation, sacramental preparation, and pastoral ministry resources to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Catholics across the United States and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious/Pastoral Ministry Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation) (EDAHAKAE)

Keywords

• Deaf catholic ministry
• Pastoral ministry services
• Sacramental preparation programs
• Religious education ASL
• Faith formation resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Temple Hills

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, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees at three tiers: Executive ($250/year for Archdioceses/dioceses), Family ($100/year for two family members), and Individual ($70/year. Membership renews annually on October 1st and provides access to member-only features including recorded webinars and reduced rates at Pastoral Week.
2. Sacramental Preparation Subscription: $19.99/year subscription for access to sacramental materials including My First Eucharist and Confirmation resources. Does not include NCOD membership benefits.
3. Product Sales (DVDs and Manuals): Sale of Confirmation DVD sets (English and Spanish), Liturgical Signs DVDs, and manuals through the online store. Member pricing available at $5 for DVDs.
4. Donations: Accepts tax-deductible donations as a 501(c)(3) organization. One-time and recurring donation options available (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually). Accepts checks and online donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides pastoral ministry resources, faith formation materials, and sacramental preparation programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Catholics. Its core offerings include the annual Pastoral Week conference, ASL-adapted sacramental preparation curricula (My First Eucharist, Strengthened in Faith Confirmation), the ASL YouCat (the first-ever ASL translation of the Catholic Catechism), and a tiered membership program serving individual Catholics, families, and archdioceses/dioceses across the United States and Canada.

Product overview

The National Catholic Office for the Deaf is a nonprofit membership organization providing pastoral ministry and religious education resources specifically for deaf and hard of hearing Catholics. The organization operates a membership program (with Executive, Family, and Individual tiers) as its primary service delivery mechanism, offering access to online sacramental preparation materials, the ASL YouCat youth catechism, webinars, and reduced rates for the annual Pastoral Week conference. Core products include sacramental preparation programs (My First Eucharist and Strengthened in Faith Confirmation), the ASL YouCat for faith formation, the Ministry Formation Program for online leadership training, the Jesus Deaf CREW summer program for children, and Religious ASL Week for professional development. The organization publishes VISION magazine and hosts the annual Pastoral Week Conference. An online store provides DVDs and manuals for sacramental preparation at member and non-member pricing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NCOD Membership Program Annual membership program offering access to faith formation resources, recorded webinars, member-only content, and reduced registration rates for Pastoral Week conferences. Available at three tiers: Executive ($250/year for Archdioceses/dioceses), Family ($100/year), and Individual ($70/year).
• My First Eucharist Six-lesson comprehensive home preparation program for families preparing Deaf and Hard of Hearing children for First Holy Communion, featuring lesson plans, activities, and an ASL video library with glossary of terms.
• Strengthened in Faith: Confirmation 12-unit program to prepare Deaf/Hard of Hearing individuals for Confirmation, available in English and Spanish with ASL instruction. Includes DVD sets and manual.
• ASL YouCat Youth Catechism translated into American Sign Language, developed in partnership with the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Deaf Ministry. Makes Catholic faith accessible to Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth through ASL video content for RCIA, religious education, and personal faith learning.
• Ministry Formation Program Online program conducted via Zoom to prepare Catholic Deaf adults for leadership roles in the Catholic Church. Requires active church involvement, computer access, spiritual director, and local church mentor.
• Pastoral Week Conference Annual national conference for pastoral workers, interpreters, and lay Catholics involved in Deaf Ministry. Provides professional development, spiritual growth, and networking opportunities. Location rotates annually throughout the United States.
• Webinar Program Online webinar series for members covering topics related to Deaf ministry and catechesis, with features including automated captions and Q&A moderation via ASL interpretation.
• Sacramental Preparation Subscription Electronic access to sacramental materials (My First Eucharist, Confirmation resources) for $19.99/year. Does not include additional NCOD membership benefits such as reduced Pastoral Week rates or Board service eligibility. Renewable on subscription anniversary.
• Online Store Products Physical and digital products including DVD sets (Strengthened in Faith Confirmation in English and Spanish, Liturgical Signs DVD in Spanish) and manuals. Products available at member and non-member pricing.
• VISION Magazine National magazine linking the community of Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons with those who serve them. Published by NCOD as a key member benefit providing ongoing connection and resources to the community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 5.7 million Deaf and Hard of Hearing Catholics

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Deaf MinistrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCOD is a proud sponsor of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Deaf Ministry, which is spearheading the ASL YouCat project - the first-ever translation of the Catechism into American Sign Language. NCOD collaborates on this significant religious education initiative.
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCOD works with USCCB on the synodal process initiated by Pope Francis, gathering information from the Deaf community and presenting it for inclusion in synthesis documents. Also working with USCCB on development of a new pastoral statement on ministry to those with disabilities. Since June 2000, NCOD has sponsored breakfast presentations at USCCB semi-annual meetings.
• International Catholic Deaf Association (ICDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCOD works together with ICDA as a key partner in serving Deaf Catholics. The organization was originally established following the 1971 ICDA convention in Baltimore, MD.
• Archdiocese of Washington, DC Center for Deaf MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCOD moved to the Washington, DC Archdiocesan Catholic Deaf Center location in Landover Hills, MD in September 1995.
• Diocesan Deaf Ministry OfficesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of diocesan offices including: Archdiocese of Boston (Deaf Apostolate), Archdiocese of Chicago (Catholic Office of the Deaf), Archdiocese of Milwaukee (Deaf Apostolate), Archdiocese of St. Louis (Catholic Deaf Ministry), Diocese of Cleveland, Diocese of Joliet (IL), Diocese of Rockford (IL - Deaf Apostolate), Diocese of Rochester (NY), Diocese of Orange (CA), Diocese of Lansing (MI), Diocese of Biloxi (MS), Diocese of Ft. Worth (TX), and many others. These offices serve as local points of contact and distribution for NCOD resources.
• Camp Mark 7minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer camp program for Deaf children. NCOD promotes Camp Mark 7 events and financial assistance may be available through the organization.
• National Deaf CursillominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCOD supports the national Deaf Cursillo Movement and includes information about National Deaf Cursillo events on its Faith Enrichment Events page.
• Ministry Formation Program for Catholic Deaf AdultsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnline program conducted via Zoom to help prepare Catholic Deaf adults for leadership in the Catholic Church. Dr. Ian Robertson is the program director.
• Bishop Lane Retreat Center, Rockford, IllinoisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReligious ASL Week (RASL) program is held at the Bishop Lane Retreat Center in Rockford, Illinois, serving priests, deacons, seminarians, interpreters, and Deaf ASL Lectors.
• National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a network link partner, working toward similar goals of serving persons with disabilities in the Catholic Church.
• International Catholic Foundation for the Service of Deaf PersonsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a network link partner serving Deaf persons internationally.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• EWTN Global Catholic Network: EWTN is the largest Catholic media network in the U.S., producing television, radio, and digital Catholic content. While not Deaf-focused, it is a comparable Catholic content-distribution organization and a potential channel for ASL-dubbed or ASL-produced faith content.
• Catholic Charities USA: Catholic Charities USA is the national umbrella for Catholic social service agencies, including programs serving persons with disabilities. It overlaps with NCOD's mission at the parish/diocesan level but operates as a far broader social services network rather than a Deaf-specialized ministry.
• National Association of the Deaf: The NAD is the premier U.S. civil rights organization for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people, and NCOD was once housed in the NAD building (1981). It is far larger and secular, but addresses overlapping constituency needs (advocacy, ASL access, community building) relevant to NCOD's audience.

Direct peers

• International Catholic Deaf Association: ICDA is NCOD's co-partner in serving Deaf Catholics globally and was the organization whose 1971 Baltimore convention catalyzed NCOD's founding. It operates as the international lay counterpart, running its own conferences and spiritual programs for Deaf Catholics.
• Episcopal Conference of the Deaf: The Episcopal Conference of the Deaf coordinates deaf ministry within the Episcopal/Anglican tradition. It is a directly comparable denomination-specific Deaf ministry organization, mirroring NCOD's structure and mission in a different Christian denomination.
• Xavier Society for the Blind: Xavier Society produces Catholic religious materials in accessible formats (Braille, large print, audio) for blind and print-disabled Catholics. It is structurally analogous to NCOD as a niche Catholic accessibility ministry providing faith content in non-standard formats.
• National Catholic Partnership on Disability: NCPD is the U.S. Catholic Church's broader disability ministry body and is listed as a network link partner of NCOD. It addresses physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, directly comparable in mission (Catholic accessibility ministry) but serving a wider audience than NCOD's Deaf/Hard of Hearing focus.

Peers

• Deaf Ministries at Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod:

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-national-catholic-office-for-the-deaf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC OFFICE FOR THE DEAF