What The Arc of Whatcom County does

The Arc of Whatcom County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, that provides information, education, advocacy, and support programs for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families throughout Whatcom County. Its mission is to improve quality of life, increase independence, and assure full inclusion in the community for persons with developmental disabilities, including those with cerebral palsy, autism, and Down syndrome. The organization serves more than 2,000 individuals and families, delivers a Parent Coalition newsletter reaching 1,800 homes, and logs over 2,600 volunteer hours annually.

The Arc's core "products" are a portfolio of free community programs rather than a technology platform: Parent Coalition (leadership support, advocacy, future planning), Parent-to-Parent (peer mentor matching for families of children with delays or chronic health needs), Self-Advocacy (for young adults ages 16-30), Down Syndrome Outreach, Padres a Padres en Español (Spanish-language family support), Sibshops for siblings, Super Sitter Training, and legislative advocacy at local, state, and federal levels. The organization also fiscally sponsors Whatcom Taking Action (a community-wide partnership for children with special healthcare needs) and supports Partners4Housing, a fee-based housing and benefits navigation service. Delivery occurs at the purpose-built Dan Godwin Community Center (3,000 sq ft, ADA-accessible), via Zoom-based virtual workshops, and through partner locations such as Max Higbee Center and Cordata Park. No proprietary technology systems, APIs, or digital platform underpins service delivery; the model is fundamentally human-led case management, education, and peer support.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack: program grants from government and private sources cover the majority of operating expenses; donations and annual giving (collected via the website and mail) supplement; the Michele Hill Endowment provides a permanent fund whose earned income only is spent; membership dues confer voting rights on the Board of Directors; and Partners4Housing generates modest fee revenue from paid housing and benefits consultations. All direct services to families are free. The organization operates as an independent local chapter of the broader Arc national network, with formal ties to The Arc of Washington State and The Arc of the United States for advocacy coordination and brand alignment, and is governed by an eight-person Board of Directors led by Executive Director Beverly Porter and a 10-person staff.

Name

The Arc of Whatcom County

Legal name

The Arc of Whatcom County

Website

https://arcwhatcom.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Arc of Whatcom County is a Bellingham-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free information, education, advocacy, and family support programs for over 2,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families across Whatcom County, Washington.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Developmental disabilities advocacy
• Family support programs
• Community-based nonprofit
• Disability resource center

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Program Funding: Annual and ongoing expenses are largely met by program grants from government and private sources.
2. Donations and Endowment: The Michele Hill Endowment is a permanent fund from which only earned income is spent. Additional donations come from individuals and organizations through the website and mail.
3. Membership Dues: Annual membership program allows members to vote on Board of Directors and receive newsletters from local, state, and national Arc organizations.
4. Third-Party Programs (Partners4Housing): Partners4Housing offers paid consultation services including Benefits and Housing Review consults covering housing options, Social Security benefits, DSHS services, Section 8, SNAP, and roommate matching.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Arc of Whatcom County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers free information, education, advocacy, and support programs for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in Whatcom County, Washington. Core offerings include Parent Coalition leadership and advocacy, Parent to Parent peer mentoring, Self-Advocacy skill-building for young adults with disabilities, Down Syndrome Outreach, Spanish-language Padres a Padres support, legislative advocacy, and the Partners4Housing housing navigation service, all delivered through workshops, support groups, peer matching, and community events.

Product overview

The Arc of Whatcom County is a non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) providing advocacy, information, and support services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Rather than a technology product, it offers a portfolio of community programs including Parent Coalition, Parent to Parent, Self-Advocacy, Down Syndrome Outreach, Padres a Padres en Español, Whatcom Taking Action, Legislative Advocacy, and Partners4Housing for housing navigation. Additional services include educational workshops on special education and guardianship, Sibshops for siblings, Super Sitter training, and a resource hub with information on disabilities, healthcare, and assistive technology. The organization also provides Virtual Office Hours and application/paperwork drop-in support for navigating government services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Parent Coalition A coalition providing leadership support, advocacy, and resources for persons with developmental disabilities and their parents/guardians to access community services in Whatcom County. Offers workshops, legislative advocacy, family support, future planning assistance, and monthly newsletters.
• Parent to Parent Emotional support and information program connecting families of children with developmental disabilities, delays, and ongoing healthcare needs with trained volunteer parent mentors. Offers support meetings, social events, Sibshops, lending library, and Super Sitter training.
• Self-Advocacy Group program for young adults ages 16-30 with developmental disabilities to develop communication and advocacy skills, build self-confidence, and learn strategies for having their needs acknowledged.
• Down Syndrome Outreach Volunteer committee and program providing information, education, and peer support specifically for families affected by Down syndrome, including events like Buddy Fest and Mom's Night Out.
• Padres a Padres en Español Spanish-language support program offering emotional support and information to Latino families of children with developmental differences, delays, or chronic health needs. Provides community visits, newsletters, and social outreach in Spanish.
• Whatcom Taking Action Community-wide partnership integrating services for healthcare, development, and support for children and youth with special healthcare needs. The Arc serves as the lead fiscal agency.
• Legislative Advocacy Advocacy program keeping families informed on local, state, and national legislative issues affecting individuals with developmental disabilities through Legislative Coffee sessions and monthly e-Alerts.
• Partners4Housing Housing navigation service helping families of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities understand housing options (Adult Family Homes, Supported Living, Shared Living), benefits, and Section 8 programs to secure appropriate living arrangements. Offers paid Benefits and Housing Review consults.
• Workshops & Trainings Educational workshops covering topics such as DDA eligibility, special education, guardianship, housing, transition to adulthood, and future planning for families of individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Sibshops Sibling support program providing peer connections and resources for brothers and sisters of children with developmental disabilities through fun activities and educational workshops.
• Super Sitter Training Training program preparing babysitters to care for children with developmental disabilities, covering safety, communication, and specific needs.
• Resources Hub Online resource hub providing curated links and information on autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, DDA services, education, healthcare, government programs, mental health, recreation, respite care, and assistive technology.
• Dads Social Support group for fathers, grandfathers, and males raising loved ones with developmental disabilities, providing pizza gatherings for peer connection and sharing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families served in Whatcom County
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Whatcom Taking ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhatcom Taking Action is a community-wide partnership integrating services for healthcare, development and support for children and youth with special healthcare needs. The Arc of Whatcom County serves as the lead fiscal agency for Whatcom Taking Action.
• Max Higbee CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMax Higbee Center provides recreation programs for teens and adults with developmental disabilities in Bellingham. The Arc's Self-Advocacy group holds meetings and events including Silent Disco parties at their facility.
• Best Buddies WWUminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBest Buddies is a friendship program for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. The local chapter at Western Washington University runs locally and facilitates peer matches with local college students.
• Special Olympics WashingtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, offering opportunities for physical fitness and community participation.
• Partners4HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA team of professionals working with families of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 30 years, helping navigate complex service agencies and secure housing. Located within The Arc's programs.
• Whatcom Center for Early Learning (WCEL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCEL hosts the Inclusion Festival - a free community-wide celebration focusing on disability pride, neurodiversity, accessibility, inclusion, and belonging.
• Barlean'sminorOthers2016 Smiles of Life Calendar Sponsor and 2016 Signature Sponsor
• PeaceHealthminorOthersHealthcare partner sponsor
• Bellingham Parks and RecreationminorOthers2015 Buddy Walk Sponsor. Partnership for adaptive recreation programs.
• WECUminorOthers2016 Sponsor - local credit union
• Kulshan Supported EmploymentminorOthers2016 Smiles of Life Calendar Sponsor
• The Arc of Washington StatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level advocacy organization. The Arc of Whatcom County participates in Advocacy Days and receives legislative action center resources, Action E-List updates, and Olympia Insider video series.
• The Arc of the United StatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational advocacy organization providing Capitol Insider updates, Public Policy resources, and Action Center for federal legislative issues.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• The Arc of King County: Sister local chapter of The Arc serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in King County, Washington. Directly comparable in mission, program portfolio (information/referral, advocacy, family support, supported decision-making), and chapter-scale operations, in an adjacent but non-overlapping Washington geography.
• Disability Rights Washington: Washington State protection-and-advocacy system providing legal advocacy and rights protection for people with disabilities. Comparable disability-advocacy mission within the same geography, operating as a federally-funded legal advocacy counterpart to The Arc of Whatcom County's family advocacy.
• Special Olympics Washington: Statewide sports training and competition program for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Direct programmatic complement to The Arc of Whatcom County, listed as an active local partner delivering year-round recreation opportunities to shared clients.
• The Arc of Snohomish County: Local Arc chapter serving Snohomish County, Washington with information and referral, advocacy, and family support for individuals with developmental disabilities. Direct programmatic peer operating in an adjacent county in the same state.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals Washington: State affiliate of Easterseals serving people with disabilities and other special needs in Washington through disability services, advocacy, and family support. Overlaps with The Arc of Whatcom County on disability support and family navigation but covers broader disability categories (not just developmental disabilities).
• The Arc of the United States: National umbrella organization for The Arc network, providing federal advocacy, public policy resources, and national programmatic infrastructure to local chapters including The Arc of Whatcom County. Comparable mission and constituency, but operating at national scale.

Direct peers

• The Arc of Washington State: State-level parent chapter of The Arc network that oversees, supports, and coordinates the advocacy agenda for local Washington chapters including The Arc of Whatcom County. Directly comparable network-tier peer offering overlapping disability advocacy, policy, and member services in the same state.
• Parent to Parent USA: National network of Parent to Parent programs that match trained parent mentors with families of children with developmental disabilities, delays, or chronic health needs — directly comparable to The Arc of Whatcom County's Parent to Parent program operating model.

Emerging players

• Best Buddies International: National organization creating one-to-one friendships, employment opportunities, and leadership development for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable beneficiary population and overlap through Western Washington University chapter partnered with The Arc of Whatcom County.

Others

• Washington State Parent Coalition for School Health: Family-led organization supporting families of children and youth with special healthcare needs through information, training, and advocacy within Washington. Shares the family-advocacy lens central to The Arc of Whatcom County's Parent Coalition program, although its focus spans all special healthcare needs rather than developmental disabilities specifically.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@arcwhatcom563
• Facebookfacebook.com/ParenttoParentWhatcom
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-arc-of-whatcom-county

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 of Whatcom County