The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities

What The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities does

The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities is a 1999-founded Illinois non-profit membership association that exclusively serves the intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) service provider community. It is the only Illinois member organization focused exclusively on I/DD, with nearly 60 member organizations that collectively serve more than 35,000 adults and children with I/DD statewide. The organization delivers value through policy advocacy, education, training, networking, and curated vendor access rather than through proprietary technology; its product surface consists of a recurring membership program (six annual member meetings, executive consultations, training, legislative updates, and complimentary access to ANCOR, DDNA, and Open Minds), an annual Executive Summit, member-only training events such as ICAP and Behavioral Health Clinic workshops, and a tiered Partnership Program with named vendors in insurance, pharmacy, software, and risk management.

The Institute is governed by CEO Kathy Carmody, who has held I/DD leadership roles since 1983, including research on the Taylor Institute studies and leadership of the SPICE project (the pilot for Illinois' CILA model), and was elected to the ANCOR national Board of Directors in 2023. Its business model is diversified but small in scale: recurring membership dues, scheduled training fees ($50/registrant for members, $100 for non-members), Executive Summit ticket revenue, and Gold/Silver/Bronze partnership sponsorships. The Institute's competitive position rests on long-standing IDHS relationships, decades of policy expertise, and a closed Illinois network rather than technology or scale advantages, and it has been externally validated by the ANCOR 2022 Diane McComb State Association Star Award and the inaugural 2024 UCP Seguin Champion of Advocacy Award.

Name

The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities

Legal name

The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities

Website

https://instituteonline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities is a 1999-founded Illinois non-profit membership association that exclusively supports ~60 I/DD service providers serving 35,000+ individuals through policy advocacy, education, training, and an annual Executive Summit.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Disability Advocacy Membership Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Disability advocacy services
• Membership association
• Policy advocacy
• Nonprofit education
• Disability services support

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees connecting Illinois-based disability service organizations to resources, education, advocacy, and networking. Membership includes access to 6 member meetings annually, training, professional development, legislative updates, and complimentary access to ANCOR, DDNA, and Open Minds national organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Institute is a non-profit membership association that delivers education, advocacy, and resources to nearly 60 Illinois-based disability service provider organizations supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Core offerings include an annual membership program with six member meetings, member-only trainings and Communities of Practice, the annual Executive Summit, policy advocacy and representation with state agencies (notably IDHS) and national bodies such as ANCOR, and individual consultation with the CEO on member-specific issues.

Product overview

The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities is a non-profit membership organization (not a technology product company) that provides advocacy, education, resources, and networking services to approximately 60 Illinois-based disability service provider organizations. The core offerings consist of a Membership Program delivering 6 annual meetings, training sessions, and consultation; the annual Executive Summit event; and policy advocacy representation at state and national levels. The Institute supports member organizations serving over 35,000 adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Illinois through legislative updates, Communities of Practice, and pilot program opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Program Annual membership program for Illinois-based disability service organizations, delivering six member meetings per year, member-only trainings, professional development, legislative updates, networking, Communities of Practice, and complimentary access to ANCOR, DDNA, and Open Minds.
• Education and Training Services

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered gold partner, silver partner, bronze partner and core partner.

• Givgold partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Giv is an all-in-one IDD software built from the ground up for agencies. It seamlessly integrates scheduling, billing, payroll, health records, medication records, and more into a single platform. Offers mobile-friendly view for DSPs and desktop experience for administrative teams.
• Lamb Insurance Servicesgold partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026A commercial insurance brokerage dedicated to partnering with social service, human service, and non-profit organizations exclusively. With over 20 years of experience, they provide unique and leveraged insurance carrier relationships solutions for social service organizations, with deep focus in the I/DD world.
• NHRMAgold partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Partner organization providing services to the I/DD community (details forthcoming).
• Tarrytown Expocare Pharmacygold partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026A pharmacy serving the IDD community providing simple and seamless medication management for nurses and DSPs while delivering executive-level data to support quality care and informed decision-making. Helps reduce costs, streamline operations, and scale effortlessly.
• StationMDsilver partnerTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Healthcare technology partner offering services to I/DD service providers (via The BICO Lab collaborative).
• Horton Groupsilver partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Non-profit client appreciation and professional services partner offering events and resources for I/DD organizations.
• Conner Strong (CSB)silver partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Insurance and risk management partner serving non-profit organizations.
• Nonstop Healthbronze partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Healthcare-focused partner providing services relevant to the I/DD community.
• ANCOR (American Network of Community Options and Resources)core partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing Institute members with complimentary access. Institute CEO serves on ANCOR Board of Directors and Leadership Development Committee, ensuring Illinois voice on important issues and decision-makers at the federal level. Kathy Carmody was elected to ANCOR national board of directors in 2023.
• DDNA (Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association)core partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nursing organization providing Institute members with complimentary access for professional development in the I/DD nursing field.
• Open Mindscore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing Institute members with complimentary access to industry expertise and market intelligence.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Broad incumbents

• ANCOR (American Network of Community Options and Resources): National trade association representing I/DD service providers. Directly comparable as a peer association, but at the national level; the Institute's CEO sits on its board and Institute members receive complimentary ANCOR access.
• The Arc of the United States: National disability advocacy and direct-service organization serving people with I/DD. Comparable mission and I/DD focus, but operates nationally and across both advocacy and direct services rather than as a state-level provider association.
• AAIDD (American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities): National professional association for the I/DD field, publishing research and offering credentialing. Comparable as a membership/advocacy body serving I/DD professionals, but at the national academic/research layer.
• National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS): Association of state I/DD agency directors. Comparable as a peer association in the I/DD policy ecosystem, but representing government agencies rather than provider organizations.

Direct peers

• OPEN MINDS: Market intelligence and advisory firm serving I/DD and behavioral health provider organizations. Listed as a national resource partner to the Institute; comparable in serving the same provider audience with expertise and education.

Emerging players

• Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL): Accreditation and training organization for I/DD and behavioral health providers. Comparable as an education/quality-focused organization serving I/DD providers, though focused on accreditation rather than state policy.

Others

• National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): National network of federally funded disability rights advocacy organizations. Comparable as a disability advocacy organization, though focused on legal/individual advocacy rather than provider association services.

Regional players

• UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) Seguin of Greater Chicago: Illinois-based I/DD service provider and advocacy organization. Comparable as an Illinois I/DD ecosystem player and past awarder of the Institute's 2024 Champion of Advocacy Award; operates direct services rather than association services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-institute-org
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities