MARC, Inc. of Manchester

What MARC, Inc. of Manchester does

MARC, Inc. of Manchester is a 501(c)(3)-style nonprofit organization founded in the early 1950s (approximately 1952) by Vera Kenneally and a group of parents to create opportunities for their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The organization, headquartered at 151 Sheldon Road in Manchester, Connecticut, delivers a coordinated portfolio of services to 265 adults with IDD in the CT DDS North Region, spanning day services (Monday-Friday, 8 AM-2 PM), employment support via the Individualized Supported Employment program, residential services across 30 managed locations, recreation, transportation coordination, and assistive technology (AT) peer mentoring. Specialized vocational pipelines include Project SEARCH (a 9-month workplace internship program, hosted at Hartford Hospital where participants completed 6,026 internship hours in a recent cohort), the 16-week Vocational Enhanced Transition (VET) Program launched in 2024, and an Independent Living Center serving ~30 individuals weekly. Advocacy and self-development capabilities include the Voices For Change self-advocacy group and an Ambassador Program.

The business model is built on a fee-for-service structure with the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (CT DDS) as the principal funder and gatekeeper for referrals—individuals ages 22+ must be DDS-referred to access services. The organization supplements this contracted revenue with a fundraising engine consisting of three signature annual events (Rockin' Bowl-A-Thon, Summer Concert Series, 26th-and-counting Annual Charity Golf Tournament) and corporate sponsorships (Pratt & Whitney as presenting concert sponsor, PeoplesBank, Cox Communications, ECHN, Hartford HealthCare, Mike's Golf Outlet, and others). In 2024, nearly $500,000 was raised across all fundraisers and donations. The organization has no disclosed parent company, private equity, or venture capital ownership; it is governed by a Board of Directors with Meaghan Sprague as Chair and Kevin Zingler as President & CEO. Technology assets are confined to internal donor and employee portals; no public-facing APIs, AI/ML capabilities, or proprietary software products are documented.

Name

MARC, Inc. of Manchester

Legal name

MARC Inc. of Manchester

Website

https://marcct.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Short description

MARC, Inc. of Manchester is a nonprofit founded in 1952 that provides residential, vocational, day, transportation, and assistive-technology services to 265 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Connecticut's DDS North Region under a fee-for-service contract with the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Special Needs Transportation (485991), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs (EDAKAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM), Accessible (ADA) & Special-Needs Group Charters (THAIAIAK)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Developmental disability care
• Supported employment services
• Residential group homes
• Day program services

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. CT DDS Fee-for-Service: MARC operates as a fee-for-service provider contracted by the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services. Individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, ages 22 and up, who have been referred by CT DDS are eligible for services.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The organization raises funds through donations and three signature fundraising events annually: Rockin' Bowl-A-Thon, Summer Concert Series, and Annual Golf Tournament. In 2024, nearly $500,000 was raised from all fundraisers and donations.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Local businesses and organizations sponsor MARC events such as the Summer Concert Series (Pratt & Whitney as presenting sponsor) and Golf Tournament (Tzedakah House as presenting sponsor).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

MARC, Inc. of Manchester is a nonprofit organization that provides residential, vocational, day, recreation, transportation, and assistive technology services for adults (ages 22 and up) with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the Connecticut DDS North Region. All individuals must be referred by the CT Department of Developmental Services to access services, and services are funded via DDS fee-for-service contracts, supplemented by donations, fundraising events, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

MARC, Inc. of Manchester offers a coordinated portfolio of services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The core programs include Day Services (operating weekdays 8 AM-2 PM), Employment Services (Individualized Supported Employment with job coaching), Residential Services (managing 30 residential locations), Recreation, and Transportation. Key specialized programs include Project SEARCH (9-month workplace internships), the VET (Vocational Enhanced Transition) Program (16-week classroom plus internship course), and Supportive Technology services including Assistive Technology (AT) peer mentoring and an Independent Living Center (ILC) providing hands-on training. Additional programs include the self-advocacy group Voices For Change, the Ambassador Program for leadership development, and MARC Matters (a talk show produced since 1999). The organization also provides online portals for donors and employees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Day Services Structured weekday day program (Monday–Friday, 8 AM to 2 PM) providing activities, daily-living support, AT training and person-centered programming for adults (22+) with intellectual and developmental disabilities referred by CT DDS.
• Employment Services (Individualized Supported Employment / ISE) Individualized Supported Employment program providing job coaches and job developers who place adults with IDD into competitive employment with host employers (Pratt & Whitney, Travelers Insurance, Mike's Golf Outlet, Hartford Hospital, local libraries and others), gradually fading support over time.
• Residential Services Housing and daily living support across 30 managed residential locations for adults (22+) with intellectual and developmental disabilities, contracted through CT DDS.
• Recreation Program Recreational activities including a bowling league, parties, picnics, and community outings designed to foster inclusion and social engagement for adults with IDD served by MARC.
• Transportation Services Coordination of transportation options including ADA Paratransit and grant-funded bussing for Glastonbury residents beyond the ADA Paratransit service area, enabling program access for individuals served.
• Supportive Technology / Assistive Technology Services Assistive Technology services providing AT training and support to help adults with IDD increase independence and communication abilities. AT peer mentors educate individuals and stakeholders (including government officials) on how assistive technology — including speech-generating devices and other communication tools — supports independence.
• Project SEARCH Nine-month internship program held entirely in the workplace that provides students with disabilities real-world experience in a supportive setting, helping them transition into competitive employment. Host internship site: Hartford Hospital.
• Vocational Enhanced Transition (VET) Program Intensive 16-week vocational program combining classroom learning with personalized hands-on internships to prepare adults with IDD for competitive employment. Eight students have graduated since launch.
• Independent Living Center (ILC) Apartment located near MARC's main office at 151 Sheldon Road, Manchester, CT, providing hands-on daily living and assistive technology training to about 30 individuals each week.

Quantifiable outcome

• 265 individuals served with IDD
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and supporting.

• Town of ManchestercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing community support and collaboration for individuals with IDD.
• Town of VernoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in the DDS North Region serving individuals with IDD.
• Town of South WindsorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner serving individuals with IDD in the region.
• Town of GlastonburycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner; MARC provides grant-funded bussing to Glastonbury residents beyond ADA Paratransit service area.
• CT DDS (Connecticut Department of Developmental Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government partner that provides referrals and funding for individuals with IDD to access MARC services.
• Pratt & WhitneyflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the Summer Concert Series. Historic employer of MARC individuals. Has provided long-term employment opportunities.
• PeoplesBankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Summer Concert Series and community supporter.
• Cox CommunicationsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Summer Concert Series.
• Greater Hartford Gives FoundationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation partner providing philanthropic support.
• Tzedakah HouseflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the 26th Annual Charity Golf Tournament (2025), raising over $80,000.
• CTHFAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting MARC's mission.
• Hartford HealthCare / Hartford HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKingpin sponsor of the 2026 Rockin' Bowl-A-Thon. Project SEARCH internship site where participants completed 6,026 hours of internships.
• Goodwin UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted Project SEARCH graduation ceremony honoring participant accomplishments.
• Bain CapitalsupportingOthersDonated three tractor trailers of furniture to furnish MARC residential homes, with logistics coordinated by Bob's Discount Furniture.
• Hall of Fame Silver LanesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue host for the Rockin' Bowl-A-Thon events, enabling community fundraising.
• Spare Time VernonsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBowl-A-Thon venue partner helping create energetic atmosphere for individuals served.
• Mike's Golf OutletflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2025 Inclusive Business Employer. Employs individuals with disabilities who have become the backbone of operations. Recognized during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
• Greater Manchester Chamber of CommercemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJacob, MARC's AT Mentor, was appointed as the first individual from the IDD community to serve as a Chamber Ambassador in the organization's 125-year history.
• Highland Park MarketsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated lanes at the 2026 Rockin' Bowl-A-Thon, enabling individuals to participate alongside community members.
• Teddy's Oil and Energy LLCsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated lanes at the 2026 Rockin' Bowl-A-Thon.
• TankworkssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated lanes at the 2026 Rockin' Bowl-A-Thon.
• Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Summer Concert Series.
• Trinks Brothers OilsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Summer Concert Series.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Volunteers of America: National nonprofit providing a wide spectrum of services including housing, behavioral health, and disability services — adjacent incumbent whose IDD programs operate at scale MARC cannot match but reference comparable donor/volunteer-supported service models.
• Mosaic: National faith-based nonprofit providing residential, day, and employment services to people with IDD across multiple states — broader incumbent comparable to MARC in mission and service mix, but operating at significantly greater scale.
• BrightSpring Health Services: Large publicly traded provider of home and community-based services including IDD supports — broader incumbent that competes for the same Medicaid waiver-funded IDD population and represents the kind of scaled operator MARC could not easily compete with on cost.
• The Arc of the United States: National federation supporting a network of state and local Arc chapters serving IDD populations — broader incumbent that MARC's local chapter affiliate engages with, and that shapes federal/state IDD policy affecting MARC's funding.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit operating a broad portfolio of disability services including employment, residential, and rehabilitation across the U.S. — adjacent incumbent that overlaps with MARC in employment services and AT, but at national scale.

Direct peers

• LifeBridge Community Services: CT-based nonprofit serving individuals with developmental disabilities and other special needs through residential, day, employment, and recreation programs — directly comparable service portfolio and DDS funding model.
• Kennedy Center (CT): Trumbull, CT-based nonprofit providing residential, vocational, day, and behavioral health services to people with IDD — directly comparable in size, service breadth, and reliance on CT DDS.
• Ability Beyond: CT/NY-based nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, and clinical services to individuals with IDD and autism — directly comparable multi-state IDD operator with overlapping service lines and similar funding mix.
• SARAH Inc. Connecticut-based nonprofit providing residential, day, employment, and family support services for individuals with IDD in Guilford and surrounding towns — a direct comparable operating under the same CT DDS referral model with a similar service mix.
• The Arc Connecticut: State chapter of The Arc of the United States serving Connecticut families and individuals with IDD through advocacy and direct services — comparable mission, geography, and DDS-aligned programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@marcct
• Facebookfacebook.com/marcincct
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marc-inc--of-manchester
• Instagraminstagram.com/marcincofmanchester

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about MARC, Inc. of Manchester