Independence Alliance
Independence Alliance is a 501(c)(3) Center for Independent Living in Cincinnati providing advocacy, independent living skills, peer support, youth transition, housing, and arts services to people with disabilities across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, funded primarily by federal and state grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersCincinnati, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Independence Alliance does
Independence Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living (CIL) founded in 1977 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and rebranded from CILO to Independence Alliance in July 2024. It is the oldest independent living center in Ohio and is governed, managed, and staffed by a majority of professionals with disabilities, consistent with the federally established consumer-control model created under Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The organization serves individuals with physical, sensory, cognitive, and/or psychological disabilities across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky through seven core service lines: Disability Rights and Advocacy, Independent Living Skills, Peer Support, Information and Referral, Youth Transition Services (ages 14-24, including Pre-Employment Transition Services with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities), Housing Programs (delivered via HUD-mandated Coordinated Entry), and Arts Programming (Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery). It also distributes Low Vision Aids as an ancillary assistive-equipment program.
The organization operates a hub-and-spoke service model: in-person and Zoom sessions at its Cincinnati headquarters and Northern Kentucky office, in-school programs for youth transition, and community-based group sessions including monthly Accessibility & Brews networking events. Marketing is community-led — peer referrals, partner referrals from schools and housing agencies, a monthly email newsletter, and a resources hub linking 50+ partner organizations. There is no proprietary technology platform; the organization functions as a human-services delivery operation.
Independence Alliance is funded primarily by federal and state government grants from HHS/Administration for Community Living, HUD, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, Kentucky Housing Corporation, and Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living, with secondary revenue from individual donations accepted via PayPal, Venmo, check, and the Kroger Community Rewards program. All core services are provided free of charge to eligible consumers based on self-identification of disability, with some ancillary services requiring additional documentation.
Independence Alliance firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Independence Alliance
- Legal name
- Independence Alliance
- Website
- https://cilo.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Independence Alliance is a 501(c)(3) Center for Independent Living in Cincinnati providing advocacy, independent living skills, peer support, youth transition, housing, and arts services to people with disabilities across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, funded primarily by federal and state grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Independence Alliance industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Services / Independent Living
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Child and Youth Services (624110)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH), College Readiness & Disability Services Transition Support (EDAKANAB)
Keywords
Where Independence Alliance is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cincinnati
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Independence Alliance business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Grants and Funding: Primary funding from federal and state government agencies including the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (Administration for Community Living), U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, Kentucky Housing Corporation, and Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living.
- Donations and Contributions: Accepts tax-deductible cash donations via PayPal, Venmo, and check. Kroger Community Rewards program allows community members to contribute while shopping. All donors receive acknowledgement letters.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Independence Alliance product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Independence Alliance is a 501(c)(3) Center for Independent Living that delivers cross-disability services to people with physical, sensory, cognitive, and/or psychological disabilities in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. It provides five federally mandated core services (Disability Rights and Advocacy, Independent Living Skills, Peer Support, Information and Referral, and Youth Transition Services) plus Housing Programs and Arts Programming through the Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery. Services are provided free of charge to eligible individuals based on self-identification of disability.
Product overview
Independence Alliance is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that operates as a Center for Independent Living (CIL), providing services for people with physical, sensory, cognitive, and/or psychological disabilities. The organization offers seven core services: Disability Rights and Advocacy, Independent Living Skills, Peer Support, Information and Referral, Youth Transition Services, Housing Programs, and Arts Programming. These services are designed to empower people with disabilities to lead independent and inclusive lives. The Arts Programming includes the Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery sub-brand for exhibiting and promoting artists with disabilities. Additionally, the organization provides ancillary services such as Low Vision Aids for eligible individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Art Beyond Boundaries: An exhibition gallery operated by Independence Alliance that focuses on promoting creative expression and raising awareness of the talents of artists with disabilities.
Products and services
- Disability Rights and Advocacy Empowers individuals with disabilities to speak for themselves through self-advocacy training and works toward broader policy shifts through systemic advocacy to create a barrier-free and accessible society. Delivered to consumers with disabilities in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
- Independent Living Skills Teaches essential life skills for self-reliance covering budgeting, cooking, personal care, transportation, communication, and job readiness through personalized one-on-one or group sessions for people with disabilities.
- Peer Support Provides opportunities for people with disabilities to share knowledge, experience, and practical help with one another, guiding them toward independent living goals through one-on-one or group sessions, including specialized groups such as Emotional Wellness and Parents with Disabilities.
- Information and Referral Responds to inquiries through phone calls, emails, and the website, connecting people to appropriate team members and specific resources across a network of more than 50 partner organizations in housing, employment, health, and disability services.
- Youth Transition Services Supports youth with disabilities ages 14 to 24 in preparing for transition to adulthood through individualized skills training in self-advocacy, education, employment, and independent living, including Pre-Employment Transition Services in partnership with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities.
- Housing Programs Provides lease-based, affordable rental options and integrated support services in Ohio and Northern Kentucky through the HUD-mandated Coordinated Entry System, assisting consumers with disability benefits, employment, and public access.
- Arts Programming Supports aspiring artists with disabilities to develop artistic skills and market their art through the Art Beyond Boundaries exhibition gallery, promoting creative expression and raising awareness of the talents of artists with disabilities.
- Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery Exhibition gallery that advocates for artists with disabilities, engages diverse audiences, and develops relationships with community partners. Operated by Independence Alliance under its Arts Programming core service.
- Low Vision Aids Provides low vision aids for mobility and navigation, computer access, reading, and daily living for people who are blind or visually impaired. Delivered as an ancillary service under Independence Alliance's vision grant program.
Companies that use Independence Alliance
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Independence Alliance technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Independence Alliance partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)coreState agency that partners with Independence Alliance to provide Pre-Employment Transition Services for youth with disabilities. Joint program helps students prepare for employment and independence.
- Ohio Statewide Independent Living CouncilmajorStatewide council that coordinates independent living services across Ohio. Affiliation provides advocacy coordination and policy alignment.
- Kentucky Statewide Independent Living CouncilmajorStatewide council that coordinates independent living services across Kentucky. Affiliation provides advocacy coordination and policy alignment.
- Cincinnati USA Regional ChamberminorRegional chamber of commerce affiliation supporting business connections and regional advocacy for the disability community.
- African American Chamber of CommerceminorChamber affiliation supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives and community connections.
- Human Services Chamber of Hamilton CountyminorAffiliation with Hamilton County human services coalition supporting collaboration and resource sharing among service providers.
- Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security AgencyminorPartnership to deliver Emergency Preparedness training for persons with disabilities, helping participants build emergency kits and communication plans.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Independence Alliance competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Arc: National nonprofit focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities, with chapters providing advocacy, housing, and independent living services. Comparable in mission, advocacy focus, and Centers for Independent Living-style cross-disability service model.
- Easterseals: Large national nonprofit providing disability and rehabilitation services including independent living, housing, employment, and youth transition. Comparable to Independence Alliance because both deliver cross-disability community-based services funded by federal/state grants and individual donations.
- National Council on Independent Living (NCIL): National membership organization for Centers for Independent Living, providing advocacy, training, and policy coordination across 400+ CILs. Comparable because Independence Alliance is part of the same federally-recognized CIL ecosystem NCIL represents.
- United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): National disability services nonprofit providing housing, independent living, advocacy, and assistive technology across affiliates. Comparable funding mix (federal/state grants, donations) and overlapping service portfolio with Independence Alliance.
- Goodwill Industries of Kentucky / Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region: Large national nonprofit providing vocational rehabilitation, employment services, and independent living support for people with disabilities. Comparable funding sources (federal VR dollars, state contracts) and youth employment programming.
Emerging players
- Disability Rights Ohio: Ohio's designated Protection & Advocacy system, providing legal advocacy and disability rights services. Overlaps with Independence Alliance's Disability Rights & Advocacy core service in the same state.
- Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center: Regional nonprofit serving people with sensory disabilities (deaf, hard of hearing, blind) with assistive technology, advocacy, and independent living support. Comparable ancillary AT service line (e.g., Independence Alliance's Low Vision Aids program).
Regional players
- Access Center for Independent Living (Dayton, OH): Ohio-based Center for Independent Living serving the Dayton region with independent living skills, advocacy, youth transition, and housing. Most directly comparable peer: same CIL model, Title VII funding, and overlapping state funder (OOD).
- LADD (Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled): Greater Cincinnati nonprofit providing housing, adult day services, and community living supports for people with developmental disabilities. Comparable regional footprint, disability-services funding streams, and cross-disability service philosophy.
- Disability Advocates of Kentucky: Kentucky-based Center for Independent Living providing independent living skills, advocacy, and youth transition services. Directly comparable as a CIL operating in the same Kentucky service geography as Independence Alliance's Northern Kentucky office.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Independence Alliance social profiles
Digital presenceIndependence Alliance financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Independence Alliance leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
Independence Alliance funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Independence Alliance M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Independence Alliance
What does Independence Alliance do?
Independence Alliance is a 501(c)(3) Center for Independent Living that delivers cross-disability services to people with physical, sensory, cognitive, and/or psychological disabilities in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. It provides five federally mandated core services (Disability Rights and Advocacy, Independent Living Skills, Peer Support, Information and Referral, and Youth Transition Services) plus Housing Programs and Arts Programming through the Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery. Services are provided free of charge to eligible individuals based on self-identification of disability.
Is Independence Alliance a public or private company?
Independence Alliance is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Independence Alliance founded?
Independence Alliance was founded in 1977. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Independence Alliance based?
Independence Alliance is headquartered in Cincinnati, United States, in the North America region.
How does Independence Alliance make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Grants and Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Contributions.
Who are Independence Alliance's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Arc, Easterseals, National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and Goodwill Industries of Kentucky / Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region. Emerging players are Disability Rights Ohio and Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center. Regional players are Access Center for Independent Living (Dayton, OH), LADD (Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled) and Disability Advocates of Kentucky.
Does Independence Alliance have an API?
No public API is recorded for Independence Alliance.
What industry is Independence Alliance in?
Independence Alliance's product category is Disability Services / Independent Living. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech), with a secondary code of BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support. Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8300.