Fitchburg nonprofit joins Chelmsford human services provider in $47M deal
PHOTO | Courtesy of Google Maps
The Art of Opportunity on Main Street in Fitchburg
Fitchburg nonprofit The Arc of Opportunity has become an affiliate of Chelmsford-based Incompass Human Services, which serves nearly 500 individuals with brain injuries and intellectual disabilities in the Greater Lawrence and Greater Lowell areas.
The agreement between the two human services organizations with a combined $47 million in revenue seeks to expand access throughout Fitchburg and Northern Worcester County, according to a March 23 press release from Incompass. The affiliation – which is what two nonprofits call it when they join forces – will allow for the sharing of resources between the two organizations.
The Arc of Opportunity has operated in Fitchburg since 1952 and now provides employment support, day programming, and home help.
“We are thrilled to welcome The Arc of Opportunity into our organization as our newest affiliate. This agreement will allow us to leverage the strengths of both organizations to better serve our individuals and their families and communities. Together, we will be able to develop new initiatives and implement collaborative activities to positively affect each organization’s impact,” Incompass CEO Jean Phelps said in the press release.
Incompass Human Services is a founding affiliate of the New England Human Services Collaborative, a human services provider consortium dedicated to access and innovation through shared resources. It was created as demand for services increased, according to the press release.
“We are excited to become an affiliate of Incompass Human Services and be a part of the NEHSCO umbrella of providers. This agreement offers us access to share in a wider range of resources and expertise, which will help us to offer more comprehensive services to the individuals and families we serve,” Mary Heafy, president and CEO of The Arc of Opportunity, said in the press release.
The Arc of Opportunity had $15.5 million in total revenue in 2020, according to its most recently available tax filings available on Guidestar. Incompass has $31.5 million in total revenue for that year.
Also part of NEHSCO is Peabody-based Bridgewell, Inc, which provides disability and recovery services. NEHSCO was founded in 2021, and its affiliates maintain their own names and operational structures, according to the release.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly called the affiliation a merger. Following the deal, the two organizations will maintain their own leadership structures and organizational independence.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
Incompass is extraordinarily pleased that we have such a strong partner through our AFFILIATION with the Arc of Opportunity. However, we have not merged, each organization remains a separate and independent organization through a sole-member structure. This affiliation allows us to more easily and effectively collaborate on activities and interest of benefit to each organization. An affiliation is not a merger, it is in fact an affiliation.
Jean M. Phelps, CEO Incompass Human Services
1 Comments