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CAPABILITIES INC

ELMIRA, NY · EIN 160807981 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE J30Z · Employment · Medium ($1M-$10M) · capabilities.org
revenue
$2.2M
expenses
$2.4M
net assets
$3.1M
employees
121
volunteers
11
program ratio
85%
mission · from form 990

TO ASSIST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OBTAIN THEIR OPTIMUM OCCUPATIONAL GOALS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Capabilities Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Elmira, NY, founded in 1956 to support individuals with disabilities in achieving employment and education goals. The organization provides vocational training, job placement, and retention services, and operates social enterprises such as a café, custodial services, and upholstery workshops to create integrated work opportunities. It serves local communities through direct programs and partnerships with employers.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $7K
    SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PREPARE AND ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES OBTAIN AND RETAIN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT.
named programs · 9 · from sources

What they call their work

Custodial Services
Commercial cleaning services provided by trained staff, offering job experience and employment in janitorial work
Elmira Tea & Coffee House (ETCH)
Social enterprise café that provides job training and employment for individuals with disabilities and those recovering from substance abuse
Employer Assistance
Service connecting employers with qualified candidates and providing free on-site training and support through Employment Specialists
Peer Program
Support initiative where individuals with lived experience mentor others navigating employment and disability challenges
Supported Education
Services that help individuals with disabilities achieve educational goals as part of their career development pathway
Supported Employment
Individualized job placement and retention services for people with disabilities, including advocacy, benefits advisement, and on-site training
Upholstery Services
Vocational program offering upholstery repair and custom furniture services, providing skilled work experience for individuals with disabilities
WorkCenter and Outside Contracts
Creates employment opportunities within Capabilities and through contracts with external businesses, providing meaningful work experience
Youth Services
Program focused on preparing young people with disabilities for workforce entry through training and support
activities · 3 groups

What they do

  • Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 3 activities
    • Operation of Work Center and Social Enterprises for Job Creation
      Operates a work center and social enterprises—including ETCH and Elmira Tea & Coffee House—to create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities through integrated vocational services, job training, and community-based business operations.
    • Production and Sale of Artisan Food and Beverage Products
      Produces and sells regionally sourced food and beverage products—including chocolates, baked goods, and tea—crafted by individuals with disabilities through its social enterprise model.
    • Supported Employment Services
      Provides individualized employment services including vocational assessments, job placement, on-site training, benefits advisement, and mental health supports to help individuals with disabilities obtain and retain competitive employment. Offers employer support through trained Employment Specialists who provide on-site training at no cost to employers.
  • Archaeological and Cultural Conservation 1 activity
    • Upholstery and Custom Seating Services
      Repairs and restores furniture and seating, including chairs, restaurant booths, and vehicle interiors, using master craftsmen with over 40 years of experience. Offers custom-made seating fabrication, in-person consultations with fabric selection, and pick-up and delivery services.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Commercial and Custodial Cleaning Services
      Provides commercial cleaning, office cleaning, and post-construction clean-up services, including floor care such as stripping, waxing, and buffing, for a range of settings from small offices to large-scale factories.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.23M
Contributions & grants$845K38%
Program service revenue$1.18M53%
Investment income$211K9%
Other revenue$60
expenses
Total expenses$2.38M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.69M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.53M
Cash$237K
Investments$2.26M
Liabilities$418K
Net assets$3.12M
Liquid reserves12.6 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -0.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
LEISA ALGER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 0 $165K
DON HILFIGER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 0 $112K
board members · 11
  • AARON ALSHEIMER — CHAIRPERSON
  • ABBY CARR — TREASURER
  • BRIAN QUALEY — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID EICHENAUER — DIRECTOR
  • DEBRA STANTON — DIRECTOR
  • JOHN KOHENA — DIRECTOR
  • KAREN CROMER — VICE CHAIRPERSON
  • KELLY SQUIRES — DIRECTOR
  • MICHAEL BATTERSBY — DIRECTOR
  • NATHAN GAGE — DIRECTOR
  • RITA MCCABE — SECRETARY
relationships · 11

Who they work with

  • Elmira Tea & Coffee House Partner — Café operated as a social enterprise to deliver vocational services and employment opportunities for individuals served by Capabilities Inc.
  • Highland Chocolates Partner — Partner organization producing regionally sourced chocolate products made by individuals with disabilities.
  • Mighty Leaf Tea Partner — Partner organization that employs individuals with disabilities to package teas for national distribution, with products offered by Capabilities.
  • NYSID Partner — Partner organization supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.
  • Randy Lewis Partner — Featured speaker in a TEDx talk about hiring individuals through Capabilities' model.
  • Rotary Club of Elmira Partner — Community partner involved in founding Capabilities through fundraising and program development.
  • Special Touch bakery Partner — Partner organization producing handmade pies, with products sold through Capabilities' social enterprise.
  • Tad’s Tasty Treats Partner — Local entrepreneur and partner whose products are showcased through Capabilities' ETCH social enterprise.
  • banks Partner — Client organization receiving custodial services
  • municipal buildings Partner — Client organization receiving custodial services
  • small and large manufacturers Partner — Client organization receiving custodial services
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Employer-Supported Onboarding
    methodology: employer-partnered-onboarding-support
    By providing free on-site Employment Specialists to train and support new hires, the organization increases employer willingness to hire individuals with disabilities, because it reduces perceived risk and onboarding burden, leading to higher job retention.
  • Social Enterprise Model for Employment Integration
    methodology: social_enterprise
    By embedding employment training within revenue-generating businesses like upholstery and cafés, the organization creates sustainable job opportunities for individuals with disabilities, because real-work environments provide authentic skill development and smoother pathways to competitive employment.
  • Supported and Individualized Employment Services
    methodology: supported_employment
    By providing personalized job matching, coaching, and ongoing support, the organization helps individuals with disabilities achieve and maintain competitive employment, because tailored preparation and mentorship address individual barriers more effectively than standardized programs.
  • Workforce Development Through Integrated Service Operations
    methodology: workforce-development-through-trades
    By employing individuals with disabilities in operational roles such as upholstery repair and custodial services, the organization uses skilled work as a training ground for workforce readiness, because hands-on experience in real service delivery builds competence, confidence, and employability.