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Become a Chapter - Contact Us | The Arc

Become a Chapter - Contact Us | The Arc

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Nonprofit
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existing nonprofit; community members; individual
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The page provides an inquiry form for starting a new Arc chapter or affiliating an existing nonprofit, outlining who can use it, the benefits of affiliation, application steps, required information, and tips on avoiding common pitfalls, with additional resources for help and California-specific guidance.
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Convertirse en un capítulo - Contáctenos | The Arc
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https://thearc.org/get-involved/become-chapter/become-chapter-form/
Last verified 2026-05-17. For nonprofit leaders, community groups, and individuals exploring whether to start a local chapter of The Arc.

What this is

The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. It has roughly 600 local chapters across the U.S.
This page is the inquiry form for starting a new chapter — or for an existing nonprofit to affiliate with The Arc. Submitting it does not commit you to anything; it just opens a conversation. [Source: thearc.org/get-involved/become-chapter/become-chapter-form (accessed 2026-05-17)]

Who this is for

Three audiences can use the form:
  • An existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit that wants to affiliate with The Arc's national network.
  • A group of community members (parents, advocates, providers) who want to bring a chapter to an area that doesn't have one.
  • An individual exploring the idea, often a parent of a child with IDD or someone who moved from a community that had a chapter.

What The Arc gives chapters

Per thearc.org/get-involved/become-chapter, affiliated chapters get:
  • A federal public-policy team with direct access to Congress.
  • Best-practice resources across self-advocacy, education, housing, employment, criminal justice, and technology.
  • Board development and succession-planning support.
  • Operational guidance for finance, HR, marketing, and communications.
  • Access to three annual gatherings: the Disability Policy Seminar, the Summer Leadership Institute, and the National Convention.
  • Group purchasing discounts and access to grant/fundraising platforms.
[Source: thearc.org/get-involved/become-chapter (accessed 2026-05-17)]

How to apply

  1. Open the form: thearc.org/get-involved/become-chapter/become-chapter-form.
  1. Fill in the organization or contact info (name, state, phone, email).
  1. Pick the section that matches you — individual, group, or existing nonprofit — and answer those questions only. Existing nonprofits will be asked about founding year, annual revenue, staff count, service area, and current services.
  1. Submit. The Arc's national office will follow up to schedule a conversation.

What to have ready before you fill it out

  • Your community's rough population and county/region.
  • A short answer to "why a chapter, why now" — service gaps, advocacy gaps, or family demand.
  • If you're an existing nonprofit: your EIN, last year's revenue, and a one-line description of programs you already run.

California context

California already has a strong network of Arc chapters and a state-level office (The Arc California). If you're in California, contact The Arc California first — they can tell you whether your county already has coverage and what gaps actually exist before you start a parallel organization. [Source: thearccalifornia.org (accessed 2026-05-17)]

Common pitfalls

  • Starting a chapter is a multi-year commitment — board recruitment, bylaws, IRS filings, and affiliation review. Treat the form as step one of many.
  • If your community already has a chapter (or a Regional Center serving the same population), affiliating with or volunteering at the existing one is usually faster than founding a new one.
  • The form is for chapter formation/affiliation, not for individual services. If you're a family looking for support, contact your nearest existing chapter directly via thearc.org/find-a-chapter.

Where to get help

Sources