About Us

Unique Non-Profit

Extraordinary Ventures is a unique non-profit organization in Chapel Hill, NC that operates a range of small businesses and ventures for the purpose of employing young adults with autism and developmental disabilities.

Origins & Formation

EV was founded in 2007 when a group of concerned parents banded together to find a solution to the dilemma facing a growing number of young autistic and developmentally challenged individuals who were aging out of high school in the Chapel Hill area. Meaningful opportunities were quite limited for this population. The parents rejected the idea that their young adult children were not capable of holding down a job or having a career. As they saw it, the problem was with society’s attitude and unwillingness to give them a chance. The parents formed a new organization, Extraordinary Ventures, to focus on developing opportunities that would fit the needs and capabilities of the individuals.

Present

EV’s businesses include Space Rental, Laundry Services, Cemetery/Gravesite Services, Greek Life Services, and Football Gameday Parking. Social programs include Friday Night Live!

Partners

EV strives to work with its natural allies including Arc of Orange Country, Autism Society of North Carolina, UNC Teacch Program, Carolina Living & Learning Center, and group home organizations Residential Services Inc. and GHA Inc. Other partners include Red Cross, Chapel Hill School District, A Helping Hand, Trosa, Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce, Gravesitebusiness.com, Pi Kappa Phi of UNC and Kappa Kappa Gamma of UNC .

Funding

Funding comes approximately 60% from our businesses, while donations and grants account for 40%.