Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Birchtree

EIN 02-0520364 · Portsmouth, NH

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 71 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE BIRCHTREE CENTER SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM AND OTHER DIVERSE ABILITIES BY PROVIDING PERSONALIZED EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE INCLUSION, INDEPENDENCE, AND HOLISTIC GROWTH.

Income
$6.8 million
Spending
$6.6 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
4.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
89
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$211,130, exec. director (non-voting)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 59% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 71 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $6.1 million spent. THE BIRCHTREE CENTER SERVES 600+ INDIVIDUALS EACH YEAR, INCLUDING INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM AND OTHER DIVERSE ABILITIES, THEIR PARENTS AND FAMILIES, AND THE EDUCATORS AND CAREGIVERS WHO SUPPORT THEM. AT OUR DAY SCHOOL IN PORTSMOUTH, NH, WE OPERATE AN INTENSIVE, YEAR-ROUND SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL DAY SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH AUTISM IN GRADES PREK-12. TWENTY-FOUR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND MAINE SENT STUDENTS TO ATTEND OUR DAY SCHOOL IN THE 2024-2025 FINANCIAL YEAR. OUR OUTREACH STAFF TRAVELS 30,000+ MILES PER YEAR TO PROVIDE CONSULTATION, TRAINING, DIRECT SERVICES AND WORKSHOPS FOR STUDENTS, FAMILIES, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES THROUGHOUT NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2001.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.