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Spectrum Inc

EIN 03-0253232 · Burlington, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EMPOWER TEENAGERS, YOUNG ADULTS, AND THEIR FAMILIES TO MAKE AND SUSTAIN POSTIVE CHANGES THROUGH PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND LIFE SKILLS SERVICES.

Income
$8.7 million
Spending
$9.1 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
115
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$194,120, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 September 30, 2024, 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 (5)
  1. $1.3 million spent. RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE THREE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND AN EMERGENCY SHELTER PROVIDING SERVICES TO HELP YOUTH TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT LIVING. IN FY24, SPECTRUM PROVIDED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING TO 10 INDIVIDUALS, SHORT- TERM HOUSING TO 20 INDIVIDUALS, AND NIGHTLY SHELTER SERVICES TO 33 INDIVIDUALS.
  2. $1.3 million spent. THE COUNSELING PROGRAM IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AND SPECIALIZES IN THE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE CONCERNS FOR ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS. IN FY24, SPECTRUM'S COUNSELING PROGRAM PROVIDED SERVICES TO 356 INDIVIDUALS.
  3. $974,094 spent. THE OUTREACH/DROP IN CENTERS HELPS YOUTH WITH BASIC NEEDS (SUCH AS FOOD AND CLOTHING) AND OFFERS JOB TRAINING CLASSES, DRIVER EDUCATION AND OTHER SERVICES. IN FY24, SPECTRUM'S DROP-IN CENTERS PROVIDED SERVICES TO 466 INDIVIDUALS.
  4. $3.6 million spent. DETAIL WORKS GIVES YOUTH PROGRESSIVE, ON-THE-JOB EXPERIENCE, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ATTENTION, COMMUNICATION, AND ACCOUNTABILITY, AND GIVES YOUTH A CHANCE TO TRY OUT THESE SKILLS IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. OTHER PROGRAMS, INCLUDING COMPASS, THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, THE MULTICULTURAL YOUTH PROGRAM, JOBS, MENTORING, AND THE DIRECT CASH TRANSFER PROGRAM, FOCUS ON INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES FOR YOUTH, OFFERING INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, JOB TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION, AND IDENTIFYING ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS TO HELP YOUTH BECOME CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
  5. DETAIL WORKS GIVES YOUTH PROGRESSIVE, ON-THE-JOB EXPERIENCE, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ATTENTION, COMMUNICATION, AND ACCOUNTABILITY, AND GIVES YOUTH A CHANCE TO TRY OUT THESE SKILLS IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. OTHER PROGRAMS, INCLUDING COMPASS, THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, THE MULTICULTURAL YOUTH PROGRAM, JOBS, MENTORING, AND THE DIRECT CASH TRANSFER PROGRAM, FOCUS ON INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES FOR YOUTH, OFFERING INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, JOB TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION, AND IDENTIFYING ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS TO HELP YOUTH BECOME CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 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 November 1973.

    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.