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Robert F Kennedy Community Alliance

EIN 04-2103834 · Lancaster, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF RFK COMMUNITY ALLIANCE IS TO PROMOTE MEANINGFUL AND SUSTAINED WELL-BEING FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND ADULTS FACING EDUCATIONAL, DEVELOPMENTAL, OR MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.

Income
$48.6 million
Spending
$49.0 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
818
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$444,174, president and ceo (thru 03/25)

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 25 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 (6)
  1. $13.4 million spent. INTENSIVE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT: RFK COMMUNITY ALLIANCE OPERATES THE DOCTOR FRANKLIN PERKINS SCHOOL RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM, PROVIDING TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR YOUTH (AGES 5-22) WITH COMPLEX PSYCHIATRIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS. LOCATED IN LANCASTER, MA, THE PROGRAM INTEGRATES CLINICAL SERVICES, SPECIALIZED EDUCATION, AND 24-HOUR NURSING WITHIN A HIGHLY STRUCTURED SETTING. OUR INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH FOCUSES ON STABILIZATION AND SKILL-BUILDING TO SUPPORT A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO FAMILY AND COMMUNITY LIFE.
  2. $10.9 million spent. THERAPEUTIC DAY EDUCATION: WE OPERATE SPECIALIZED DAY SCHOOLS FOR STUDENTS (AGES 5-22) WHOSE EMOTIONAL, BEHAVIORAL, OR LEARNING CHALLENGES REQUIRE SUPPORT BEYOND THE CAPACITY OF TRADITIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS. ACROSS THE DOCTOR FRANKLIN PERKINS SCHOOL AND DON WATSON ACADEMY IN LANCASTER, AND THE ROBERT F. KENNEDY ACADEMY IN SPRINGFIELD, WE PROVIDE A TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. PROGRAMS INTEGRATE SPECIAL EDUCATION WITH INTENSIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO FOSTER ACADEMIC GROWTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
  3. $8.8 million spent. YOUTH COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL & INDEPENDENT LIVING: RFK COMMUNITY ALLIANCE MANAGES A CONTINUUM OF 24-HOUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH REQUIRING INTENSIVE SUPPORT DUE TO TRAUMA OR SIGNIFICANT LIFE DISRUPTIONS. THIS INCLUDES THE OATIS CHILDREN'S CENTER AND JOHNSTON HALL IN LANCASTER, THE KENNEDY SCHOOL IN MIDDLETON, AND YOUNG ADULT SUPPORTED LIVING APARTMENTS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS. TEAMS PROVIDE CLINICAL CARE AND LIFE-SKILLS TRAINING TO HELP YOUTH REACH DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES AND TRANSITION TOWARD INDEPENDENCE.
  4. $4.8 million spent. ADULT DISABILITY & COMMUNITY SUPPORTS: WE PROVIDE A SUITE OF RESIDENTIAL, DAY, AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SUPPORTS FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, INCLUDING AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS. OPERATING IN LANCASTER, CLINTON, AND WEST BOYLSTON, THESE PROGRAMS UTILIZE PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING TO HELP INDIVIDUALS LEAD SELF-DETERMINED LIVES. OUR FOCUS ON VOCATIONAL SKILLS AND PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH HELPS PARTICIPANTS REMAIN ACTIVE AND VALUED MEMBERS OF THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
  5. $4.6 million spent. COMMUNITY-BASED FAMILY SERVICES: RFK COMMUNITY ALLIANCE OPERATES A NETWORK OF COMMUNITY-INTEGRATED PROGRAMS ACROSS BOSTON, LANCASTER, AND HAMPDEN AND BERKSHIRE COUNTIES. SERVICES INCLUDE OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS, ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY SUPPORT, THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP, AND YOUTH ADVOCACY. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE A SAFETY NET OF PREVENTION AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN FAMILY RESILIENCE AND COMMUNITY STABILITY.
  6. $975,897 spent. NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER (NRC): THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES THE NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF YOUTH JUSTICE, PROVIDING CONSULTATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ORGANIZATIONS SERVING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES NATIONWIDE. WITH A TRACK RECORD OF WORK IN STATES SUCH AS TEXAS, CALIFORNIA, MICHIGAN, AND OHIO, THE CENTER HELPS JURISDICTIONS MOVE TOWARD EVIDENCE-INFORMED APPROACHES. WE FOCUS ON SYSTEMIC REFORMS, SUCH AS PROBATION REVIEWS AND TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE FRAMEWORKS, TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR DUAL-STATUS YOUTH

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1951.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.