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Family Services of the Merrimack Valley Inc

EIN 04-2104054 · Lawrence, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FAMILY SERVICES EMPOWERS, NURTURES AND SUPPORTS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH LIFE'S CHALLENGES TO HELP THEM REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

Income
$8.5 million
Spending
$8.5 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 66%
Employees
155
Volunteers
236
Highest pay
$195,277, ceo

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

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

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

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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, 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 (4)
  1. $1.8 million spent. CRISIS SERVICES: PROVIDES 988 LIFELINE CRISIS HOTLINE, OUTREACH AND EDUCATION, POSTVENTION VISITS AND TRAINING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE FREQUENT CONTACT WITH HIGH-RISK POPULATIONS.
  2. $2.1 million spent. FISCAL SPONSORSHIPLAWRENCE/METHUEN COMMUNITY COALITION: PROVIDES RESIDENTS WITH ACCESS TO SERVICES THAT FOSTER AND PRESERVE THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH THE PREVENTION OF CHILD MALTREATMENT, DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.UNCOMMON THREADS: PROVIDES USED CLOTHING AND VOLUNTEER STYLISTS TO IMPROVE THE SELF-ESTEEM AND JOB READINESS OF WOMEN WHO ARE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS, DISABLED WOMEN, WOMEN IN RECOVERY, FEMALE VETERANS AND LOW-INCOME WOMEN.ONE WISH PROJECT: PROVIDES BIRTHDAY EXPERIENCES TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG TEENS LIVING IN SHELTERS.BROTHERS IN ARMS: PROVIDES A VOLUNTEER-BASED MEN'S SUPPORT GROUPINSPIRED VIBES: PROVIDES COACHING AND MINDFULNESS TOOLS TO SUPPORT MEN AND WOMEN IN NEED
  3. $1.1 million spent. FAMILY SERVICES: PROVIDES GROUP CLASSES AND CASE MANAGEMENT TO PARENTS SEEKING TO RAISE HEALTHY CHILDREN. SERVICES INCLUDE THOSE TARGETED TO TEEN PARENTS, FATHERS, AND OTHER VULNERABLE FAMILIES.
  4. $2.3 million spent. CLINICAL SERVICES: FAMILY SERVICES OPERATES A STATE-LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC THAT PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT TO INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COUPLES. CLINICAL SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE THERAPEUTIC MENTORING.YOUTH SERVICES: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDE COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL-BASED MENTORING AS WELL AS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR AT-RISK YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 12-18.FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER: PROVIDES ASSESSMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT PLANNING, PARENTING CLASSES, PEER TO PEER SUPPORT GROUPS, LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOPS, CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ACTIVITIES TO FAMILIES AND SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR FAMILIES RAISING ADOLESCENTS. ELDER SERVICES: PROVIDES DIRECT OUTREACH TO ELDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, CONDUCT PROGRAMS IN LONG-TERM CARE, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND GRIEF COUNSELING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 August 1953.

    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.

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