Walker Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported a significant diversion of its assets during the year.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO ARE FACING COMPLEX EMOTIONAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND LEARNING CHALLENGES BY PARTNERING WITH THESE CHILDREN AND YOUTH, THEIR FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES TO NURTURE HOPE, BUILD STRENGTHS, AND DEVELOP LIFELONG SKILLS.
- Income
- $39.5 million
- Spending
- $32.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 9.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 75%
- Employees
- 481
- Volunteers
- 182
- Highest pay
- $507,921, president & ceo (thru 3/2025)
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
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.5 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (8)
- $8.3 million spent. THE WALKER INTENSIVE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM (IRTP) WAS CREATED TO HELP HIGH-RISK, MULTIPLE-COMPLEX CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES BUILD SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES SO THEY MAY ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN A PERMANENT FAMILY CONNECTION WHILE PREVENTING THE DAMAGE OF SERIAL PLACEMENT DISRUPTIONS. THE WALKER IRTP IS A NATIONALLY ACCREDITED, FULLY LICENSED AND CHAPTER 766-APPROVED PROGRAM THAT SERVES CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 5 AND 13 WHO CAN BE MAINTAINED IN A STAFF-SECURE GROUP SETTING.
- $4.9 million spent. THE DAY TREATMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAM IS A CHAPTER 766-APPROVED ACADEMIC DAY PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WITH HISTORIES OF HIGH-RISK BEHAVIORS, CHRONIC MENTAL ILLNESS, LANGUAGE DISORDERS, LEARNING DISABILITIES, AND/OR HIGH-FUNCTIONING AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS.
- $4.5 million spent. WALKER COMMUNITY COUNSELING PROVIDES SUPPORT TO MAKE POSITIVE LIFE CHANGES IN A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT. PRACTITIONERS UTILIZE AN ECOLOGICAL APPROACH THAT ADDRESSES INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, ENVIORNMENTAL AND COMMUNITY FACTORS. WALKER COMMUNITY COUNSELING INCLUDES CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS, MASTER LEVEL CLINCICAL INTERNS, PSYCHIATRISTS, AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRESCRIBERS. WALKER COMMUNITY COUNSELING PRACTITIONERS ARE TRAINED IN THE APPLICATION OF A VARIETY OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT BEHAVIOR CHALLENGES, EMOTIONAL ISSUES, TRAUMA, AND OTHER COMPLE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.
- $2.7 million spent. WALKER BEACON SCHOOL IS A FULLY ACCREDITED, CO-EDUCATIONAL ALTERNATIVE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES ACADEMIC AND SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS IN A THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS AGES 12 TO 22 FROM THE GREATER BOSTON AREA.
- $2.2 million spent. WALKER SOLUTIONS PROVIDES CONSULTATION, DIRECT STAFF SUPPORT, HOME-BASED SERVICES, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND STUDENT AND PROGRAM EVALUATION SERVICES TO MORE THAN 55 SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND SEVERAL EDUCATIONAL COLLABORATIVES IN THE GREATER BOSTON AND WORCESTER AREAS.
- $1.7 million spent. THE ACUTE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM IS A HOSPITAL-DIVERSION PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SHORT-TERM STABILIZATION SUPPORT TO CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 3 AND 10 WHO ARE ACTIVELY IN SEVERE EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL CRISIS.
- $1.5 million spent. THE AIN GROUP HOME IS AN INTENSIVE GROUP HOME (1:3), COEDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGES 5 TO 13 AND THIER FAMILIES. AS AN INTENSIVE GROUP HOME, THE AIN GROUP HOME PROVIDES A SAFE, STRUCTURED, HOME-LIKE LIVING ENVIORNMENT. WHILE ON-SITE, CHILDREN RECEIVE COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT THAT INCLUDES CLINICAL SERVICES, HEALTH SERVICES, PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTATION, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, AND CASE MANAGEMENT. OUTSIDE OF THE RESIDENCE, CHILDREN PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE COMMUNITY BY ATTENDING COMMUNITY BASED SCHOOLS, CAMPS, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, AND SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS.
- $333,946 spent. THE THERAPEUTIC AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM (TASP) WAS CREATED TO PROVIDE PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL AND STRUCTURED RECREATIONAL GROUP ACTIVITIES, OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM, TAILORED TO THE NEED OF THE STUDENTS ENROLLED. LOCATED AT THE WALKER BEACON SCHOOL, TASP SERVES UP TO 8 YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 6 AND 13 OFFERING SUPPORTS SUCH AS INDIVIDUALIZED ACTION PLANS, GROUP THERAPY, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND COORDINATION, EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE, FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, AND DISCHARGE AND TRANSITION PLANNING TO PREPARE STUDENT FOR INCLUSION IN A LESS STRUCTURED SETTING.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1952.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.