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The May Institute Inc

EIN 04-2197449 · Randolph, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MAY INSTITUTE PROUDLY SERVES INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN WITH AUTISM, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, AND BEHAVIOR DISORDERS TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE, CHOICE, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT. SEE SCHEDULE O.WE PROVIDE COMPASSIONATE AND CARING EDUCATIONAL, THERAPEUTIC, HABILITATIVE, AND CONSULTING SERVICES GROUNDED IN EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE.MAY INSTITUTE IS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE IN SPECIALIZED SERVICES THROUGH TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE TO MEET THE BROAD RANGE OF NEEDS IN INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITIES.

Income
$163.9 million
Spending
$160.5 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
2,489
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$698,235, president & ceo

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: 47 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (mental health, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 57% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 37 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 32% of charities in its peer group (mental health, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 (3)
  1. $73.4 million spent. OUR CENTERS IN MASSACHUSETTS OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, ALL BASED ON APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYTIC (ABA) INTERVENTIONS. SERVICES INCLUDE RESIDENTIAL GROUP HOMES, SUPPORTED LIVING APARTMENTS, SHARED LIVING OPPORTUNITIES, AND DAY HABILITATION CENTERS.
  2. $62.9 million spent. MAY INSTITUTE IS ONE OF THE LARGEST PROVIDERS IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS OF PRIVATE SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOLS SPECIFICALLY SERVING CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD), DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, BRAIN INJURY, AND NEUROBEHAVIORAL DISORDERS. ALL OUR MAY CENTER SCHOOLS OFFER FULL-DAY, YEAR-ROUND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES BASED ON BEST PRACTICES FROM THE FIELDS OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) AND SPECIAL EDUCATION. STUDENTS RECEIVE HIGHLY INDIVIDUALIZED BEHAVIORAL, ACADEMIC, AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. THEY ARE SURROUNDED BY CARING, HIGHLY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS SEEKING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR CARE.OUR FOUR MAY CENTER SCHOOLS FOR AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN MASSACHUSETTS ARE CHAPTER 766-APPROVED PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT FOCUS ON BUILDING COMMUNICATION, SOCIAL, BEHAVIORAL, VOCATIONAL, AND ACADEMIC SKILLS. WE BASE OUR PROGRAMS ON ABA, WHICH HAS BEEN SHOWN THROUGH HUNDREDS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDIES TO BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD TO TEACH CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.OUR MAY CENTER SCHOOL FOR BRAIN INJURY AND NEUROBEHAVIORAL DISORDERS IN MASSACHUSETTS SERVES STUDENTS WITH A BROAD RANGE OF NEUROBEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES. THESE INCLUDE BRAIN INJURY, GENETIC OR CHROMOSOMAL DISORDERS, SEIZURE DISORDERS, MOOD DISORDERS, AND INTELLECTUAL AND NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS. THE SCHOOL IS ONE OF ONLY A HANDFUL OF PEDIATRIC PROGRAMS IN THE U.S. THAT FOCUS ON BOTH EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION. ABOUT HALF OF THE STUDENTS WHO ATTEND TWO OF OUR SCHOOLS (IN RANDOLPH AND NORWOOD, MA) ALSO RECEIVE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED GROUP HOMES. THESE SERVICES FOCUS ON HELPING CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS STRENGTHEN AND GENERALIZE INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, AND ARE DESIGNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH EACH CHILD'S INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATIONAL PLAN. OUR HIGHLY SKILLED STAFF PROVIDE 24-HOUR SUPPORT AND SUPERVISION TO ENSURE THAT EACH CHILD'S UNIQUE NEEDS ARE MET.
  3. $7.9 million spent. OUR CENTERS OFFER HOME-BASED AND CENTER-BASED APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) THERAPY FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) AND A RANGE OF SPECIAL NEEDS. HOME-BASED CONSULTATION AND EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS HELP FAMILIES DEVELOP EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT IN THE HOME AND COMMUNITY. MAY CENTERS ALSO PROVIDE CONSULTATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO ENHANCE SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING, COGNITIVE, AND BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES. WE ALSO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CONSULTATION TO IMPLEMENT SCHOOL-WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS (PBIS), PROMOTING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT BY IMPROVING THE SCHOOL'S BEHAVIORAL CLIMATE.

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 February 1957.

    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.

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