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Passes our checks

Charles River Center Inc

EIN 04-2393108 · Needham, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. OUR PROGRAMS AIM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS REACH THEIR HIGHEST POSSIBLE LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE, ENABLING THEM TO LEAD FULFILLING AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES AND PARTICIPATE MORE FULLY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

Income
$46.1 million
Spending
$41.4 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
7.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 84%
Employees
652
Volunteers
140
Highest pay
$354,104, president and 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

Good: 89 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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.

  • 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. $6.8 million spent. DAY SERVICES - THE DAY SERVICES CONSIST OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND THERAPEUTIC DAY SERVICES. OUR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS TO EXPLORE CAREER INTERESTS AND DEVELOP JOB SKILLS. ASSISTED BY JOB COACHES, MANY PARTICIPANTS ARE PLACED INDIVIDUALLY OR AS A MEMBER OF A CREW IN JOBS WITHIN A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY BUSINESSES. JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT ARE AT THE FOREFRONT BUT INDIVIDUALS ALSO VOLUNTEER IN THE COMMUNITY, EXERCISE AT THE YMCA, PARTICIPATE IN OUR HORTICULTURAL PROGRAM,TAKE COMPUTER AND COOKING CLASSES AND TAKE PART IN OTHER MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES. OUR THERAPEUTIC DAY SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ADULTS WITH COMPLEX NEEDS; THESE PROGRAMS OFFER PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH AND MUSIC THERAPIES, WITH FULL-TIME NURSING SUPERVISION. PARTICIPANTS FOCUS ON MAXIMIZING DAILY LIVING SKILLS, VOLUNTEERISM AND ENGAGING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS COOKING, COMPUTER USE, MUSIC, ARTS AND CRAFTS AND FITNESS.
  2. $25.9 million spent. RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - THE CHARLES RIVER CENTER PROVIDES HOUSING TO ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. WE HAVE 22 RESIDENCES IN 8 DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES. ASSISTANCE VARIES FROM INTENSIVE STAFFING FOR SOME RESIDENCES TO INTERMITTENT ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THEIR OWN APARTMENTS. INDIVIDUALS ARE ASSISTED WITH MEAL PREPARATION, PERSONAL CARE AND HYGIENE AND SOCIAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT. ALL INDIVIDUALS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY EVENTS.
  3. $4.2 million spent. FAMILY SUPPORT - THIS DIVISION OFFERS A BROAD RANGE OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS, ADVOCACY SERVICES, SEMINARS AND A MULTITUDE OF RESOURCES TO PARTICIPATING FAMILIES. FROM AFTER SCHOOL AND VACATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN TO EXTENDED DAY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS TO THE ELLIE BLOOM OLYMPICS FOR ALL. FAMILY SUPPORT EMPOWERS FAMILIES WITH INFORMATION, HELPS THEM NETWORK WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND PROVIDES SUPPORT AND RELIEF FROM THE CONSTANT CARE REQUIRED BY A CHILD OR ADULT WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY.

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 August 1958.

    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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