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Willie Ross School for the Deaf Inc

EIN 04-2430193 · Longmeadow, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak32 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 69 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE SCHOOL PROVIDES DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING STUDENTS ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED EDUCATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN THE GREATER COMMUNITY. WE STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION. WE WORK TO MAXIMIZE EACH INDIVIDUAL'S INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH.

Income
$7.5 million
Spending
$7.1 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
105
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$184,777, 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: 32 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 75% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 69 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (2)
  1. $5.1 million spent. THE SCHOOL OPERATES A DAY PROGRAM TO EDUCATE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING STUDENTS AGES 2.9 THROUGH 22 YEARS OF AGE. THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IS HOUSED ON TWO CAMPUSES. A CENTER-BASED CAMPUS LOCATED IN LONGMEADOW, MA AND AN EMBEDDED CAMPUS LOCATED WITHIN THE EAST LONGMEADOW, MA PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. THE EMBEDDED CAMPUS SERVES ELEMENTARY THROUGH SECONDARY STUDENTS. A COMPREHENSIVE ACADEMIC PROGRAM IS ALSO AVAILABLE. THE GOAL IS FOR ALL STUDENTS TO GO ON TO COLLEGE OR EMPLOYMENT.
  2. $1.3 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS A RANGE OF SERVICES FOR NON-WILLIE ROSS SCHOOL STUDENTS IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS FROM INFANTS TO ADULTS. SERVICES INCLUDE AUDIOLOGICAL, EDUCATIONAL, DIAGNOSTIC, AND SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERS A TEAM TO WORK WITH INFANTS AND TODDLERS WHO HAVE HEARING LOSS. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES INCLUDE HOME VISITS AND AUDIOLOGICAL SERVICES.

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 November 6, 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 November 1968.

    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 November 4, 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.