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Passes our checks

Walnut Street Center Inc

EIN 04-2513725 · Medford, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE WALNUT STREET CENTER IS TO PROVIDE ADULTS, WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE ENGAGED AND MEANINGFUL LIVES. THE AGENCY ACCOMPLISHES THIS MISSION BY OFFERING A VARIETY OF SUPPORT SERVICES THAT PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE, WORK, VOLUNTEER AND SOCIALIZE IN THE COMMUNITY. THE WALNUT STREET CENTER IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING AND ENHANCING SUPPORT SERVICES TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SERVED BY THIS AGENCY.

Income
$21.6 million
Spending
$21.1 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 81%
Employees
290
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$240,080, executive director

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 46% 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 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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 (4)
  1. $13.1 million spent. RESIDENTIAL SUPPORTS:WALNUT STREET CENTER 'S RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS PROVIDE A VARIETY OF LIVING OPTIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTS (LESS THAN 24/7), AND FULLY STAFFED HOMES (24/7). OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE MEDICALLY INTENSIVE SERVICES, ALZHEIMER'S CARE, DUAL DIAGNOSIS, AUTISM, DEMENTIA, AND BEHAVIORAL PROGRAMS.24-HOUR SUPPORT: THIS MODEL PROVIDES PRIVATE RESIDENCES INTEGRATED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE STAFFED 24 HOURS A DAY.THESE HOMES PROVIDE SUPPORTS FOR MULTIPLE ADULTS, EACH WITH THEIR OWN PRIVATE BEDROOM. SUPPORTS ARE CUSTOMIZED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EACH RESIDENT.INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT: THE INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT SERVICE MODEL PROVIDES SUPPORTS TO ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES WHO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN THEIR OWN HOME OR APARTMENT OR WITH THEIR FAMILIES. THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED EITHER THROUGH CASE MANAGEMENT OR RECURRENT SUPPORT FROM WALNUT STREET CENTER STAFF. WALNUT STREET CENTER WORKS WITH THE INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR SUPPORT NETWORK TO DEVELOP A CUSTOMIZED MODEL THAT ALLOWS FOR THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE.
  2. $5.2 million spent. DAY HABILITATION PROGRAM:WSC DAY HABILITATION PROGRAM WAS OPENED IN 2003. THE PROGRAM OFFERS A SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES, FORMALIZED TRAINING, NURSING/CLINICAL SUPPORTS, AND STAFF SUPPORTS TO PROMOTE SKILL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ACQUISITION, RETENTION OR IMPROVEMENT OF SELF-HELP, SOCIALIZATION AND ADAPTIVE SKILLS. ACTIVITIES FOCUS ON IMPROVING A PARTICIPANTS SENSORY, MOTOR, COGNITIVE, COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL INTERACTION SKILLS.
  3. $322,671 spent. COMMUNITY BASED DAY SUPPORT:THIS PROGRAM OFFERS INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORTS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS TO ENRICH THEIR LIVES BY ENJOYING A FULL RANGE OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL DEVELOP, ENHANCE OR MAINTAIN COMPETENCIES. THE PROGRAM CAN BE A PATH TO RETIREMENT OR EMPLOYMENT. WHILE THE PROGRAM DOES NOT FOCUS ON PAID EMPLOYMENT IT CAN INCLUDE PRE-VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT WILL PREPARE INDIVIDUALS FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT AND LIMITED PAID OPPORTUNITIES. THE PROGRAM IS USED AS A VEHICLE TO EXPLORE AND ENGAGE IN COMMUNITIES.
  4. $77,355 spent. OTHER

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 June 1973.

    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.

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.