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Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services Incorporated

EIN 04-2515020 · Somerville, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SOMERVILLE-CAMBRIDGE ELDER SERVICES IS A NON-PROFIT AGENCY THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION, SERVICES, AND ADVOCACY TO HELP OLDER ADULTS LIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN THE SETTING OF THEIR CHOICE. ESTABLISHED IN 1972 AS PART OF A NATIONAL MOVEMENT TOWARD PROVIDING COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR OLDER ADULTS, OUR MISSION IS FOCUSED ON HELPING PEOPLE AGE IN PLACE, REGARDLESS OF INCOME LEVEL. WE HELP THOUSANDS OF OLDER ADULTS, CAREGIVERS, AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN OUR SERVICE COMMUNITIES, OFTEN WORKING WITH THEM IN THEIR HOMES TO ASSESS NEEDS AND COORDINATE ASSISTANCE.

Income
$44.7 million
Spending
$45.1 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 64%
Employees
179
Volunteers
365
Highest pay
$261,615, 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

Fair: 68 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 38% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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

    13 of 13 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. $15.4 million spent. THE COMMUNITY CHOICES PROGRAM PROVIDED HOME CARE SUPPORT IN FY2025 FOR 1,974 ELDERS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR MASS HEALTH COVERAGE AND AT RISK OF PLACEMENT IN A LONG-TERM FACILITY. THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED PRIMARILY BY MEDICAID FUNDING.
  2. $6.7 million spent. ADULT FAMILY CARE PROVIDED COMPENSATION AND SUPPORT TO INFORMAL CAREGIVERS, ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITY TO RECEIVE CARE AT HOME. THE PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED PRIMARILY BY MEDICAID FUNDING. THE PROGRAM PROVIDED SERVICES TO 250 INDIVIDUALS IN FY2025.
  3. $6.5 million spent. THE HOME CARE PROGRAM PROVIDED SERVICES IN FY2025 TO 13,347 OLDER RESIDENTS OF CAMBRIDGE AND SOMERVILLE WHO NEED ASSISTANCE SO THEY MAY CONTINUE TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AND SAFELY AT HOME. DEPENDING ON INCOME AND ELIGIBILITY, SERVICES MAY BE STATE-SUBSIDIZED. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED PRIMARILY BY STATE CONTRACTS.
  4. $13.6 million spent. OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZATION IN FY2025 INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT, INFORMATION REFERRAL, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH AND RELATED SOCIAL NEEDS SCREENING, FRIENDLY VISITING, NUTRITION, CHORES, PROTECTIVE AND HOMEMAKER 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 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 April 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.

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