Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Independence Associates Inc

EIN 04-2701621 · E Bridgewtr, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SINCE 1980, IA HAS WORKED WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES PROVIDING THE RESOURCES WHICH ENABLE THEM TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS THEY WISH IN THE SETTING THAT THEY CHOOSE. LIVING INDEPENDENTLY IS ABOUT DIGNITY, FREEDOM AND OVERCOMING THE BARRIERS WHICH STILL EXIST TODAY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. AS A CROSS AGE, CROSS CULTURAL AND CROSS DISABILITY ORGANIZATION, IA WORKS TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO ANY PERSON WITH A DISABILITY LIVING WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
3.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
35
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$133,251, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% 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 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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 September 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 (5)
  1. $943,810 spent. INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THE SKILLS AND RESOURCES TO ENCOURAGE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE. 709 CONSUMERS WERE SERVED.
  2. $101,352 spent. PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SERVICES ASSISTS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TRANSITIONING FROM NURSING HOMES OR OTHER INSTITUTIONALIZED SETTINGS INTO THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS YOUTH TRANSITIONING FROM SCHOOL LIFE TO ADULTHOOD.
  3. $1.2 million spent. THE PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT (PCA) PROGRAM IS A PROGRAM THAT IS MANAGED BY THE CONSUMER, AND FUNDED BY MASSHEALTH. THIS PROGRAM ENABLES INDIVIDUALS WITH A PERMANENT OR LONG-TERM DISABILITY TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AT HOME WITH THE SERVICES NECESSARY TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT.
  4. $17,986 spent. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THE SKILLS AND RESOURCES TO LEAD TO SUCCESSFUL INDEPENDENT EMPLOYMENT. 36 CONSUMERS WERE SERVED.
  5. $13,500 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES RELATED TO DME (DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT) REUSE

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 1981.

    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.