Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

New England Center for Children Inc

EIN 04-2708762 · Southborough, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NECC EXISTS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, ACROSS NEW ENGLAND AND AROUND THE WORLD. THROUGH DIRECT-CARE SERVICES, EDUCATION, PARENT TRAINING, RESEARCH, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND A PATENTED TECHNOLOGY, NECC IS HELPING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN LEARN AND THRIVE, WHILE ALSO PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AND BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS.

Income
$134.9 million
Spending
$134.1 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
1,235
Volunteers
113
Highest pay
$551,155, chief technology officer

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: 61 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 37 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

    12 of 14 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. $58.4 million spent. THE SEVERE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM SERVES STUDENTS AGE 6 THROUGH 22 FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. THIS PROGRAM OPERATES 365 DAYS/YEAR AND IS DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS WITH THE MOST SEVERE CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS, INCLUDING SELF-INJURY. THESE STUDENTS RESIDE IN SPECIALLY DESIGNED GROUP HOMES WHICH ARE STAFFED WITH 1:1 (SOMETIMES 2:1) STAFF/STUDENT RATIO THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND NIGHT. INSTRUCTION IS PROVIDED BOTH IN THE RESIDENCE AND THE SCHOOL BY A TEAM OF TEACHERS, SPECIALISTS AND CLINICIANS WHO WORK ACROSS BOTH SETTINGS. THE GOAL FOR THESE STUDENTS IS TO DECREASE DANGEROUS AND SEVERE BEHAVIORS AND INCREASE THEIR ABILITY TO FUNCTION AND COMMUNICATE INDEPENDENTLY SO THAT THEY MAY MOVE TO A LESS RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR AN IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE.
  2. $35.9 million spent. NECC OPERATES THE MOHAMMED BIN RASHID CENTER FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION IN ABU DHABI, UAE, UNDER AN AGREEMENT WITH THE ABU DHABI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE. THE CENTER IN ABU DHABI REPLICATES ALL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS AT THE NEW ENGLAND CENTER FOR CHILDREN IN MASSACHUSETTS, INCLUDING EARLY ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION, PRESCHOOL PROGRAMMING, TREATMENT AND EDUCATION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AGE 3 AND OLDER, FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, AND A RESEARCH PROGRAM TO SUPPORT THE BEST CLINICAL PRACTICES.
  3. $12.6 million spent. NECC'S INTERMEDIATE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM RUNS 365 DAYS/YEAR AND SERVES STUDENTS WITH SELF-INJURY AND OTHER CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS THAT MAKE IT UNSAFE FOR THEM TO LIVE WITH THEIR FAMILIES. THESE STUDENTS LIVE IN GROUP HOMES NEAR THE SOUTHBOROUGH CAMPUS AND ARE STAFFED 1:1 THROUGHOUT THEIR DAY. STUDENTS IN THE INTERMEDIATE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM ATTEND THE DAY SCHOOL WHERE THEY WORK ON LIFE SKILLS, ACADEMICS, SPEECH AND LANGUAGE, SOCIAL SKILLS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND THERAPY, AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS. THEY RECEIVE INCREASED CLINICAL AND EDUCATIONAL SUPERVISION.
  4. $15.1 million spent. THE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SERVES CHILDREN AGE 3-22 FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY WHO REQUIRE A HIGHLY STRUCTURED, 24-HOUR SETTING TO MAKE EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS. STUDENTS LIVE IN GROUP HOMES WITH OTHER STUDENTS OF THE SAME GENDER AND AGE RANGE. THEY PARTICIPATE IN SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION FOR ACADEMICS, SOCIAL SKILLS, COMMUNICATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION. WHILE IN THE RESIDENCE, STUDENTS FOCUS ON INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, LEISURE, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.NECC OPERATES A LIMITED ADULT PROGRAM FOR FORMER NECC STUDENTS WHO HAVE GRADUATED THE PROGRAM BUT ARE NOT ABLE TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE ADULT PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORTS TO HELP THESE INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS DEVELOP SKILLS TO HELP THEM INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY AND WORKFORCE.NECC OPERATES A VAST CONSULTING PRACTICE, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS (AN ONLINE PLATFORM CALLED ABAPLUS), CLASSROOM EVALUATIONS AND CONSULTATIONS, AND INDIVIDUAL STUDENT EVALUATIONS AND CONSULTATIONS. NECC HAS CONSULTING PRACTICES IN 8 COUNTRIES. IN ADDITION, NECC RUNS PRIVATE PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES, OFFERING APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING A FULL RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM.THROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOL SERVICES (PSS), NECC OPERATES PARTNER CLASSROOMS IN DOZENS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND. THIS MODEL TAKES THE EXPERIENCE OF NECC RESEARCH AND USES THE METHODOLOGY OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SO THAT STUDENTS WITH AUTISM CAN REMAIN IN THEIR DISTRICT WITH THEIR PEERS, WHILE RECEIVING THE BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE. THROUGH THIS MODEL, SKILLS ARE ADDRESSED IN 1:1 INSTRUCTION, SMALL GROUP SESSIONS AND INCLUSION PERIODS TO ENSURE THE ACQUISITION, GENERALIZATION AND MAINTENANCE OF NEW SKILLS.NECC DEVELOPED A PATENTED TECHNOLOGY, THE ACE ABA SOFTWARE SYSTEM, TO DELIVER THE CURRICULUM USED AT THE CENTER THROUGH ANY DEVICE WITH AN INTERNET CONNECTION. THE APP CONTAINS MORE THAN 2,200 SKILLS AND IS CURRENTLY BEING USED BY MORE THAN 13,000 LEARNERS WITH AUTISM AROUND THE WORLD.NECC RUNS AN INTENSIVE INSTRUCTION PROGRAM (IIP) FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM, AGE 3-22. THE SCHOOL IS OPEN YEAR-ROUND AND STUDENTS IN THE IIP RECEIVE A CONTINUUM OF INTENSIVE 1:1 INSTRUCTION. COMMUNICATION SKILLS, SOCIAL SKILLS, PRE-ACADEMIC AND ACADEMIC SKILLS, PHYSICAL THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, LEISURE, ART, MUSIC AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING ARE ALL PART OF THE PROGRAM THAT IS DESIGNED TO PREPARE EACH CHILD FOR INCLUSION WHENEVER POSSIBLE. THE IIP STRIVES TO TREAT EACH STUDENT WITH A TAILORED PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS, STRENGTHS AND ABILITIES TO BRING THEM TO THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL.

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 November 1982.

    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.