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Hillcrest Educational Centers Inc

EIN 04-2848510 · Pittsfield, 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 ORGANIZATION OFFERS EDUCATIONAL AND RESIDENTIAL SERVICES TO SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS OPERATE 24 HOURS PER DAY, 7 DAYS PER WEEK AND 365 DAYS PER YEAR AND PROVIDE A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL SERVICES. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERS A SMALL DAY PROGRAM PRIMARILY FOR LOCAL SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN.

Income
$52.0 million
Spending
$49.0 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
734
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$404,234, 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 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. $13.4 million spent. HILLCREST CENTER RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAM (HIGHPOINT) - THIS PROGRAM IS A TRAUMA INFORMED CARE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT SETTING FOR STUDENTS WITH A VARIETY OF HIGH-RISK BEHAVIORS AND MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES SPECIALIZED TREATMENT FOR HIGH-RISK BEHAVIORS INCLUDING, PHYSICAL AGGRESSION, SELF-INJURY AND SUICIDAL IDEATION, SUBSTANCE USE AND FIRE SETTING, AMONG MANY OTHERS. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PROGRAMMING THAT IS INDIVIDUALIZED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EACH STUDENT. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES AN ON-SITE YEAR ROUND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AS WELL AS A STRUCTURED RESIDENTIAL AND MILIEU ENVIRONMENT. STUDENTS ARE ALSO PROVIDED WITH VOCATIONAL AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS. OUR MEDICAL SERVICES INCLUDE ROUTINE MEDICAL CARE DELIVERED BY NURSES ON-SITE AS WELL AS PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES AN INTENSELY STRUCTURED, THERAPEUTIC AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WITH HIGH STAFF-TO-STUDENT RATIOS. THIS ALLOWS THE STUDENTS TO LEARN NEW SKILLS INCLUDING COPING SKILLS, EMOTIONAL REGULATION SKILLS, MINDFULNESS SKILLS AND INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP SKILLS TO HELP THEM BECOME MORE SUCCESSFUL AS THEY PREPARE FOR TRANSITION TO A LOWER LEVEL OF CARE OR COMMUNITY SETTING.
  2. $10.8 million spent. INTENSIVE TREATMENT UNIT PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM STRIVES TO BREAK THE DEBILITATING CYCLE OF MULTIPLE FAILED PLACEMENTS AND REPEATED HOSPITALIZATIONS EXPERIENCED BY OUR STUDENTS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES CRISIS STABILIZATION AND COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH SEVERE BEHAVIORAL AND PSYCHIATRIC CHALLENGES. ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF CARE AND TREATMENT INCLUDE SPECIALIZED THERAPEUTIC SERVICES, SMALL CLASSROOM SETTINGS WITH ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE READILY AVAILABLE, PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES, NURSING SERVICES, REHABILITATION SERVICES SUCH AS SPEECH AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY. THE PROGRAM FACILITY IS LOCATED IN THE BERKSHIRE HILLS OF GREAT BARRINGTON, MA.
  3. $10.0 million spent. AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM - OFFERS HIGHLY SPECIALIZED DAY AND INTENSIVE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AT ALL LEVELS OF THE AUTISM SPECTRUM. THE PROGRAM'S HIGH STAFF-TO-STUDENT RATIO ENSURES A SAFE, CARING AND HIGHLY STRUCTURED TREATMENT ENVIRONMENT. TO MONITOR PROGRESS, THE ORGANIZATION USES STATE-OF-THE-ART COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS SYSTEMS FOR ONGOING ASSESSMENTS OF SOCIAL NEEDS, COMMUNICATION, ACADEMIC/SKILL ACQUISITION, VOCATIONAL NEEDS, RECREATION AND BEHAVIORAL DIFFICULITIES. THE PROGRAM FACILITY IS LOCATED IN THE BERKSHIRES OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, AND HAS BEEN SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE SAFETY AND SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE AUTISM POPULATION.
  4. $10.0 million spent. OTHER TREATMENT RELATED PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE DAY TREATMENT AND EDUCATION UNIT PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES A SAFE, THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS CAN LEARN TO THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL. THE SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN RECEIVE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION, COUNSELING AND SUPPORT SERVICES THEY NEED TO LEARN AND BE SUCCESSFUL. OTHER TREATMENT RELATED PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES PROGRAM AND THE ASD DAY PROGRAM.

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 1985.

    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.