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Passes our checks

The Michael Lisnow Respite Center Inc

EIN 04-3237284 · Hopkinton, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong92 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE MICHAEL LISNOW RESPITE CENTER IS TO SERVE AND ENRICH OUR COMMUNITIES BY PARTNERING WITH FAMILIES TO PROVIDE DAILY, ESSENTIAL, PERSONALIZED CARE AND SUPPORT FOR THEIR LOVED ONES WITH DISABILITIES.

Income
$4.5 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
21.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
70
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$155,563, residential director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    3 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 May 31, 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. $4.0 million spent. THE ORGANIZATIONS SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: ADULT DAY PROGRAM - FOR INDIVIDUALS AGE 22 AND OLDER. THIS PROGRAM CONCENTRATES ON TEACHING THE DAILY LIVING SKILLS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE. GOALS RANGE FROM ACTIVITIES OF DAILY INDEPENDENT LIVING TO LEARNING HOW TO INTERACT IN A PUBLIC PLACE.
  2. INFANT/TODDLER PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO THREE YEARS. DURING THIS PROGRAM, CHILDREN RECEIVE THE PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, AND DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPIES THEY NEED COMBINED WITH WATER PLAY, CRAFTS AND FUN. THESE ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE AROUND MEDICATION, TUBE FEEDINGS, AND MEDICAL PROCEDURES.
  3. 24-HOUR CARE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM - FACILITATED THROUGH OUR FOUR RESIDENTIAL HOMES, THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES 24-HOUR RESIDENTIAL CARE IN COMMUNITY SETTINGS FOR ADULTS WITH COMPLEX NEEDS, BOTH PHYSICAL AND MEDICALLY.
  4. THE AFTER SCHOOL RESPITE PROGRAM IS A TIME WHEN TEENAGE CHILDREN FROM THE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER THEIR SERVICES. VOLUNTEERS ASSIST IN FEEDING DURING THE DINNER HOUR. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES THE GREATEST COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND AS A RESULT OF THESE WEEKLY SERVICES, THE TEENAGE VOLUNTEERS HAVE FORMED WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE CENTER'S RESPITE CHILDREN.
  5. PROVIDE TEMPORARY CARE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.