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Star Inc Lighting the Way

EIN 06-0726489 · Norwalk, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STAR, INC., LIGHTING THE WAY, IS A NOT FOR PROFIT THAT PROVIDES SERVICES AND SUPPORTS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (IDD) AND THEIR FAMILIES, HELPING THEM REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.

Income
$19.5 million
Spending
$18.3 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
294
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$204,052, executive director

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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 39% 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 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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. $10.1 million spent. STAR, INC., LIGHTING THE WAY PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE LICENSED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES THAT SUPPORT 79 INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ACROSS 16 LOCATIONS IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. THE PROGRAMS INCLUDE: 12 DDS LICENSED GROUP HOMES (CLA'S), 7 DDS LICENSED CONDOS AND 1 DDS LICENSED APARTMENT. ALL RESIDENTIAL SETTING PROVIDES UP TO 24-HOUR SUPERVISION, PERSON CENTERED SUPPORT, AND INDIVIDUALIZED PLANNING TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE, SAFETY AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION. SERVICES FOCUS ON DAILY LIVING SKILLS, PERSONAL CARE, BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS, HEALTH MANAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION. STAR ALSO OFFERS IN HOME SUPPORTS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVING INDEPENDENTLY OR WITH FAMILY BUT REQUIRE ASSISTANCE WITH DAILY ACTIVITIES.
  2. $5.0 million spent. STAR'S EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM SUPPORTED 55 JOBS FOR 47 INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD (SEVERAL WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS). THE GROUP WORKED AN AVERAGE OF 564 HOURS PER WEEK IN LOCAL TOWNS, SUPPORTED THROUGH JOB COACHES. THE AVERAGE TENURE OF JOBS SUPPORTED IN THE COMMUNITY IS 9.37 YEARS. STAR'S DAY PROGRAM SUPPORTS 179 INDIVIDUALS ACROSS FOUR LOCATIONS, PROVIDING INDIVIDUALIZED, PERSON-CENTERED SUPPORTS. THESE PROGRAMS OFFER A STRUCTURED AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOCUSING ON ENHANCING LIFE SKILLS, SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT, VOLUNTEERISM, AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION. OUR SERVICES ARE TAILORED TO MEET A WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS, INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR 20 AGING ADULTS WITH IDD THROUGH OUR SENIORS PROGRAM.
  3. $479,045 spent. THE STAR RUBINO PEDIATRIC THERAPY CENTER IS A CENTER FOR EARLY THERAPIES AND EDUCATION TO CHILDREN FROM BIRTH EIGHT YEARS OF AGE, UTILIZING HUSKY, PRIVATE PAY AND INSURANCE BILLING. THE CENTER SUPPORTS ABOUT 34 CHILDREN MONTHLY, SUPPORTING 31 UNIQUE DIAGNOSIS AND PROVIDED 975 THERAPY SESSIONS. THE CENTER PROVIDES PHYSICAL THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, SPEECH THERAPY AND HIPPOTHERAPY. THERE IS A STRONG EMPHASIS ON INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORTS WITH STRONG COLLABORATION BETWEEN THERAPIST AND FAMILY MEMBERS.
  4. $241,273 spent. OVER 130 FAMILIES RECEIVED FAMILY SUPPORT ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM CALLED JUMPSTAR'S. SUPPORT INCLUDED: COFFEE MEET-UP, PARENTS GET TOGETHERS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON IEP'S, WILL TRUST, GUARDIANSHIP, AND ISSUES SPECIFIC TO CHILDREN'S NEEDS. STAR ALSO ASSISTS FAMILIES BY ATTENDING PPT MEETINGS, IEP PLANNING, REFERRALS TO CAMP, DAY CARE, TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO ADULT SERVICES, COLLEGE PLANNING, DDS ELIGIBILITY, RESPITE, IDENTIFYING ADVOCATES, ATTORNEYS, AND ACCESSING OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES.

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 May 1954.

    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.