Self Initiated Living Options Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE PURPOSE OF THE SELF-INITIATED LIVING OPTION INC. D.B.A. SUFFOLK INDEPENDENT LIVING ORGANIZATION, IS TO ENABLE DISABLED CITIZENS OF SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK TO GAIN EFFECTIVE CONTROL AND DIRECTION OF THEIR LIVES. SILO STIMULATES AND PROMOTES A GROWING SENSE OF PERSONAL DIGNITY AND RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION THROUGH TRAINING, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND DIRECT SERVICES RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE.
- Income
- $5.0 million
- Spending
- $5.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- -1.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 96%
- Employees
- 85
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $98,434, 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
Weak: 34 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 110% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% 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.
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $4.6 million spent. SELF-INITIATED LIVING OPTIONS INC (SILO) IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION RUN FOR AND BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. SILO SERVES PEOPLE BY CONNECTING THEM TO RESOURCES, PROGRAMS AND PEERS TO SYSTEMS THAT ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS. SILO ENSURES THAT EVERY PERSON WITH A DISABILITY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN THEIR COMMUNITY WITH OR WITHOUT SUPPORTS. SILO IS DETERMINED THAT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY LIVE ARE UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE SO THAT THE INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY CAN ACCESS ALL THAT IS ENJOYED BY THE GENERAL POPULATION. WE BELIEVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES SHOULD BE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTAIN COMPETITIVE, INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT AND COMPENSATED ACCORDINGLY. WITH THIS GOAL SILO HAS PARTNERED AND CONTRACTED WITH NEW YORK STATE JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TECHNOLOGY RELATED AID GRANT. SILO HAS PARTNERED AND CONTRACTED WITH NYS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ADMINISTER AND PROVIDE OVERSIGHT THROUGH THE REGIONAL RESOURCE AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE NURSING HOME TRANSITION & DIVERSION WAIVER AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY WAIVER.SILO HAS PARTNERED AND CONTRACTED WITH NEW YORK ASSOCIATION ON INDEPENDENT LIVING TO ADMINISTER AND IMPLEMENT THE OPEN DOORS TRANSITION CENTER, OPEN DOORS PEER OUTREACH PROGRAM SERVICES. SILO HAS PARTNERED AND CONTRACTED WITH NEW YORK ASSOCIATION ON INDEPENDENT LIVING TO ADMINISTER AND IMPLEMENT OLMSTEAD HOUSING SUBSIDY PROGRAM AND RAPID TRANSITION HOUSING PROGRAM. SILO HAS PARTNERED AND CONTRACTED WITH NYS OFFICE FOR THE AGING TO PROVIDE NY CONNECTS SERVICES AND SILO'S FOOD PANTRY/ PERSONAL CARE CLOSET. SILO HAS PARTNERED AND CONTRACTED WITH NYS ACCES-VR TO DELIVER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: BENEFIT ADVISEMENT, CORE REHABILITATION SERVICES, AND PEER INTEGRATION PROGRAM.SILO WORKS WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND TO PROVIDE EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR TRANSITIONING STUDENTS, SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSONNEL & PARENTS. SILO ALSO PROVIDES TRANSITION PLANNING WORKSHOPS, DISABILITY AWARENESS, IN-SERVICE TRAINING, AND OTHER WORKSHOPS/SEMINARS AS NEEDED. SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM WITH JOB COACHING SUPPORTS AND EVALUATIONS/ASSESSMENT & CONSULTANT SERVICES.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.