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Passes our checks

Sco Family of Services

EIN 11-2777066 · Garden City, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SCO FAMILY OF SERVICES WORKS WITH NEW YORK'S MOST VULNERABLE - THOSE STRIVING TO OVERCOME THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF POVERTY, NEGLECT, ABUSE OR DEVELOPMENTAL AND MENTAL CHALLENGES. WE RESPOND TO MOMENTS OF CRISIS AND PREVENT CRISES BEFORE THEY OCCUR WITH A COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF SERVICES. WE GIVE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THE SUPPORT AND TOOLS NEEDED FOR A HEALTHY, STABLE AND SUCCESSFUL FUTURE, BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE AREA.

Income
$266.8 million
Spending
$261.4 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
3,215
Volunteers
49
Highest pay
$487,680, 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 97% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 28% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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. $76.0 million spent. FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION:SCO HELPS PARENTS ESTABLISH STRONG FAMILY BONDS, PROVIDING FAMILY COUNSELING, LITERACY AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO SUPPORT FAMILY LIFE. WE ENGAGE FAMILIES TO CREATE STRONGER COMMUNITIES, STABILIZE FAMILIES IN CRISIS, KEEP CHILDREN SAFE AND WORK WITH PARENTS TO AVOID OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT. FOR CHILDREN WHO CANNOT LIVE AT HOME, SCO PROVIDES FOSTER BOARDING HOMES, THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE AND GROUP RESIDENCE CARE. OUR FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS SERVE MORE THAN 597 CHILDREN IN FAMILY FOSTER HOMES, GROUP HOMES AND OTHER RESIDENTIAL SETTINGS IN ADDITION TO OFFERING PROGRAMS THAT STRIVE TO REUNITE CHILDREN WITH THEIR FAMILIES. SCO WORKS WITH CHILDREN, YOUNG ADULTS AND FAMILIES PROVIDING NECESSARY SUPPORTS TO PROMOTE INDIVIDUAL GROWTH, SUPPORT FAMILY LIFE AND CREATE STRONG, VIBRANT FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.
  2. $73.9 million spent. SPECIAL NEEDS & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES:SCO PROVIDES EXPERT CARE TO OVER 5,000 CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS THROUGH A BROAD CONTINUUM OF SUPPORT, RESIDENTIAL AND TREATMENT SERVICES THAT UNLOCK POTENTIAL AND HELP THEM LEAD FULL AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES. WE PROVIDE SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH EMOTIONAL DISORDERS NEEDED TO LIVE AND FUNCTION IN THE COMMUNITY. WE OFFER HIGHLY STRUCTURED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES, CRISIS RESPITE, ASSESSMENT, CASE PLANNING AND CASE COORDINATION, CLINICAL SUPPORT AND TREATMENT, COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES AND IN-HOME SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WHO LIVE WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND OTHER CAREGIVERS.SCO HELPS CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND BECOME PARTICIPATING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH A VARIETY OF IN HOME HABILITATIVE SERVICES, RESIDENCES AND SUPPORTIVE CAREGIVERS STRUCTURED TO PERMIT CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO STRIVE TO BECOME AS INDEPENDENT AS POSSIBLE.
  3. $28.7 million spent. EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICESSCO'S EDUCATION & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS HELP MORE THAN 10,000 YOUNG PEOPLE REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. WE LAUNCH YOUTH INTO ADULTHOOD WITH SUPPORT AND SERVICES THAT ADDRESS THEIR EDUCATIONAL, EMOTIONAL, AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND AMBITIONS. WE PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO YOUTH WHO ARE HOMELESS, PARENTING, LGBTQ, OR COURT-INVOLVED. OUR AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS PROVIDE ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT AND RECREATION FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. WE OFFER SPECIALIZED SCHOOLS FOR TEENS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, OR WHO ARE UNDER-CREDITED AND NOT ON TRACK TO GRADUATE. WE BELIEVE THAT WITH THE RIGHT SUPPORT, YOUTH OF ALL BACKGROUNDS CAN SUCCEED AND THRIVE.
  4. $50.9 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OPERATED OTHER PROGRAMS DURING FY25 WHICH INCLUDED: SHELTERS AND HOMELESS SERVICES:, EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES.

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 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 June 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 June 2014.

    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.