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Shield of David Inc DBA the Shield Institute

EIN 13-1740041 · Flushing, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ORGANIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED. OUR MISSION IS TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO ENABLE CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO LEAD MEANINGFUL LIVES. OUR FOCUS IS ON FOSTERING EACH INDIVIDUAL'S INDEPENDENCE AS A FULL-FLEDGED MEMBER OF HIS OR HER FAMILY AND COMMUNITY, AND COLLABORATING IN FAMILIES' LIFE-LONG EFFORTS TO PROVIDE RICH LIVES FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

Income
$33.1 million
Spending
$34.6 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
352
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$249,048, exec. 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: 53 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 66% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

    10 of 10 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 (3)
  1. $15.9 million spent. EDUCATION SERVICES / SCHOOL PROGRAMS: PROVIDED TO OVER 420 STUDENTS. PRESCHOOL PROGRAM PROVIDES MULTIDISCIPLINARY EVALUATIONS, SPECIAL EDUCATION AND RELATED SERVICES TO CHILDREN, AGES 3 TO 5 IN A CHILD CENTERED CLASSROOM SETTING. SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN WHO DISPLAY CHARACTERISTICS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM INCLUDE STRUCTURED TEACHING, AIDED LANGUAGE, AND VISUAL SUPPORTS. PRESCHOOL ALSO INCLUDES INTEGRATED CLASSES THAT PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO LEARN AND PLAY WITH TYPICALLY DEVELOPING CHILDREN. ALSO, OUR SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM PROVIDES SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMING, PERSON CENTERED PLANNING, SPEECH, COUNSELING, OCCUPATIONAL AND PHYSICAL THERAPY TO CHILDREN AGES 6 TO 21 WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY.
  2. $12.4 million spent. DAY HABILITATION / SUPPORT SERVICES: FULL TIME ADULT DAY AND SUPPLEMENTAL EVENING PROGRAMS SERVING OVER 500 CLIENTS WHERE WE PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR A VARIETY OF GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL INTEREST AND LIFE GOALS. CENTER BASED AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES PROVIDE LIFE EXPERIENCES TO ENHANCE OPPORTUNITY, INDEPENDENCE AND INCLUSION IN THE COMMUNITIES. SATURDAY SERVICES PROVIDE ENHANCED OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIALIZATION, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION. SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN OTHER DAY ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE THEIR ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMUNITY.
  3. $2.5 million spent. CLINIC & OTHER FUNDING SOURCES: PROVIDED TO OVER 650 CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY/DISABILITIES. SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL WORK, SPEECH, REHABILITATIVE COUNSELING, OCCUPATIONAL, PHYSICAL THERAPY AND NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING TO INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS. SPECIALTY SERVICES INCLUDE AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION, EVALUATION AND TREATMENT, EATING AND SWALLOWING EVALUATION AND TREATMENT AND PSYCHOSEXUAL ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT.

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 November 6, 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 November 1937.

    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 November 4, 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.