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A Very Special Place Inc

EIN 13-3005006 · Staten Island, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO LEAD FULLER LIVES THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OFFERING GUIDANCE, SUPPORT, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACHIEVING INDEPENDENCE, SELF-FULFILLMENT, AND FULL COMMUNITY INCLUSION.

Income
$51.0 million
Spending
$50.2 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
1,364
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$234,933, 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: 51 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 57% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 (5)
  1. $28.7 million spent. FISCAL INTERMEDIARY - WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO SELF DIRECT THE SERVICES THEY WANT WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY. PROVIDE SERVICES WITHIN STATEN ISLAND, BROOKLYN AND MANHATTAN SERVED APPROXIMATELY 900 INDIVIDUALS.
  2. $8.5 million spent. RESIDENTIAL HABILITATION SERVICES - PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WHO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY WHETHER IN SUPPORTIVE APARTMENTS OR IN SUPERVISED INDIVIDUALIZED RESIDENTIAL ALTERNATIVES. SERVED APPROXIMATELY 68 INDIVIDUALS.
  3. $7.7 million spent. DAY HABILITATION CENTERS - OUR DAY HAB CENTERS PROVIDE LEARNING AND ENHANCING OF SKILLS TO LIVE FULLER LIVES WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES, FROM BASIC LIVING SKILLS TO ATTAINING EMPLOYMENT. RESPITE PROGRAMS ALSO LOCATED AT GRASMERE, PROVIDE RECREATIONAL AND SOCIAL SUPPORTS FOR EACH PERSON TO LIVE A FULLER MORE INDEPENDENT LIFE. THE CENTERS ARE LOCATED IN NEW DORP AND GRASMERE, AND SERVE OVER 520 PEOPLE 6 DAYS A WEEK.
  4. $1.5 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE SELF-DIRECTED SERVICES, COMMUNITY CENTER, COMMUNITY HABITATION, SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT, AND RESPITE PROGRAMS.
  5. (Expenses $ 1,485,244 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE SELF-DIRECTED SERVICES, COMMUNITY CENTER, COMMUNITY HABITATION, SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT, AND RESPITE PROGRAMS.

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 March 1980.

    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.

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