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Westchester Independent Living

EIN 13-3171162 · White Plains, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WESTCHESTER INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER ("THE CENTER") IS THE LEADING COMMUNITY ADVOCATE, DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILIITIES BY PROMOTING INDIVIDUAL SELF DETERMINATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS, SOCIETAL CHANGE AND FULL ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$7.4 million
Spending
$7.4 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 94%
Employees
101
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$220,727, executive di

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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 83% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% 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. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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 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 (5)
  1. $801,767 spent. THE INDEPENDENT LIVING (IL) SERVICES ARE THE CORE SERVICES THAT ARE GEARED TOWARDS PROMOTING SELF HELP, EQUAL ACCESS, PERSONAL GROWTH AND EMPOWERMENT. IL SERVICES INCLUDE: INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS ADVISEMENT, PEER ADVISEMENT, DEAF SERVICES AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS. THE INDEPENDENT LIVING TEAM WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO MUTUALLY EXPLORE THEIR INDEPENDENT LIVING NEEDS AND DEVELOP A PLAN TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. PEER ADVISORS SERVE AS GUIDES TO OFFER EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND PRACTICAL ADVICE ON DISABILITY RELATED ISSUES AND CONCERNS WHILE THE INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPS THEIR GOALS. THEY MEET ON AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP BASIS TO HELP FACILITATE THE TRANSITION BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. THE CENTER PROVIDES TRAINING FOR EVERYDAY LIFE SKILLS SUCH AS ARRANGING FOR TRANSPORT, JOB SEEKING, MONEY MANAGEMENT, WHEEL CHAIR MAINTENANCE AND ACCESSING TECHNOLOGY. THE INDEPENDENT LIVING (IL) SERVICES ARE THE CORE SERVICES THAT ARE GEARED TOWARDS PROMOTING SELF HELP, EQUAL ACCESS, PERSONAL GROWTH AND EMPOWERMENT. IL SERVICES INCLUDE: INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS ADVISEMENT, PEER ADVISEMENT, DEAF SERVICES AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS. THE INDEPENDENT LIVING TEAM WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO MUTUALLY EXPLORE THEIR INDEPENDENT LIVING NEEDS AND DEVELOP A PLAN TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. PEER ADVISORS SERVE AS GUIDES TO OFFER EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND PRACTICAL ADVICE ON DISABILITY RELATED ISSUES AND CONCERNS WHILE THE INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPS THEIR GOALS. THEY MEET ON AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP BASIS TO HELP FACILITATE THE TRANSITION BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. THE CENTER PROVIDES TRAINING FOR EVERYDAY LIFE SKILLS SUCH AS ARRANGING FOR TRANSPORT, JOB SEEKING, MONEY MANAGEMENT, WHEEL CHAIR MAINTENANCE AND ACCESSING TECHNOLOGY.
  2. $3.8 million spent. TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY PROGRAM PROVIDES INFORMATION, REFERRAL AND SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE CENTER ASSISTS IN RELOCATING PEOPLE FROM OUT-OF-STATE FACILITIES TO COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL AND DAY PROGRAMS AND HELP INDIVIDUALS CURRENTLY RESIDING IN NURSING HOMES, PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES OR IN THEIR FAMILY HOMES TO BE RE-SITUATED INTO MORE APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY SETTINGS. THE NURSING HOME TRANSITION AND DIVERSION PROGRAM IDENTIFIES, ASSESSES AND PLANS THE TRANSITION OF NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WHO ARE EAGER TO AND CAPABLE OF RETURNING TO COMMUNITY LIVING SETTINGS OF THEIR CHOOSING AND ASSIST IN THE DIVERSION OF PERSONS AT RISK OF BEING PLACED IN A SKILLED NURSING FACILITY. MONEY FOLLOWS THE PERSON PROJECT GOALS ARE TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDULAS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MOVING FROM AN INSTITUTIONAL SETTING TO COMMUNITY-BASED SETTING. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT IS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE SERVICES SHOULD THEY WANT TO TRANSITION OUT OF A NURSING HOME. OLMSTEAD HOUSING AND RAPID TRANSITION HOUSING PROGRAMS ASSISTS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES,TRANSITION FROM NURSING HOMES AND REHABS BY LOCATING HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY. TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY PROGRAM PROVIDES INFORMATION, REFERRAL AND SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE CENTER ASSISTS IN RELOCATING PEOPLE FROM OUT-OF-STATE FACILITIES TO COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL AND DAY PROGRAMS AND HELP INDIVIDUALS CURRENTLY RESIDING IN NURSING HOMES, PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES OR IN THEIR FAMILY HOMES TO BE RE-SITUATED INTO MORE APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY SETTINGS. THE NURSING HOME TRANSITION AND DIVERSION PROGRAM IDENTIFIES, ASSESSES AND PLANS THE TRANSITION OF NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WHO ARE EAGER TO AND CAPABLE OF RETURNING TO COMMUNITY LIVING SETTINGS OF THEIR CHOOSING AND ASSIST IN THE DIVERSION OF PERSONS AT RISK OF BEING PLACED IN A SKILLED NURSING FACILITY. MONEY FOLLOWS THE PERSON PROJECT GOALS ARE TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDULAS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MOVING FROM AN INSTITUTIONAL SETTING TO COMMUNITY-BASED SETTING. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT IS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE SERVICES SHOULD THEY WANT TO TRANSITION OUT OF A NURSING HOME. OLMSTEAD HOUSING AND RAPID TRANSITION HOUSING PROGRAMS ASSISTS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES,TRANSITION FROM NURSING HOMES AND REHABS BY LOCATING HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY.
  3. $822,557 spent. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION READINESS TRAINING PROGRAM IS BASED ON SELF-AWARENESS, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND EMPOWERMENT.ITS CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND SUPPORTS THAT WILL ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO SUCCESSFULLY ENGAGE THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROCESS THROUGH CLASSROOM TRAINING AND ONE-ON-ONE PEER MENTORING AND FOLLOW-UP SERVICES.
  4. $1.1 million spent. NY CONNECTS PROGRAM WORKS CLOSELY WITH LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF AGING AND PROVIDES INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY, SENIOR, OR PROFESSIONAL. MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES THROUGH PEER ADVOCACY AND SYSTEMS ADVOCACY TO PERSONS LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITY. THE PARENT TRAINING AND INFORMATION PROGRAM OFFERS WORKSHOPS AND SUPPORT FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES TO HELP THEM GAIN THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THEY NEED TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THE CENTER DEVELOPED CURRICULUM AND PERFORMED TRAINING SESSIONS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ON DISABILITY AWARENESS, BASIC SIGN LANGUAGE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. VETERANS DIRECTED CARE (VDC)PROGRAM PROVIDES IN-HOME SERVICES TO VETERANS SO THAT COULD STAY IN THEIR HOMES VS. NURSING HOMES. SOCIAL CARE NETWORK PROGRAM PROVIDES CARE MANAGMENT TO ACCESS SERVICES SUCH AS HOUSING, NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT, ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS AND BEHAVIORAL SERVICES.
  5. NY CONNECTS PROGRAM WORKS CLOSELY WITH LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF AGING AND PROVIDES INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY, SENIOR, OR PROFESSIONAL. MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES THROUGH PEER ADVOCACY AND SYSTEMS ADVOCACY TO PERSONS LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITY. THE PARENT TRAINING AND INFORMATION PROGRAM OFFERS WORKSHOPS AND SUPPORT FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES TO HELP THEM GAIN THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THEY NEED TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THE CENTER DEVELOPED CURRICULUM AND PERFORMED TRAINING SESSIONS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ON DISABILITY AWARENESS, BASIC SIGN LANGUAGE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. VETERANS DIRECTED CARE (VDC)PROGRAM PROVIDES IN-HOME SERVICES TO VETERANS SO THAT COULD STAY IN THEIR HOMES VS. NURSING HOMES. SOCIAL CARE NETWORK PROGRAM PROVIDES CARE MANAGMENT TO ACCESS SERVICES SUCH AS HOUSING, NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT, ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS AND BEHAVIORAL 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

  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 September 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 February 1984.

    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.