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Adaptive Design Association Inc

EIN 13-4170232 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ADAPTIVE DESIGN ASSOCIATION ADVANCES HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING BY ENGAGING EVERYONE-NOVICE TO EXPERT-IN BUILDING CUSTOM ADAPTATIONS, DISCOVERING UNTAPPED POTENTIAL, AND NURTURING COMMUNITIES THAT THRIVE WITH DIVERSITY.

Income
$963,557
Spending
$840,917
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
9
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$91,988, 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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $611,804 spent. Adaptive Design Association (ADA) addresses a critical barrier faced by people with disabilities: access to timely, appropriate adaptive equipment. Commercial devices are often unaffordable, delayed, ill-fitting, or unavailable, leaving individuals, families, and providers without viable solutions. ADA advances healthcare, education, and social well-being by engaging communities in the design and fabrication of custom adaptations that increase independence, participation, and inclusion. Using affordable, sustainable materials such as triple-wall cardboard, ADA creates individualized equipment for people of all ages. Its trauma-informed, person- and family-centered approach engages individuals, caregivers, and care teams directly in the design process to ensure solutions are responsive and effective. In fiscal year 2025, ADA produced 273 custom adaptations for 90 clients, the majority of whom were children under age 10. ADAs Tactile Systems Program expands access to augmentative communication for people who are blind, visually impaired, or have complex communication needs. In FY25, ADA distributed more than 16,000 tactile communication cards through its partnership with the American Printing House for the Blind. With support from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind,ADA is developing an e-commerce platform to enable families and organizations to directly access customized materials. ADA also provides hands-on workshops for educators and service providers to increase adoption and effective use of tactile communication tools. ADA integrates community education across all programs, engaging volunteers, including youth with autism, in hands-on learning that builds technical skills and advances disability awareness. The Made2Learn program is a transition-focused workforce development initiative for high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since 2013, more than 200 students have gained practical design and fabrication skills while contributing to the creation of adaptive equipment for their peers and communities. In FY25, ADA began expanding Made2Learn through a two-year grant from the New York Community Trust to develop a replicable model for inclusive maker education. ADA openly shares its designs and methodologies to expand access and promote equity. Through professional development workshops, internships, and volunteer programs, ADA trains educators, therapists, engineers, and community members in adaptive design practices. In FY25, these efforts reached more than 700 individuals across a range of ages, abilities, and backgrounds. ADA also partners with corporations to support its programs and provide employee engagement opportunities through hands-on volunteer experiences. ADA envisions a future in which every community has access to adaptive design resources, ensuring greater inclusion and participation for people of all abilities.

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 July 2001.

    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.