The Arc of the United States
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ARC OF THE UNITED STATES (THE ARC) PROMOTES AND PROTECTS THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (IDD) AND ACTIVELY SUPPORTS THEIR FULL INCLUSION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIMES.
- Income
- $10.9 million
- Spending
- $12.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 1.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 50%
- Employees
- 52
- Volunteers
- 49
- Highest pay
- $583,967, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 38% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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)
- $3.8 million spent. THE ARC OF THE UNITED STATES (THE ARC) IS CONSTANTLY STRIVING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE WITH IDD AND THEIR FAMILIES, INCLUDING BY PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF BEST PRACTICES IN PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR PEOPLE WITH IDD. THE ARC'S SPECIAL PROJECTS ADVANCE THE FIELD OF PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR PEOPLE WITH IDD AND THEIR FAMILIES AS FOLLOWS: PROGRAM INNOVATION:THE ARC'S HEALTH PROGRAMS HAVE STARTED A THREE-YEAR PROJECT TO PROMOTE AND PROVIDE EDUCATION AND TRAINING ON PEOPLE WITH IDD AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS. THE NATIONAL CENTER ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND DISABILITY WORKED TO EDUCATE LAW ENFORCEMENT, COURT AND CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH IDD IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE WINGS FOR AUTISM/WINGS FOR ALL PROJECT, WHICH PROVIDES AN AIRPORT TRAVEL SIMULATION FOR CHILDREN WITH AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER OR OTHER DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES, IS BEGINNING TO GAIN MOMENTUM SINCE COVID-19. THE CENTER FOR FUTURE PLANNING PROVIDES AN ONLINE RESOURCE CENTER TO ASSIST ADULTS WITH IDD AND THEIR FAMILIES TO PLAN FOR THEIR FUTURE NEEDS, AND TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR CHAPTERS OF THE ARC TO SUPPORT THEM. THE ARC IS WORKING WITH SEVENTEEN STATE TEAMS TO FURTHER RESOURCE USE WITHIN THEIR STATE. THE ARC'S TECH PROGRAMS PROVIDE ONLINE RESOURCES TO ASSIST PEOPLE WITH IDD AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ACCESS THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT THEIR LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY. THE INCLUSIVE VOLUNTEERISM PROJECT ENGAGED PEOPLE WITH IDD IN VOLUNTEERISM AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AT SITES ACROSS THE NATION. THE ARC@SCHOOL PROGRAM PROVIDES RESOURCES AND INFORMATION TO FAMILIES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH IDD TO OBTAIN THE SERVICES THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL. VARIOUS OF THESE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES CONTINUED TO BE PRODUCED IN ONLINE FORMATS DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
- $3.3 million spent. PUBLIC POLICY:THE ARC OF THE UNITED STATES (THE ARC) ADVOCATED TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE CIVIL RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH IDD AND FOR FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND SUPPORTS THAT ENABLE THEM TO BE FULLY INCLUDED IN ALL ASPECTS OF COMMUNITY LIFE. THE ARC MONITORED DEVELOPMENTS IN FEDERAL PUBLIC POLICY, INCLUDING LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS, LITIGATION AND JUDICIAL DECISIONS, OF IMPORTANCE TO PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (IDD) AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE ARC REGULARLY INFORMED CHAPTER LEADERS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, THE MEDIA, LEADERS OF OTHER NONPROFITS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD THROUGH AN EMAIL NEWSLETTER, PERIODIC SPECIAL REPORTS AND ALERTS AND CONTENT POSTED TO THE ARC'S WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA. EDUCATIONAL AND ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES CUT ACROSS A BROAD RANGE OF TOPICS, SUCH AS HEALTH CARE, LONG TERM SUPPORTS AND SERVICES, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, CIVIL RIGHTS, SOCIAL SECURITY AND MORE. THE ARC ALSO REGULARLY EDUCATED AND INFORMED ELECTED AND APPOINTED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ABOUT THE NEEDS, INTERESTS AND CONCERNS OF PEOPLE WITH IDD AND THEIR FAMILIES AND ABOUT THE LIKELY IMPACT OF POLICY PROPOSALS. INPUT WAS PROVIDED TO CONGRESS, THE ADMINISTRATION, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND OFFICIALS THROUGH WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE, ORAL AND WRITTEN TESTIMONY AND FACE-TO-FACE AND VIRTUAL MEETINGS. THE ARC ALSO PARTICIPATED IN, AND PROVIDED LEADERSHIP FOR, A NUMBER OF FORMAL AND INFORMAL COALITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS INVOLVED IN RELATED EFFORTS.
- $2.8 million spent. CHAPTER LEADERSHIP, VOLUNTEER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:THE ARC OF THE UNITED STATES (THE ARC) SUPPORTED A NETWORK OF NEARLY 550 AFFILIATED STATE AND LOCAL CHAPTERS THAT ADVOCATED ON BEHALF OF, AND PROVIDED SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (IDD) AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE ARC PROMOTED BEST PRACTICES IN ACCESS, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION THROUGH A SERIES OF CHAPTER WEBINARS AND PROMOTED BEST PRACTICES IN PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR PEOPLE WITH IDD. THE ARC KEPT CHAPTERS INFORMED OF CRITICAL INFORMATION AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD, INCLUDING IN SUBJECT AREAS SUCH AS EARLY INTERVENTION, INTEGRATED EDUCATION, TRANSITION, SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT, SUPPORTED AND INDEPENDENT LIVING, HEALTH CARE, DECISION-MAKING SUPPORTS, FINANCIAL PLANNING AND RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. SUPPORT WAS PROVIDED TO BOARD MEMBERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF OF THE AFFILIATED CHAPTERS THROUGH A BI-WEEKLY EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FUSION), A STATE CHAPTER RETREAT, PERIODIC VIDEO CONFERENCES FOR CHAPTER LEADERS, PERIODIC WEBINARS, AN ANNUAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE, A NATIONAL CONVENTION, WRITTEN EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, EMAIL DISCUSSION GROUPS, EXTENSIVE CONTENT AVAILABLE ONLINE, AND ONE-TO-ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE VIA TELEPHONE AND EMAIL. PROGRAMMING WAS CONDUCTED USING VIRTUAL MEETING TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.THE ARC PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS TO ORGANIZE NEW CHAPTERS OF THE ARC, AND TO STRENGTHEN AND STABILIZE EXISTING CHAPTERS, SO THAT THEY MAY EFFECTIVELY ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF AND SERVE THEIR CONSTITUENTS AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL. THE ARC ALSO PROMOTED INFORMATION SHARING AND EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AMONG AND BETWEEN ALL OF OUR CHAPTERS. THE ARC EMBARKED ON A NEW CHAPTER DATA INTEGRATION PROJECT THAT WILL CREATE AN INTERACTIVE DATA EXCHANGE SYSTEM ACROSS THE ENTIRE CHAPTER NETWORK. THE GOALS OF THIS PROJECT ARE TO INCREASE THE ACCURACY OF OUR DATA COLLECTION AND DEMONSTRATE THE COLLECTIVE IMPACT OF OUR CHAPTERS, IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF CHAPTER INVOICING AND PAYMENTS, CREATE A PLATFORM FOR CHAPTER ENGAGEMENT WITH EACH OTHER, AND CREATE A CENTRALIZED SYSTEM FOR RESOURCE SHARING.
- $1.6 million spent. PUBLIC EDUCATION:THE ARC OF THE UNITED STATES (THE ARC) EDUCATED PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THEIR PARENTS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, THE MEDIA AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE NEEDS, INTERESTS, ISSUES AND CONCERNS OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (IDD) AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE ARC'S PUBLIC EDUCATION EFFORTS COVERED A BROAD RANGE OF SUBJECT AREAS, SUCH AS PUBLIC POLICY, HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND VOLUNTEERISM AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.THE ARC'S E-NEWSLETTER, EMPOWER, WAS DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION AS WELL TO OTHER INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS. THE ARC'S WEBSITES PROVIDE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ACCESS TO A BROAD RANGE OF INFORMATION AND A VARIETY OF FREE PUBLICATIONS PROVIDING PRACTICAL ADVICE ABOUT THE INCLUSION OF PEOPLE WITH IDD IN ALL ASPECTS OF COMMUNITY LIFE. SOCIAL MEDIA SITES HELP SPREAD THE INFORMATION TO A BROADER AUDIENCE. THE ARC ALSO MONITORS LOCAL AND NATIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE ABOUT PEOPLE WITH IDD, AND DEVELOPMENTS REPORTED BY STATE AND LOCAL CHAPTERS, AND INFORMS WEBSITE USERS ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS AFFECTING PEOPLE WITH IDD AND THEIR FAMILIES. OUR PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS INTRODUCE VIEWERS TO THE ARC AND WHAT'S POSSIBLE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.THE ARC RESPONDED TO HUNDREDS OF WRITTEN, PHONE, AND E-MAIL INQUIRIES FROM INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS, PROVIDING INFORMATION AND RESOURCES ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS RELATED TO IDD. INFORMATION WAS NEEDED BY MANY FAMILIES ON: AGING AND DISABILITIES, AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS, FUTURE PLANNING, HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, RARE DISORDERS, EDUCATION ISSUES, FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS, ABLE ACCOUNTS, POOLED SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS, DECISION-MAKING SUPPORTS, AND LEGAL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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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