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The Center for Discovery Inc

EIN 14-1395426 · Harris, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CENTER FOR DISCOVERY OFFERS INDIVIDUALS WITH A RANGE OF DISABILITIES AND MEDICAL FRAILTIES - AND THEIR FAMILIES - INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL, CLINICAL, RESIDENTIAL, SOCIAL AND CREATIVE ARTS EXPERIENCES DESIGNED TO ENRICH THEIR LIVES THROUGH PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT.

Income
$171.8 million
Spending
$167.5 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
-6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
2,242
Volunteers
34
Highest pay
$716,858, president and ceo

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: 47 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (diseases, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 79% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% 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 33% of charities in its peer group (diseases, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 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 (6)
  1. $82.5 million spent. RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - THE PEDIATRIC RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM IS COMPRISED OF 24 ICF'S (INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES) PROVIDING CARE FOR 156 INDIVIDUALS, AGED 5-21. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES UNIVERSALLY DESIGNED RESIDENCES THAT WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH AN INTEGRATIVE NATURE-BASED EDUCATION PROGRAM, MEDICAL AND CLINICAL SERVICES, CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIES AS WELL AS OTHER INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS. THE ADULT RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FEATURES A CONTINUUM OF CARE ACROSS 25 RESIDENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING ICF'S AND IRA'S (INDIVIDUALIZED RESIDENTIAL ALTERNATIVES) FOR 185 ADULTS, FROM AGE 21 TO SENIOR CITIZENS. THE ADULT PROGRAM EMPHASIZES PERSONAL PROGRESSION, INDIVIDUAL PREFERENCES AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION THROUGH A RANGE OF ENRICHING AND THERAPEUTIC EXPERIENCES. (EXPENSES $ 7,509,229 INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 0)(REVENUE $ 15,477,030) DAY HABILITATION - THE DAY HABILITATION PROGRAM AT THE CENTER FOR DISCOVERY SERVES 185 ADULTS, FROM AGE 21 TO SENIOR CITIZENS, WITH COMPLEX DISABILITIES, MEDICAL FRAILTIES, AND A VARIETY OF AGING ISSUES. WE STRIVE TO EMPHASIZE LIFELONG PERSONAL PROGRESSION IN RELATION TO THE SYNERGE6 MODEL OF CARE THROUGH A RANGE OF ENRICHING AND THERAPEUTIC EXPERIENCES. OPPORTUNITIES FOCUS ON REINFORCING BASIC LIFE SKILLS, FOSTERING SOCIAL EXPERIENCES, AND BUILDING A VOCATIONAL FOUNDATION. OUR CURRICULUM CONSISTS OF A VARIETY OF AREAS, INCLUDING FIBER ARTS, CREATIVE ARTS, HERBAL PRODUCTION, FARM INTEGRATION, AND OTHER AREAS OF IDENTIFIED INTEREST. (EXPENSES $ 5,939,094 INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 0)(REVENUE $ 2,729,440) CLINIC SERVICES - THE DISCOVERY HEALTH CENTER IS A NYS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CERTIFIED CLINIC THAT OFFERS CENTER RESIDENTS AND INDIVIDUALS FROM THE LARGER COMMUNITY, A BROAD RANGE OF OUTPATIENT SERVICES. THE CENTER PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH/MEDICAL AND CLINICAL SERVICES, INCLUDING PRIMARY CARE AND DENTAL SERVICES, COORDINATED BY A TEAM THAT INCLUDES A MEDICAL DIRECTOR, PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS AND SPECIALISTS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, PHYSICAL THERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS. (EXPENSES $ 3,980,978 INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 0)(REVENUE $ 652,627) GRANTS FROM GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES - THERAPISTS, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS.
  2. $44.7 million spent. EDUCATION PROGRAM - THE CENTER FOR DISCOVERY (TCFD) IS THE LARGEST PROVIDER IN NEW YORK STATE FOR CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX CONDITIONS, INCLUDING AUTISM. WE CURRENTLY ARE APPROVED TO SERVE 420 STUDENTS AGES 5-22: 164 RESIDENTIAL AND 256 DAY STUDENTS. OUR PROGRAM INTEGRATES SPECIAL EDUCATION, CLINICAL SERVICES (INCLUDING OCCUPATIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND SPEECH THERAPY), BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION BY BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS, REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY, ADAPTIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND ARTS-BASED THERAPIES, ALL WITHIN UNIVERSALLY DESIGNED SPACES AND A NATURE-BASED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. CERTIFIED BY BOTH NYSED AND OPWDD, THE SCHOOL AND RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS OPERATE SEAMLESSLY, IMPLEMENTING OUR SYNERGE6 CURRICULUM AS OUR FRAMEWORK FOR INSTRUCTION TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF CARE AND EDUCATION. LENGTH OF STAY IS INDIVIDUALIZED. SOME STUDENTS REMAIN AT TCFD THROUGH GRADUATION AT AGE 22, WHILE OTHERS TRANSITION EARLIER TO A LESS RESTRICTIVE LEVEL OF CARE WITHIN THE NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT (NYSED) CONTINUUM OF SERVICES. ALL ADMISSION, TRANSITION, AND DISCHARGE PLANS ARE COLLABORATIVELY DEVELOPED, GOAL-ORIENTED, AND STUDENT-CENTERED.
  3. $8.9 million spent. CHILDREN'S SPECIALTY HOSPITAL - THE CENTER FOR DISCOVERY'S FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND CHILDREN'S SPECIALTY HOSPITAL IS TRANSFORMING THE STANDARD OF CARE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH COMPLEX CONDITIONS. THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES SPECIALIZED, SHORT-TERM CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX DISABILITIES, ALONG WITH SUPPORT AND TRAINING FOR THEIR FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS, AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THE SPECIALTY HOSPITAL'S INTENSIVE, INTEGRATED TREATMENT MODEL ENABLES EACH CHILD TO TRANSITION BACK TO THEIR HOME - AND INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES - REDUCING THE NEED FOR LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL CARE. THE HOSPITAL IS EXPECTED TO SAVE NEW YORK STATE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EACH YEAR, WITH THE GOAL OF REPLICATING THIS MODEL THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THE NATION. (EXPENSES $ 7,509,229 INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 0)(REVENUE $ 15,477,030) DAY HABILITATION - THE DAY HABILITATION PROGRAM AT THE CENTER FOR DISCOVERY SERVES 185 ADULTS, FROM AGE 21 TO SENIOR CITIZENS, WITH COMPLEX DISABILITIES, MEDICAL FRAILTIES, AND A VARIETY OF AGING ISSUES. WE STRIVE TO EMPHASIZE LIFELONG PERSONAL PROGRESSION IN RELATION TO THE SYNERGE6 MODEL OF CARE THROUGH A RANGE OF ENRICHING AND THERAPEUTIC EXPERIENCES. OPPORTUNITIES FOCUS ON REINFORCING BASIC LIFE SKILLS, FOSTERING SOCIAL EXPERIENCES, AND BUILDING A VOCATIONAL FOUNDATION. OUR CURRICULUM CONSISTS OF A VARIETY OF AREAS, INCLUDING FIBER ARTS, CREATIVE ARTS, HERBAL PRODUCTION, FARM INTEGRATION, AND OTHER AREAS OF IDENTIFIED INTEREST. (EXPENSES $ 5,939,094 INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 0)(REVENUE $ 2,729,440) CLINIC SERVICES - THE DISCOVERY HEALTH CENTER IS A NYS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CERTIFIED CLINIC THAT OFFERS CENTER RESIDENTS AND INDIVIDUALS FROM THE LARGER COMMUNITY, A BROAD RANGE OF OUTPATIENT SERVICES. THE CENTER PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH/MEDICAL AND CLINICAL SERVICES, INCLUDING PRIMARY CARE AND DENTAL SERVICES, COORDINATED BY A TEAM THAT INCLUDES A MEDICAL DIRECTOR, PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS AND SPECIALISTS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, PHYSICAL THERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS. (EXPENSES $ 3,980,978 INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 0)(REVENUE $ 652,627) GRANTS FROM GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES - THERAPISTS, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS.
  4. $7.5 million spent. DAY HABILITATION - THE DAY HABILITATION PROGRAM AT THE CENTER FOR DISCOVERY SERVES 185 ADULTS, FROM AGE 21 TO SENIOR CITIZENS, WITH COMPLEX DISABILITIES, MEDICAL FRAILTIES, AND A VARIETY OF AGING ISSUES. WE STRIVE TO EMPHASIZE LIFELONG PERSONAL PROGRESSION IN RELATION TO THE SYNERGE6 MODEL OF CARE THROUGH A RANGE OF ENRICHING AND THERAPEUTIC EXPERIENCES. OPPORTUNITIES FOCUS ON REINFORCING BASIC LIFE SKILLS, FOSTERING SOCIAL EXPERIENCES, AND BUILDING A VOCATIONAL FOUNDATION. OUR CURRICULUM CONSISTS OF A VARIETY OF AREAS, INCLUDING FIBER ARTS, CREATIVE ARTS, HERBAL PRODUCTION, FARM INTEGRATION, AND OTHER AREAS OF IDENTIFIED INTEREST.
  5. $5.9 million spent. CLINIC SERVICES - THE DISCOVERY HEALTH CENTER IS A NYS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CERTIFIED CLINIC THAT OFFERS CENTER RESIDENTS AND INDIVIDUALS FROM THE LARGER COMMUNITY, A BROAD RANGE OF OUTPATIENT SERVICES. THE CENTER PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH/MEDICAL AND CLINICAL SERVICES, INCLUDING PRIMARY CARE AND DENTAL SERVICES, COORDINATED BY A TEAM THAT INCLUDES A MEDICAL DIRECTOR, PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS AND SPECIALISTS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, PHYSICAL THERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS.
  6. $4.0 million spent. GRANTS FROM GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES - THERAPISTS, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS.

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

  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 December 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 October 1956.

    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.