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Abilities First Inc

EIN 14-1467427 · Wappingers Falls, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION AT ABILITIES FIRST IS TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WHO FACE DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES AND THEIR FAMILIES SUPPORT TO ATTAIN INDEPENDENCE, SELF-DETERMINATION, INTEGRATION AND ACCEPTANCE BY OTHERS THROUGH EDUCATION, EXPLORATION AND EXPERIENCE.

Income
$45.8 million
Spending
$43.9 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 97%
Employees
851
Volunteers
23
Highest pay
$365,636, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 68% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 2024, 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)
  1. $6.5 million spent. DAY HAB SERVICES - A DAY PROGRAM FOR ADULTS WHO ARE PHYSICALLY AND DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED TO HELP THEM DEVELOP PERSONAL AND EDCATIONAL SKILLS THAT WOULD ENABLE THEM TO FUNCTION. APPROXIMATLY 271 SERVED.
  2. $10.6 million spent. RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - TO PROVIDE A HOME LIFE ENVIRONMENT, CONSITSTING OF ROAM AND BOARD, RECREATIONAL AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR PHYSICALLY AND DEVELOPMENTLLY DISABLE ADULTS. APPROXIMATLY 158 SERVED.
  3. $17.6 million spent. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES - TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGED CHILLDREN WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE DISABILITIES. APPROXIMATELY 715 SERVED.
  4. $3.5 million spent. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES - PROVIDES EMPLOYMENT TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THROUGH PREVOCATIONAL SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT IN THE COMMUNITY, ETC.COMMUNITY INITIATIVES - PROVIDES SUPPORT SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY RATHER THAN INDIVIDUALS IN OUR DAY HAB, EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL SERVICES INCLUDING COMMUNITY HABILITATION, RESPITE SERVICES, FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, ETC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 May 1965.

    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.