Anderson Center for Autism
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ANDERSON CENTER FOR AUTISM IS A NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY PROGRAMS POSSIBLE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) EQUALLY IMPORTANT IS OUR COMMITMENT TO MAINTAIN AN ONGOING FULLY INTEGRATED SUPPORT NETWORK FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND GUARDIANS. WE AS AN ORGANIZATION WILL ALWAYS STRIVE TO PROVIDE AN ENRICHED AND POSITIVE CLIMATE FILLED WITH EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO FOSTER CONTINUOUS GROWTH, INDEPENDENCE AND SOCIAL INTERACTION. WE ARE DEDICATED TO BEING A RESULTS ORIENTED FORERUNNER OF AGENCIES BY OFFERING THE MOST CURRENT STATE OF THE ART PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES.
- Income
- $48.6 million
- Spending
- $49.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 97%
- Employees
- 625
- Volunteers
- 16
- Highest pay
- $702,258, 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
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 35% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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, 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 (3)
- $29.3 million spent. THE LARGEST PROGRAM IS AN 853 RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL FUNDED BY THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES AND IS CERTIFIED BY THE ANDERSON CENTER FOR AUTISM INC ADULTS WITH AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. EQUALLY IMPORTANT IS OUR COMMITMENT TO MAINTAIN AN ONGOING FULLY INTEGRATED THE LARGEST PROGRAM IS AN 853 RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL FUNDED BY THE NEW YORK NYS OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES ROOM AND BOARD TO 135 CHILDREN WITH AUTISM BETWEEN THE AGES OF 5 AND 21 YEARS. THE PROGRAM OPERATES 365 DAYS A YEAR IN A 24 HOUR A DAY ATMOSPHERE. THE CHILDREN ARE ENROLLED AND REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR LOCAL FAMILY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND COUNTY. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THE PROGRAM INCORPORATES BEHAVIORAL TEACHING METHODS AND STRUCTURED LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO INCREASE AND ENHANCE SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS SUCH AS PERSONAL CARE, COMMUNICATION, SOCIAL INTERACTION, RECREATION/PLAY AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION. SUPPORT STRATEGIES IDENTIFIED BY SPEECH LANGUAGE THERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, A RECREATION COORDINATOR AND BEHAVIOR SPECIALISTS/ANALYSTS ARE AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM COMPONENT. THESE CAN INCLUDE VISUAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORTS SUCH AS ACTIVITY SCHEDULES WITH PICTURE/WORD ICONS, COMMUNICATION BOARDS, TASK ANALYSIS STRIPS AND SENSORY ACTIVITIES. CHILDREN'S HOUSES ARE BASED ON AGE AND LEVEL OF FUNCTIONING (COMMUNICATION, SOCIAL INTERACTION, DAILY LIVING). UNIQUE TO ANDERSON, OUR NEW DESIGN ALLOWS FOR MOST STUDENTS TO LIVE IN INDIVIDUAL BEDROOMS, WHILE ALSO OFFERING ONE ADDED SWING BED PER LOCATION ALLOWING RAPID PLACEMENT FOR NEW STUDENTS NEEDING EMERGENCY PLACEMENT RESIDENCE. MANAGERS CREATE HOUSE SPECIFIC ROUTINES (SUCH AS BED TIMES, CHORES AND ACTIVITIES) THAT ARE AGE APPROPRIATE WHILE SUPPORTING AN INDIVIDUAL'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. WHILE THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM IS FOCUSED ON PROVIDING CONSISTENT LEARNING AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL CHILDREN IN ORDER TO DEVELOP SKILLS, IT ALSO RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING A VARIETY OF TYPICAL CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES THAT ARE NECESSARY TO EACH INDIVIDUAL'S DEVELOPMENT. THESE INCLUDE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS VISITS TO MUSEUMS, PARKS, SWIMMING, MOVIES AND DINING OUT. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION IN AN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM THAT CAN INCLUDE SPORTS ACTIVITIES, ARTS AND CRAFTS, COMPUTER GAMES, COOKING EXPERIENCES, DANCE AND RELAXATION CLASSES.
- $9.9 million spent. THE SECOND LARGEST PROGRAM IS CHILDREN'S EDUCATION PROGRAM FUNDED BY THE NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THE CHILDREN IN THIS PROGRAM ARE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 5 - 21. THE CHILDREN ARE ENROLLED AND REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR LOCAL FAMILY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND COUNTY. ACA STUDENTS EXHIBIT A WIDE RANGE OF FUNCTIONAL LEVELS, SKILLS AND ABILITIES, OFTEN WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE LEARNING, COMMUNICATIVE AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS.THE EDUCATION PROGRAM INCORPORATES TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODOLOGIES THAT ARE BASED IN A POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS MODEL, UTILIZING PROACTIVE AND SUPPORT STRATEGIES TO ASSIST STUDENTS AS THEY LEARN AND GROW. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)IN ADDITION, BEHAVIORAL ANALYTIC TEACHING STRATEGIES, INTERVENTIONS AND EVALUATIVE DATA REVIEW ARE EMBEDDED INTO THE SCHOOL'S INFRASTRUCTURE. DIRECT INSTRUCTION, DISCRETE TRIAL TEACHING, VISUAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORTS, SENSORY SUPPORTS AND COMMUNICATION SUPPORTS ARE UTILIZED AS APPROPRIATE. THE CONTINUUM OF SERVICES VARIES AMONG CLASSROOMS AS THE FOCUS OF CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION IS ALIGNED WITH THE AGE AND ABILITY LEVELS OF STUDENTS. THE PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN ELEMENTARY AGE CLASSROOMS ADDRESSES SCHOOL READINESS BEHAVIORS (SITTING, LISTENING TO A SPEAKER, TAKING TURNS, ETC), ACADEMIC FUNCTIONING AND SOCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE CLASSROOM PROGRAMS FOCUS ON ACADEMIC AND FUNCTIONAL ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL SKILLS AND VOCATIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS 16 AND OVER FOCUS ON FUNCTIONAL ACADEMIC AND/OR LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS THE INCLUSION OF TRANSITION/VOCATIONAL LEARNING AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES. ALL CLASSROOMS STRIVE TO PROVIDE A COMMUNICATION RICH LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHERE COMMUNICATIVE SUPPORTS ARE READILY AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS. WORKING WITHIN A COLLABORATIVE INTERDISCIPLINARY MODEL, BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST/ANALYSTS, SPEECH AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS PROVIDE CONSULTATIVE AND DIRECT SERVICES WITHIN THE CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT. CERTIFIED SPECIAL EDUCATORS THEN EMBED APPROPRIATE STUDENT SPECIFIC SUPPORTS INTO ONGOING CLASSROOM, LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES.INDIVIDUALIZED GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ARE IDENTIFIED FOR EACH STUDENT AND TARGET PIVOTAL SKILL AREAS SUCH AS COMMUNICATION, SOCIAL INTERACTION, ORGANIZATION AND INDEPENDENT LIFE SKILLS. SPECIAL EDUCATORS PLAN CONTENT BASED LESSONS USING A CURRICULUM THAT REFLECTS NY STATE LEARNING STANDARDS. STUDENT PROGRESS AND LEARNING IS SHARED WITH FAMILIES IN A VARIETY OF WAYS INCLUDING QUARTERLY INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM REPORTS, QUARTERLY REPORT CARDS, MEETINGS, PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH CASE MANAGERS OR TEACHERS AND EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE.
- $1.2 million spent. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES ROOM AND BOARD TO 115 ADULTS, 21 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER, WITH AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THE PROGRAM OPERATES 365 DAYS A YEAR, PROVIDING MEDICAL, CLINICAL AND DIRECT SUPPORT SERVICES IN A 24 HOUR A DAY ATMOSPHERE. THE PROGRAM ISCERTIFIED BY THE NYS OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THIS UNIQUE PROGRAM SUPPORTS AND PROMOTES THE SUCCESSES OF ANDERSON'S ADULTS IN HOMES, LOCATED IN COMMUNITIES CLOSE TO THE CENTER'S MAIN CAMPUS. BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) AND POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS, THE PROGRAM IS AIMED AT DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREAS OF COMMUNICATIONS, DAILY LIVING SKILLS, LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES AND MORE. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THE PINE PLAINS PRE-SCHOOL SERVES YOUNG CHILDREN WITH AN AUTISM DIAGNOSIS, CHILDREN WHO DISPLAY BEHAVIORS OF AUTISM BUT WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED A DIAGNOSIS, AS WELL AS NEUROTYPICAL CHILDREN. IN ADDITION TO EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR THESE CHILDREN WE OFFER PARENT AND FAMILY EDUCATION GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL TRAININGS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES, PROVIDING CONSISTENCY IN INTERVENTIONS IMPLEMENTED ACROSS BOTH THE SCHOOL AND HOME ENVIRONMENTS FOR THESE CHILDREN.
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
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 2024.
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 June 1979.
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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