Skip to the page content
Passes our checks

Bestself Behavioral Health Inc

EIN 16-1004090 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BESTSELF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDES INNOVATIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED, ACCESSIBLE, AND FAMILY FOCUSED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO PROMOTE HEALTH, HOPE, RECOVERY, AND AN ENHANCED QUALITY OF LIFE.

Income
$83.0 million
Spending
$85.1 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 65%
Employees
1,422
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$475,932, president/ceo

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

Weak: 39 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 93% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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, 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. $34.7 million spent. CCBHC CLINICS: BESTSELF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, INC. OFFERS OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT AND MEDICATION THERAPY FOR A WIDE RANGE OF CHALLENGES. BESTSELF ALSO OFFERS A FULL SPECTRUM OF CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE, FROM COUNSELING AND MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT TO RELAPSE AND PREVENTION TRAINING. ADDITIONAL SERVICES AT BESTSELF'S CLINICS INCLUDE CRISIS INTERVENTION, HEALTH MONITORING, PEER SERVICES, CASE MANAGEMENT AND PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION.
  2. $10.1 million spent. SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER: BESTSELF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, INC.'S OFFERS MANY PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS INCLUDING: A WOMENS RESIDENCE FOR WOMEN OR MOTHERS BATTLING A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER; A RECOVERY COMMUNITY TO GIVE PEOPLE IN ALL STAGES OF RECOVERY AND THEIR FAMILIES A SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT TO RECLAIM THEIR LIVES; HOUSING ASSISTANCE; JAIL AND COURT SERVICES AS WELL AS AN OPIOID TREATMENT PROGRAM WHICH DISPENSES METHADONE TO ASSIST THOSE IN RECOVERY FROM OPIOID DEPENDENCY.
  3. $5.7 million spent. CARE COORDINATION: BESTSELF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, INC. HAS BOTH AN ADULT AND CHILDRENS HEALTH HOME, WHICH PROVIDE FREE, COMPREHENSIVE CARE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO QUALIFIED MEDICAID RECIPIENTS TO ENSURE THEIR MEDICAL, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE NEEDS ARE BEING MET THROUGH THE USE OF PERSONALIZED CARE PLANS. HOME HEALTH SERVICES ENSURE THAT EVERYONE INVOLVED IN AN INDIVIDUAL'S CARE IS WORKING WELL TOGETHER AND SHARING THE INFORMATION THAT IS IMPORTANT IN SUPPORTING RECOVERY.
  4. $19.4 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES

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 October 13, 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 August 1973.

    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 October 21, 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.