Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Unity House of Cayuga County Inc

EIN 16-1081372 · Auburn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNITY HOUSE'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER AND ENRICH THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN RECOVERY, COPING WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS, AND/OR DIAGNOSED WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY OFFERING SUPPORTS AND SERVICES IN AN INCLUSIVE, PERSON-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$27.6 million
Spending
$25.9 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 88%
Employees
457
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$185,680, 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 48% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 37% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 (3)
  1. $16.2 million spent. RESIDENTIAL SERVICES: AT UNITY HOUSE, WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE DESERVES A PLACE WHERE THEY BELONG. HEALTHY FOOD, SOUND SLEEP AND SOCIAL CONNECTION ARE BASIC NEEDS THAT MUST BE MET FOR PEOPLE TO THRIVE. THAT'S WHY WE PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, PEOPLE RECOVERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS, AND PEOPLE RECOVERING FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. EACH PERSON'S INDIVIDUALIZED RESIDENTIAL PLAN IS DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE THEIR AUTONOMY WHILE ENSURING THAT THEY GET THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO THRIVE. STAFF HELP RESIDENTS GAIN LIFE SKILLS, STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS, MAINTAIN HEALTH, STAY SAFE AND PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES THAT IMPROVE THEIR WELLBEING. THOSE WITH THE GREATEST NEEDS MAY LIVE IN A CONGREGATE RESIDENCE WITH SUPPORT STAFF ON SITE 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. THOSE WHO NEED LESS SUPPORT MAY LIVE IN A NON-CERTIFIED APARTMENT WITH REGULAR STAFF CHECK-INS.
  2. $5.7 million spent. REHABILITATIVE SERVICES: UNITY HOUSE'S REHABILITATIVE SERVICES ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES GET THE INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT THEY NEED TO LIVE THEIR BEST LIVES. THROUGH OUR DAY SERVICES PROGRAM, PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES MEET NEW PEOPLE, VISIT NEW PLACES, ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST, LEARN LIFE SKILLS, AND EXPLORE NEW HOBBIES. THEY WORK ON GOALS IN A GROUP SETTING, AIDED BY WELL-TRAINED PROFESSIONALS. THROUGH OUR SELF DIRECTION PROGRAM, PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS SELECT, SCHEDULE, SUPERVISE AND PAY FOR THE SUPPORTS AND SERVICES THAT BEST FIT THEIR NEEDS. OUR PROSPERITY PROGRAM PROVIDES GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION SERVICES TO HELP PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS RECOVER AND GAIN GREATER INDEPENDENCE.
  3. $884,142 spent. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: UNITY HOUSE HELPS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CHOOSE, OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES CAN INCLUDE HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP WORK SKILLS, DEVELOP JOB-SEARCH STRATEGIES, COMPLETE JOB APPLICATIONS, PREPARE FOR JOB INTERVIEWS AND COMMUNICATE WITH EMPLOYERS. WE PROVIDE TRAINED JOB COACHES FOR EVERY STEP OF THE PROCESS, WHICH CAN INCLUDE ON-THE-JOB GUIDANCE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT.

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 September 1994.

    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.