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Specialized Early Childhood Center of Western New York Inc

EIN 16-1206389 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BORNHAVA'S MISSION IS: TO NURTURE AND EDUCATE DIFFERENTLY-ABLED CHILDREN THROUGH PLAY, CREATING THE FOUNDATION FOR THEM TO THRIVE. BORNHAVA'S VISION IS: TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVENESS BY EMPOWERING OUR CHILDREN TO REACH THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL AS SELF-ADVOCATES AND VALUABLE CONTRIBUTORS TO THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
92
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$126,579, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 June 30, 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 (2)
  1. $2.7 million spent. PRESCHOOL PROGRAM - AT BORNHAVA, WE DELIVER SERVICES TO PRESCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. OUR CENTER-BASED PROGRAM FOCUSES ON DEVELOPMENT OF MOTOR SKILLS, COGNITION, COMMUNICATION, SOCIAL INTERACTION, AND GROWING INDEPENDENCE. EACH PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM IS STAFFED BY A CERTIFIED SPECIAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR, THREE TEACHER'S ASSISTANTS AND THERAPY PROVIDERS. A CHILD'S NEEDS ARE ADDRESSED IN VERY COMPREHENSIVE WAYS. FREQUENT INTERACTION WITH TYPICAL CHILDREN CONTINUES TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PROGRAM. THIS PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO BENEFIT FROM THE PLAY AND LANGUAGE OF AGE-APPROPRIATE PLAY PARTNERS.
  2. $221,869 spent. INFANT PROGRAM - CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO THREE YEARS OF AGE RECEIVE SERVICES THROUGH OUR EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM - A COMPREHENSIVE, GOAL-ORIENTED PLAN OF THERAPIES AND EDUCATION. THE DESIGN OF SERVICES IS UNIQUE TO EACH CHILD AND HIS/HER PARTICULAR NEEDS. THROUGH THE COLLABORATION OR PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS, AN INDIVIDUAL FAMILY SERVICE PLAN (IFSP) IS DEVELOPED. THIS PLAN IDENTIFIES THE CHILD'S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, AND GUIDES THE EFFORTS OF THE TEAM TOWARD GOALS, WHICH ARE REGULARLY REVIEWED AND UPDATED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 November 1987.

    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.