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Northern Regional Center for Independent Living Incorporated

EIN 16-1329748 · Watertown, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A PROFESSIONAL PEER-RUN ORGANIZATION WORKING WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHILE PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITIES TO CREATE ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION TO CREATE A SOCIETY FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION WHERE PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES ARE EMPOWERED TO LIVE A FULFILLING LIFE.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 90%
Employees
73
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$88,124, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 45% 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 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 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 (3)
  1. $544,044 spent. CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - THIS TEAM PROVIDES SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR CHILDREN WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE EDUCATION SYSTEMS ADVOCACY, BENEFITS ADVISEMENT, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, PARENTING EDUCATION AND TRAINING, PEER SUPPORT, FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES AND VOTER REGISTRATION. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AGED 0 - 19 AND THEIR FAMILIES.
  2. $780,096 spent. INDEPENDENT LIVING UNIT-THIS TEAM PROVIDES SERVICES AND SUPPORTS TO ANY PERSON OF ANY AGE WITH ANY DISABILITY. THE FIVE CORE INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES ARE PEER SUPPORT, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, ADVOCACY, INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSITION SUPPORT. ADDITIONAL SERVICES INCLUDE ARCHITECTURAL BARRIER ASSESSMENT, BENEFITS ADVISEMENT, BUSINESS/INDUSTRY CONSULTATION, FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, HOUSING SUPPORTS, RECREATIONAL SERVICES, YOUTH SERVICES, VOCATIONAL SERVICES AND VOTER REGISTRATION. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED SERVICES TO ADULTS WITH A VARIETY OF DISABILITIES INCLUDING SENSORY, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND OTHER CATEGORIES.
  3. $839,409 spent. ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES-THIS TEAM PROVIDES SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR ADULTS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DISABILITIES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE ADVOCACY, BENEFITS ADVISEMENT, INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, PEER SUPPORT AND VOTER REGISTRATION. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH COGNITIVE AND MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 April 1990.

    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.