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Advocates Inc

EIN 16-1453716 · Fayetteville, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE OADVOCATES IS A PERSON-CENTERED NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO DIRECT THEIR OWN LIVES AND CREATE A VISION FOR THEIR FUTURE. TOGETHER, WE ADVOCATE FOR A FUTURE WHERE PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES CAN FULLY PARTICIPATE IN THEIR HOME, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITIES IN A MEANINGFUL WAY.

Income
$39.0 million
Spending
$38.8 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
1,648
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$232,415, executive director

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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $35.4 million spent. SELF DIRECTED - DEVELOPING PERSON CENTERED PLANS THAT FINANCIALLY ALLOWS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY TO ACCESS THE SUPPORTS NEEDED TO REACH CERTAIN VALUED OUTCOMES. 617 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED IN 2024.
  2. $382,976 spent. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES - PROVIDE SUPPORT TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THROUGH, RECREATION, TRANSPORTATION, TRAINING, INFORMATION, AND SUPPLIES TO 489 INDIVIDUALS.
  3. $16,342 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS - SELF PAY AND LIMITED EXCEPTION RESPITE

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 February 1995.

    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.