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Ascendigo Autism Services Inc

EIN 20-0940000 · Carbondale, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

ASCENDIGO SERVES LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL POPULATIONS OF YOUTH AND ADULTS ACROSS THE AUTISM SPECTRUM THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL, COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE THEIR HEALTH, ABILITIES, PERSONAL GROWTH AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT.

Income
$5.2 million
Spending
$5.2 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 53%
Employees
100
Volunteers
54
Highest pay
$206,490, president and 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

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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. $1.4 million spent. ASCENDIGO'S ADVENTURES PROGRAM OFFERS WINTER, SUMMER AND SPRING OVERNIGHT AND DAY CAMPS IN ASPEN, COLORADO AND SURROUNDING AREAS, ALLOWING PARTICIPANTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS TO SAFELY ENGAGE IN SUSTAINED PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES THAT FOSTER PERSONAL GROWTH.
  2. $2.3 million spent. ASCENDIGO'S LIFE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM IS A COMPREHENSIVE YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITY FOR ADULTS 18 AND OLDER OF ALL LEVELS OF ABILITY WITHIN THE AUTISM SPECTRUM. IT USES A HOLISTIC, INDIVIDUAL APPROACH ENCOMPASSING SOCIAL, VOCATIONAL, ATHLETIC, AND DAILY INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS.
  3. $702,890 spent. THE OUTREACH PROGRAM OFFERED BY ASCENDIGO PROVIDES IN-HOME BEHAVIORAL THERAPY AND SCHOOL CONSULTATIONS TO CHILDREN AND TEENS WITH AUTISM AND RELATED CONDITIONS. WE SPECIALIZE IN DELIVERING NATURALISTIC DEVELOPMENTAL BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS VIA HIGHLY TRAINED CLINICIANS INCLUDING BCBAS, RBTS, OTS, AND OTHER LICENSED PROFESSIONALS.

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 2005.

    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.