Down Syndrome Society of Wichitainc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 46% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY OF WICHITA, INC. IS TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT EDUCATE, CONNECT, DEVELOP AND ADVOCATE TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE DOWN SYNDROME COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $359,239
- Spending
- $214,984
- Spent on programs
- 46%
- Reserves
- -1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 80%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $70,760, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 39% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 60% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1546% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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)
- $46,979 spent. ADULT SKILLS AND LIFESTYLE PROGRAM. INCLUDES: EXPLOREICT- EXPLOREICT THAT SERVES ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME. ITS INITIATIVES ARE INDEPENDENCE SKILLS BUILDING, VOLUNTEERISM IN THE COMMUNITY AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES LEARNING TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNITY EXPLORATION ON A WEEKLY BASIS. PARENTS ENGAGE IN CULINARY DEVELOPMENT, AND LIFE SKILLS IN A FORMAT AND SETTING THAT IS COMFORTABLE AND RELAXED. INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST 90 HOURS ANNUALLY IN FITNESS CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES, ALONG WITH OVER 90 HOURS OF VOLUNTEERISM IN THE COMMUNITY WITH OTHER AREA AGENCIES.
- $25,999 spent. DEVELOPMENT AND WELLNESS PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES: SUMMER OF DISCOVERY AND SCHOOL BREAK. SUMMER OF DISCOVERY AND SCHOOL BREAK PROGRAMS PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH AN OPTION THAT CATERS TO THEIR NEEDS AND ABILITIES. ATTENDEES HAVE A CHANCE AT A CAMP LIKE EXPERIENCE, WHILE ALTERING PLANS AND ACTIVITIES TO FIT SPECIFIC NEEDS. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN FUN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, WHILE CREATIVE WRITING AND EXPLORATION IS INCLUDED. PARTICIPANTS ARE ABLE TO BUILD LONG LASTING RELATIONSHIPS AND CONTINUE TO EXPRESS AND HONE THEIR DESIRES AND ABILITIES.
- $25,129 spent. ENGAGEMENT AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM. NEW PARENT OUTREACH - EACH YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION WELCOMES OVER 20 NEW FAMILIES IN THE AREA OR NEW PARENTS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE, ALONG WITH BROCHURES AND CONTACTS FOR A PLETHORA OF AREA AGENCIES THAT WILL SUPPORT AND ASSIST THEM IN THEIR JOURNEY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 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.