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Golden Key Center for Exceptionalchildren Inc

EIN 20-5671272 · Canton, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PRIMARY MISSION OF THE GOLDEN KEY CENTER FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY EDUCATION AND INTERVENTION SERVICES TO STUDENTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.3 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
74
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$109,538, 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 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 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    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

    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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
  1. $1.2 million spent. THE GOLDEN KEY CENTER FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN OPERATES A NON-PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL ACCREDITED BY THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION & WORKFORCE. THE SCHOOL SERVES STUDENTS IN GRADES K8 WHO HAVE AUTISM AND OTHER COGNITIVE DISABILITIES, PROVIDING INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TAILORED TO EACH STUDENT'S DEVELOPMENTAL PROFILE. THROUGH A COMBINATION OF ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION, THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT, AND FUNCTIONAL SKILL-BUILDING, THE SCHOOL AIMS TO ENHANCE EACH CHILD'S INDEPENDENCE, COMMUNICATION, AND OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE.THE PROGRAM FOLLOWS A TRADITIONAL 10-MONTH ACADEMIC CALENDAR, OFFERING SERVICES MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM MID-AUGUST THROUGH THE END OF MAY. STAFFED BY LICENSED EDUCATORS AND INTERVENTION SPECIALISTS, THE SCHOOL EMPHASIZES INCLUSIVE PRACTICES, EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES, AND A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS CAN THRIVE BOTH SOCIALLY AND ACADEMICALLY.
  2. $2.2 million spent. THE GOLDEN KEY CENTER FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN OPERATES A SPECIALIZED PRESCHOOL INTERVENTION PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 5 DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. THIS YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM IS GROUNDED IN EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES, INCLUDING APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) AND RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTION (RDI), TO SUPPORT EARLY DEVELOPMENTAL GROWTH IN COMMUNICATION, SOCIAL INTERACTION, AND ADAPTIVE FUNCTIONING.THE PRESCHOOL PROVIDES INTENSIVE, INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION AND THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT DESIGNED TO ADDRESS DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS ASSOCIATED WITH AUTISM. STAFF RECEIVE ONGOING TRAINING IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND AUTISM-SPECIFIC EDUCATION STRATEGIES, ENSURING A HIGH LEVEL OF EXPERTISE AND CONSISTENCY IN CARE. THE PROGRAM RUNS ON A 12-MONTH CALENDAR AND IS STRUCTURED TO FOSTER MEANINGFUL PROGRESS IN EACH CHILD'S LEARNING AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
  3. $351,602 spent. THE GOLDEN KEY CENTER FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN PROVIDES CHILDCARE SERVICES TO STUDENTS ENROLLED IN ITS NON-PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL AND SPECIALIZED PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE, AS WELL AS A SUMMER CAMP DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND OTHER COGNITIVE DISABILITIES. THE CHILDCARE PROGRAM SUPPORTS OVER 45 CHILDREN ANNUALLY BETWEEN BEFORE AND AFTER CARE SERVICES AND SUMMER CAMP. ALL PROGRAMS ARE STAFFED BY PROFESSIONALS TRAINED TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES SERVED.THE BEFORE AND AFTER CARE PROGRAM OPERATES YEAR-ROUND, OFFERING STRUCTURED SUPPORT AND RESPITE FOR WORKING FAMILIES. THE SUMMER CAMP RUNS FROM MID-JUNE THROUGH EARLY AUGUST AND PROVIDES ENRICHING ACTIVITIES TAILORED TO THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH COGNITIVE DISORDERS, WITH A PRIMARY FOCUS ON THOSE DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZES COMPASSIONATE CARE, CONSISTENCY, AND A SAFE ENVIRONMENT THAT FOSTERS GROWTH AND CONNECTION.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.