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Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center Inc

EIN 22-2539005 · New London, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES WIDE RANGING SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN RECEIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES OR THOSE WHO SUSPECT THEIR CHILD MAY HAVE A DISABILITY, AND PROVIDES IMPORTANT ADVOCACY TO IMPROVE SPECIAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. SERVICES INCLUDE ONE ON ONE CONSULTATION FOR PARENTS FACING CHALLENGES NAVIGATING THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SYSTEM (IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, PORTUGUESE, CREOLE, AND OTHER LANGUAGES USING A LANGUAGE LINE), MENTORING AND SUPPORT FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES, TRAINING SESSIONS FOR FAMILIES AND PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, AND SUBSTANTIAL CONSULTATION WITH STATE AND LOCAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS TO IMPROVE SPECIAL EDUCATION SYSTEMS IN THE STATE.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 67%
Employees
25
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$78,071, coexecutive

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 16% 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

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    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 (1)
  1. $1.1 million spent. CONNECTICUT PARENT ADVOCACY CENTER, INC. (CPAC) IS A STATEWIDE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT OFFERS INFORMATION AND SUPPORT TO FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH ANY DISABILITY OR CHRONIC ILLNESS, FROM BIRTH THROUGH AGE 26. CPAC KNOWS THAT PARENTS MUST BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE ADVOCATES FOR THEIR CHILDREN. WE ARE COMMITTED TO EMPOWER THEM AND GIVE THEM CONFIDENCE THAT KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING THAT SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW AND ITS PROCEDURES CAN BRING. THROUGH OUTREACH EFFORTS AND REFERRALS FROM SCHOOLS, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND OTHER PARENTS, THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES THAT CPAC SERVES HAS GROWN DRAMATICALLY OVER THE PAST 43 YEARS. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO TAKE PRIDE IN PROVIDING PROMPT AND PERSONAL ASSISSTANCE TO ALL WHO CONTACT THEM. CPAC IS STAFFED BY PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES WHO HAVE TRAINED IN, AND HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE LAW AND DISABILITY ISSUES. CONNECTICUT PARENT ADVOCACY CENTER, INC. (CPAC) IS A STATEWIDE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT OFFERS INFORMATION AND SUPPORT TO FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH ANY DISABILITY OR CHRONIC ILLNESS, FROM BIRTH THROUGH AGE 26. CPAC KNOWS THAT PARENTS MUST BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE ADVOCATES FOR THEIR CHILDREN. WE ARE COMMITTED TO EMPOWER THEM AND GIVE THEM CONFIDENCE THAT KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING THAT SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW AND ITS PROCEDURES CAN BRING. THROUGH OUTREACH EFFORTS AND REFERRALS FROM SCHOOLS, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND OTHER PARENTS, THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES THAT CPAC SERVES HAS GROWN DRAMATICALLY OVER THE PAST 43 YEARS. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO TAKE PRIDE IN PROVIDING PROMPT AND PERSONAL ASSISSTANCE TO ALL WHO CONTACT THEM. CPAC IS STAFFED BY PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES WHO HAVE TRAINED IN, AND HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE LAW AND DISABILITY ISSUES.

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 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 September 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 October 1987.

    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.