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Massachusetts Downs Syndrome Congress Inc

EIN 22-2596246 · Burlington, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENSURE INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME IN MASSACHUSETTS ARE VALUED, INCLUDED, AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITIES TO PURSUE FULFILLING LIVES BY PROVIDING INFORMATION, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES, AND ADVOCACY FOR PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND THEIR FAMILIES, EDUCATORS, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, AND THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
14
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$191,525, 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: 85 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 126% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    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 (2)
  1. $1.5 million spent. THE MDSC ADVANCES THE UNDERSTANDING OF DOWN SYNDROME THROUGH IMPLEMENTING PUBLIC AWARENESS INITIATIVES THAT LEAD TO SYSTEMIC CHANGES THAT ENHANCE THE ABILITY FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME TO HAVE MEANINGFUL FULFILLING LIVES IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR MAJOR PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE BUDDY WALK PROGRAM, YOUR NEXT STAR EMPLOYMENT CAMPAIGN, THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE, EDUCATORS FORUM, AND MEDICAL PROVIDER EDUCATION. IN FY25 OVER 6,900 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN AND BENEFITED FROM THESE PROGRAMS.
  2. $622,387 spent. THE MDSC PROVIDES NETWORKING, SOCIAL/FRIENDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND DIRECT SUPPORTS FOR ALL PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND THEIR FAMILIES ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS. THROUGH OUR NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PARENTS FIRST CALL PROGRAM, ADVOCATES IN MOTION TEEN AND YOUNG ADULT PROGRAM, ALLEN CROCKER SELF-ADVOCATE INTERN PROGRAM, DADS APPRECIATING DOWN SYNDROME, SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS, DIVERSITY OUTREACH PROGRAM, SUPPORT GROUP LEADER RETREAT, AND A VARIETY OF OTHER SOCIAL RECREATION PROGRAMS THE MDSC PROVIDED DIRECT SUPPORT TO OVER 4,800 INDIVIDUALS IN FY25.

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 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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 June 1985.

    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 November 4, 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.