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Living Independently Forever Inc

EIN 22-3190452 · Hyannis, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LIVING INDEPENDENTLY FOREVER, INC. (LIFE) WAS FOUNDED IN 1992 WITH THE INTENTION OF EMPOWERING ADULTS WITH AUTISM, LEARNING AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN THEIR PURSUIT OF HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND INDEPENDENT LIVES.

Income
$13.7 million
Spending
$12.9 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 70%
Employees
254
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$248,667, former 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 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 (4)
  1. $4.6 million spent. SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT LIVING (SIL) COMMUNITIES ARE LIFE'S PIONEERING RESIDENTIAL MODEL FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES WHO REQUIRE LOW TO MODERATE LEVELS OF SUPPORT TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY. BY INTEGRATING SERVICES IN A RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY, SILS ALLOW RESIDENTS TO SUCCESSFULLY PARTICIPATE IN THE BROADER COMMUNITY WHILE ENSURING THEIR SAFETY AND WELL-BEING. SERVICES INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR DAILY LIVING SKILLS, PERSONAL FINANCE, HEALTH MANAGEMENT, EMPLOYMENT, FITNESS, AND SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES.LIFE'S SIL MODEL CURRENTLY SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS ACROSS COMMUNITIES IN HYANNIS, MASHPEE, AND PLYMOUTH. EACH COMMUNITY PROVIDES RESIDENTS WITH THE DIGNITY OF SELF-DETERMINATION, WHILE GIVING FAMILIES PEACE OF MIND THAT THEIR LOVED ONES CAN TRANSITION THROUGH ADULTHOOD WITH THE NECESSARY SUPPORTS IN PLACE.
  2. $3.4 million spent. GROUP HOME RESIDENTIAL LIVING PROVIDES 24/7 SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGHER NEEDS. THIS PROGRAM OFFERS SUPPORT TO RESIDENTS WHO REQUIRE A GREATER LEVEL OF CARE, ALLOWING THEM A SAFE OPTION TO AGE-IN-PLACE WITHOUT LEAVING THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY HAVE ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIPS. LIFE CURRENTLY OPERATES FIVE GROUP HOMES THAT SUPPORT ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING, SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT, ENSURING CONTINUITY AND A STRONG SENSE OF BELONGING.ONE OF LIFE'S GROUP HOMES WAS DESIGNATED THIS YEAR AS A MEDICAL GROUP HOME TO MEET THE ELEVATED NEEDS OF ITS AGING RESIDENTS. THIS INCLUDED MODIFYING THE HOME FOR INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY AND SAFETY, AS WELL AS HIRING FULL-TIME NURSING STAFF. THIS STEP ENSURES THAT EVEN WITH A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE NEEDED, MORE RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO LIVE COMFORTABLY AND SAFELY WITHIN THE LIFE COMMUNITY.
  3. $2.3 million spent. LIFE'S COMMUNITY-BASED DAY PROGRAMS (CBDS), LOCATED IN SANDWICH AND PLYMOUTH, FOCUS ON WORK READINESS AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY SETTING. THIS YEAR, LIFE INTRODUCED CBDS WITHOUT WALLS, A NEW INITIATIVE THAT OFFERS A TRULY IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE BY MOVING ALL ACTIVITIES DIRECTLY INTO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THIS PROGRAM HELPS INDIVIDUALS GAIN HANDS-ON PRACTICE IN NAVIGATING REAL-LIFE SCENARIOS IN PUBLIC WITH THE SUPPORT OF A COACH IN A SMALL GROUP SETTING, LEADING TO A BENEFICIAL, ADDITIONAL LEVEL OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT.LIFE'S SHARED LIVING PROGRAM PROVIDES A RESIDENTIAL OPTION WHERE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE 24/7 SUPPORT IN A CAREGIVER'S HOME. THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS FOR A HIGHLY PERSONALIZED, HOME-LIKE SETTING, WITH A DEDICATED CAREGIVER PROVIDING ASSISTANCE WITH DAILY LIVING TASKS, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, AND HEALTH CARE. LIFE FACILITATES THESE ARRANGEMENTS AND PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS AND RESPITE FOR THE DESIGNATED CAREGIVERS, ENSURING INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO THRIVE.
  4. $1.2 million spent. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDE 1:1 JOB COACHING AND PLACEMENT, AND IS AN OPTIONAL PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS ACROSS MULTIPLE LIFE PROGRAMS. OUR DEDICATED EMPLOYMENT SPECIALISTS PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT FROM THE INITIAL JOB APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW PREPARATION THROUGH DISCREET, ON-THE-JOB PERSONAL COACHING. THIS HANDS-ON TRAINING CONTINUES UNTIL THE INDIVIDUAL CAN COMPLETE THEIR TASKS INDEPENDENTLY, WITH LIFE COACHES ABLE TO OFFER ONGOING SUPPORT TO BOTH LIFE CLIENTS AND THEIR EMPLOYERS TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL JOB PLACEMENT.A SIGNIFICANT MEASURE OF SUCCESS FOR THIS PROGRAM IS THAT OVER 85% OF ENROLLED INDIVIDUALS ARE CURRENTLY COMPETITIVELY EMPLOYED. MANY HAVE BECOME DEDICATED, LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES FOR VARIOUS LOCAL BUSINESSES, DEMONSTRATING THEIR RELIABILITY AND COMMITMENT.

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 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 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 January 1993.

    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.

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