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Dawn Center for Independent Living Inc

EIN 22-3496995 · Denville, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS PROVIDING SUPPORT TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFESPAN SO THEY CAN ACHIEVE THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

Income
$5.6 million
Spending
$4.7 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
11.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 57%
Employees
67
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$178,341, ceo

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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 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 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 (4)
  1. $1.4 million spent. EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICE COORDINATION - THE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDES THE COORDINATION OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, AGES 0-3, WHO ARE DEEMED ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DIVISION OF FAMILY SERVICES. THESE SERVICES ARE INTENDED TO ENHANCE THE FAMILY'S ABILITY TO MEET THE DEVELOPMENTAL AND HEALTH RELATED NEEDS OF THESE ELIGIBLE CHILDREN. SERVICE COORDINATORS PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES THAT ASSIST WITH DIRECT SUPPORT FOR THE CHILD'S DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS AS WELL AS SUPPORT FAMILIES WITH ACCESS TO NEEDED COMMUNITY/STATE/FEDERAL SERVICES. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO FAMILIES RESIDING IN MORRIS AND SUSSEX COUNTIES BY OUR AGENCY.
  2. $809,340 spent. INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES THE INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORT AND SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES RESIDING IN MORRIS, SUSSEX AND WARREN COUNTIES WHICH ENABLES THEM TO ACCESS BENEFITS AND PROGRAMS FOR WHICH THEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE AND TO ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY FUNCTIONAL LIFE, SOCIAL, SELF-ADVOCACY, AND EMPLOYMENT READINESS SKILLS TO ASSIST THEM IN MAINTAINING THEIR INDEPENDENCE AND RESIDE IN THE COMMUNITY OF THEIR CHOICE.ON NOVEMBER 10, 2021, THE ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING (ACL) ANNOUNCED A $150 MILLION INVESTMENT TO EXPAND THE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE WITHIN THE AGING AND DISABILITY NETWORKS. THE PURPOSE AND INTENT OF THE FUNDS DISTRIBUTED THROUGH ACL WAS INTENDED TO "EXPAND THE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE WITHIN THE AGING AND DISABILITY NETWORKS." AS A RESULT OF THIS INITIATIVE, DAWNCIL ENVISIONED A PLAN TO SUPPORT THE COUNTIES OF MORRIS, SUSSEX, AND WARREN BY PARTNERING WITH EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE TO FOSTER A PARTNERSHIP THAT WOULD NOT ONLY IDENTIFY BARRIERS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM, BUT ALSO TO CREATE A METHODOLOGY FOR ELIMINATING THOSE BARRIERS. PH FUNDS WERE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE REPORTING YEAR AND IN ADDITION TO WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN PRIOR YEARS, DAWN IDENTIFIED A METHODOLOGY FOR HELPING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES LEARN HOW TO PROMOTE THEIR WELLNESS. A HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM ENTITLED "BE WELL AND THRIVE" WAS OFFERED WITHIN MORRIS AND SUSSEX COUNTIES. THIS PROGRAM ALLOWED INDIVIDUALS TO COME TOGETHER IN SMALL GROUPS AND LEARN HOW TO LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE. THE SMALL GROUPS OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEER SUPPORT AND THE BUILDING OF LONG-TERM FRIENDSHIPS ALONG WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR PERSONAL WELL-BEING. ALSO, DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, DAWN SAW ITS MOBILE UNIT TAKE SHAPE. ENSURING ACCESS TO ALL CONSUMERS IS A CRUCIAL PART OF DAWN'S MISSION WHICH THIS MOBILE UNIT HELPS TO PROVIDE. THE MOBILE UNIT BECAME MORE CONSISTENT IN THE SITES IT VISITED AND WAS USED FOR SEVERAL OUTREACH EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE UNIT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN REACHING MORE ISOLATED MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING CONSUMERS BEING ABLE TO HAVE IN-PERSON LIFE SKILLS SESSIONS AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE. FOR SOME WITH LIMITED TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS, THIS WOULD OTHERWISE NOT BE POSSIBLE. OVERALL, THE MOBILE UNIT HAS STARTED TO BECOME A CONSISTENT PRESENCE IN SOME OF THE MORE REMOTE AREAS DAWN SERVICES.
  3. $1.4 million spent. DDD SUPPORT COORDINATION: DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ("DDD") SUPPORT COORDINATION PROGRAM THE SUPPORT COORDINATION PROGRAM PROVIDES COORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT PLAN DETAILING USE OF AN APPROVED BUDGET WHICH IS ASSESSED AND ALLOCATED BY THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY DDD. THIS BUDGET ENABLES INDIVIDUALS TO PURCHASE GOODS AND SERVICES NEEDED TO REMAIN IN THE COMMUNITY AND WORK TOWARDS A GOAL OF COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS AGES 21 AND ABOVE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RESIDING IN MORRIS, SUSSEX, AND SOMERSET COUNTIES.
  4. $424,709 spent. STEP-UP - STUDENT TRANSITION EMPOWERMENT PROJECT UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES (STEP-UP) IS A PROGRAM CREATED BY DAWNCIL, DESIGNED TO COMPLY WITH AND PROVIDE PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SERVICES TO MEET OR EXCEED THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA). ELIGIBLE STUDENTS ARE THOSE IN THE 14-21 AGE GROUP HAVING EITHER AN IEP OR A 504 PLAN PROVIDING NON-CURRICULUM BASED ACCOMMODATIONS. IN ALL CASES STUDENTS WILL BE IDENTIFIED BY OUR ADMINISTRATION AND MUST BE ELIGIBLE FOR DVRS SERVICES. UPON COMPLETION OF THE CLASSROOM-BASED CURRICULUM STUDENTS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A 60-HOUR INTERNSHIP. STEP-UP PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A SYSTEM OF STRUCTURED EMPLOYMENT READINESS SERVICES WHICH GIVE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES OPPORTUNITIES AND THE TOOLS TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO ADDITIONAL EDUCATION, TRAINING, OR COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT.

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 June 1997.

    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.