Valley Forge Educational Services
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 107 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
VFES OFFERS A CONTINUUM OF EDUCATIONAL, SUMMER AND EMPLOYMENT-RELATED PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. THE HALLMARK OF VFES PROGRAMMING IS ITS COLLABORATIVE AND HOLISTIC APPROACH TO EACH CHILD, ADOLESCENT AND ADULT, RECOGNIZING HIS OR HER UNIQUE ABILITIES AND NEEDS. THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO HELPING STUDENTS AND PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP A STRONG SENSE OF SELF-WORTH, DISCOVER THEIR TALENTS, REACH THEIR GOALS AND PLAN FOR THEIR FUTURES. VFES CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON ITS MISSION OF PREPARING CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL AS CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $30.2 million
- Spending
- $26.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 12.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 87%
- Employees
- 349
- Volunteers
- 144
- Highest pay
- $209,943, cfo/treasurer
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. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 107 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $20.8 million spent. IN THE 2024-25 FISCAL YEAR, VALLEY FORGE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (VFES) BEGAN DOING BUSINESS AS (DBA) THE VANGUARD SCHOOL AND SERVICES (VSS) TO BUILD ON THE 65-YEAR LEGACY OF THE VANGUARD SCHOOL. THROUGH THIS REBRANDED NAME, VSS CONTINUES TO OFFER A CONTINUUM OF EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL, AND EMPLOYMENT-RELATED SERVICES FOR NEURODIVERGENT CHILDREN AND ADULTS. VSS'S MISSION IS TO PREPARE CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL AS CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. VSS FULFILLS THIS MISSION THROUGH THREE SIGNATURE PROGRAMS: THE VANGUARD SCHOOL, VANGUARD RECREATION SERVICES, AND VANGUARD EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.THE VANGUARD SCHOOLESTABLISHED IN 1959, THE VANGUARD SCHOOL WAS THE FIRST PENNSYLVANIA-LICENSED APPROVED PRIVATE SCHOOL (APS). THE VANGUARD SCHOOL SERVES STUDENTS AGED 5-22 WHO REQUIRE A HIGH DEGREE OF INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION AND CLINICAL SUPPORT AND INTERVENTION. STUDENTS WHO ARE EDUCATED AT THE VANGUARD SCHOOL HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, SPEECH-LANGUAGE DEFICITS, INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, AND STUDENTS WITH SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL, EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING, AND BEHAVIORAL DIFFICULTIES. TUITION AT THE VANGUARD SCHOOL IS SATISFIED BY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PA STATE FUNDING.WHILE ENROLLMENT FLUCTUATES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AS OF JUNE 30, 2025, THE VANGUARD SCHOOL SERVED 228 STUDENTS FROM 57 SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT PENNSYLVANIA. THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SERVED 47 STUDENTS, THE MIDDLE SCHOOL SERVED 46 STUDENTS, AND THE HIGH SCHOOL SERVED 71 STUDENTS. THE POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM, VANGUARD TRANSITION CENTER (VTC), PROVIDED 64 STUDENTS, AGED 18-22, WITH WORKFORCE READINESS SKILLS THROUGH EITHER ON-CAMPUS SKILLS TRAINING OR COMMUNITY-BASED VOCATIONAL TRAINING (CBVT). TWENTY STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE CBVT PROGRAM. CBVT INCREASED FROM 10 TO 14 COMMUNITY WORKSITES, ALLOWING STUDENTS MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN WORK SKILLS THROUGH INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING. ALSO, SIX STUDENTS RECEIVED THEIR SERVSAFE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION THROUGH OUR ON-CAMPUS PROGRAM, PHIN'S CAFE. PHIN'S CAF IS A STUDENT-RUN COFFEE SHOP AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENT CATERING TO STUDENTS AND STAFF.THE VANGUARD SCHOOL CONTINUED TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION OF PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY, INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH DIVERSE LEARNING NEEDS. AS OF MAY 2025, WE HELD 434 INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP) MEETINGS, ENSURING THAT EACH STUDENT RECEIVED TAILORED SUPPORTS ALIGNED WITH THEIR UNIQUE GOALS AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRESS.STUDENTS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN MORE THAN 150 COMMUNITY-BASED VOCATIONAL TRAINING (CBVT) TRIPS, OFFERING HANDS-ON WORK EXPERIENCES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO APPLY CLASSROOM LEARNING IN REAL-WORLD SETTINGS. THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL DEMONSTRATED STRONG LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH A FOOD DONATION DRIVE BENEFITING THE CHESTER COUNTY FOOD BANK AND A DONATION DRIVE SUPPORTING HOME OF THE SPARROW, A HOMELESS SHELTER LOCATED IN EXTON, PA.COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP REMAINED CENTRAL TO OUR INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH. WE CONSULTED WITH THE TIMOTHY SCHOOL TO ENHANCE INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING AND INCORPORATE CONCEPTS OF STRUCTURED TEACHING ACROSS IDENTIFIED CLASSROOMS. ADDITIONALLY, THROUGH OUR ONGOING PARTNERSHIP WITH PATTAN'S AUTISM INITIATIVE, VANGUARD CONTINUED TO IMPLEMENT EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES THAT SUPPORT SPECIAL EDUCATION TEAMS THROUGHOUT PENNSYLVANIA. WITH PATTAN'S CONSULTATION, OUR INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES SUPPORTED 12 CLASSROOMS DURING THE YEAR. WE ALSO WELCOMED SANDI SPUHLER AS A NEW INSTRUCTIONAL COACH TO STRENGTHEN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR SOCIAL THINKING CURRICULUM.THE VANGUARD SCHOOL REMAINED DEDICATED TO NURTURING CREATIVITY AND CONFIDENCE THROUGH ARTS AND PERFORMANCE. DURING THE YEAR, 64 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE ANNUAL SCHOOL MUSICAL AS CAST OR CREW MEMBERS, AND 151 STUDENTS SHOWCASED THEIR TALENTS ACROSS CAMPUS-WIDE TALENT SHOWS.
- $1.8 million spent. VANGUARD RECREATION SERVICES (VRS)VRS OFFERS EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS, 7 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER, AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AND LEARNING CHALLENGES. PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT PARTICIPANTS AS THEY CULTIVATE FRIENDSHIPS, EXPAND THEIR REPERTOIRE OF LEISURE AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND PRACTICE SOCIAL AND DAILY LIVING SKILLS AWAY FROM HOME.RECREATIONAL SERVICES INCLUDE CAMPS, RESPITE, SOCIAL GATHERINGS, COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, AND RETREATS. IN THE 2024-25 FISCAL YEAR, VRS SUPPORTED 50 INDIVIDUALS, AGES 7-22, AT CAMP VANGUARD, WHICH WAS RUN AT CAMP KWEEBEC IN SCHWENKSVILLE, PA. VRS'S RETREATS AT MT. GILEAD IN STROUDSBURG, PA, SERVED 28 PARTICIPANTS, AND A RETREAT TO CAMP INNABAH SERVED 13 PARTICIPANTS. VRS ALSO ORGANIZED TWO ADULT RETREATS TO FENWICK ISLAND, DE, PROVIDING RESPITE EXPERIENCES TO 18 ADULT PARTICIPANTS, AGES 22-40.VRS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS BY HOSTING DANCES, TEACHING LIFELONG ACTIVITIES, MEETING FOR LUNCH AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS, AND ORGANIZING COMMUNITY-BASED DAY TRIPS TO PLACES SUCH AS THE ZOO, AMUSEMENT PARKS, FALL HAYRIDES, BOWLING ESTABLISHMENTS, MUSEUMS, MINIATURE GOLF, AND MORE.VOCATIONAL IMMERSION PROGRAM (VIP)VIP IS A FOUR-WEEK INTENSIVE PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM FOR PARTICIPANTS AGES 18-24. DURING JUNE 30-JULY 25, 2025, ITS ELEVENTH SEASON, VIP EQUIPPED 19 YOUNG ADULTS WITH CRUCIAL EMPLOYMENT READINESS SKILLS AND VOCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. SIX COMMUNITY WORK SITES WERE DIVIDED AMONG THE 19 PARTICIPANTS TO GET REAL-WORLD WORK EXPERIENCE.VANGUARD EMPLOYMENT SERVICES (VES) FORMERLY CUSTOMIZED WORKFORCE SOLUTIONSTHE CUSTOMIZED WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS PROGRAM REBRANDED IN 2025 TO VANGUARD EMPLOYMENT SERVICES. VES PROVIDES EMPLOYMENT SERVICES THROUGH THE OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND ID/DD & AUTISM WAIVER TO DISABLED ADULTS AGES 20-61. VES PROVIDED EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION, JOB FINDING, AND JOB COACHING SERVICES TO 60 PARTICIPANTS AT 26 INTEGRATED WORK SITES DURING THE 2024-25 FISCAL YEAR. VES EMPLOYMENT SPECIALISTS HAVE ALL ATTAINED ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY REHABILITATION EDUCATORS (ACRE) CERTIFICATION AS PART OF THEIR ONBOARDING TRAINING. ACRE IS A NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION FOR TRAINERS & EDUCATORS IN THE FIELD OF EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2025, VSS HOSTED ITS SECOND NEURODIVERSE RESOURCE FAIR AND SUMMER CAMP EXPO. THIS EVENT DREW APPROXIMATELY 200 FAMILIES AND 48 SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS/CAMPS, AN INCREASE OF 10 SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FROM LAST YEAR. THE EVENT ALLOWS ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE VITAL RESOURCES AND CAMP INFORMATION TO VANGUARD FAMILIES AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WITH ADULTS AND TRANSITION-AGE YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES. VSS' ANNUAL COMMUNITY DAY, HELD ON SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2025, WAS WELL-ATTENDED. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT OVER 300 INDIVIDUALS ATTENDED THIS COMMUNITY EVENT. VFES HAD 25 BUSINESS PARTNERS THAT HELPED SUPPORT THIS EVENT. THE PURPOSE OF COMMUNITY DAY IS TO PROVIDE SENSORY-FRIENDLY GAMES AND ACTIVITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1963.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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.