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Passes our checks

The Arc-Jefferson Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties

EIN 23-7162049 · Lakewood, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ARC PROMOTES AND PROTECTS THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITES AND ACTIVELY SUPPORTS THEIR FULL INCLUSION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIMES.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
24.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
20
Highest pay
$146,194, executive di

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 24.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 60% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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. $1.4 million spent. THE ARC - JEFFERSON, CLEAR CREEK & GILPIN COUNTIES (THE ARC OR ORGANIZATION) PROMOTES AND PROTECTS THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (I/DD) AND ACTIVELY SUPPORTS THEIR FULL INCLUSION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIMES. THE ARC SERVES INDIVIDUALS FROM BIRTH THROUGH END OF LIFE IN OUR THREE COUNTY AREA. LIFE-CHANGING SUPPORT IS PROVIDED IN A NUMBER OF WAYS AT THE ARC. OUR MAIN FOCUSES ARE ON EMPOWERING FAMILIES, SUPPORTING SELF-ADVOCACY, EXPANDING COMMUNITY ACCESS, AND CHANGING COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS. --------------- SEE SCHEDULE O FOR MORE DETAILS ----------------
  2. EMPOWERING FAMILIES: FAMILY MEMBERS ARE OFTEN A PERSON'S LIFELONG ADVOCATE AND TYPICALLY THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE INDIVIDUAL BEST. THIS PROGRAM DEVELOPS AND STRENGTHENS ADVOCACY SKILLS IN FAMILY MEMBERS AS THEY SUPPORT THE NEEDS AND DESIRES OF THE INDIVIDUAL WITH IDD WHOM THEY LOVE. THE ARC TEACHES PEOPLE HOW TO ENSURE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL CAN LEAD A FULL, SELF- DIRECTED LIFE WITH THE RIGHT SUPPORT. SUPPORTING SELF-ADVOCACY: THE MOST IMPORTANT VOICE IN ANY CONVERSATION ABOUT SOMEONE'S LIFE IS THAT OF THE INDIVIDUAL WITH DISABILITIES THEMSELVES. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, THE ARC BUILDS ADVOCACY SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE IN PEOPLE WITH I/DD OF ALL AGES AND ENCOURAGES THEM TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES WHENEVER POSSIBLE. EXPANDING COMMUNITY ACCESS: THE SYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD ARE CRITICAL TO THEIR LIVES. THIS PROGRAM ENSURES THAT THE ARC REPRESENTS THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY LOCALLY, AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AND HELPS TO CREATE POSITIVE SYSTEMS CHANGE THAT TRULY MAKES LIVES BETTER. CHANGING COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS: ONE OF THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES PEOPLE WITH IDD ENCOUNTER IS THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF THEM. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, WE WORK TO DISPEL MYTHS, CORRECT MISCONCEPTIONS, CHANGE ATTITUDES, AND HELP PEOPLE SEE INDIVIDUALS' ABILITIES AND WORTH. AS A RESULT, WE WILL CREATE A WELCOMING COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE IS VALUED AND RESPECTED. THROUGH RECENT SURVEYS, FOCUS GROUPS AND DIRECT FEEDBACK, THE ARC IS BOTH LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITY'S NEEDS. ADVOCACY HAS BEEN RE- ORGANIZED TO FOCUS ON THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THREE AGE GROUPS: CHILDREN/FAMILIES, TEENS/YOUNG ADULTS, AND ADULTS - KNOWING THAT EACH STAGE OF LIFE COMES WITH ITS OWN DESIRES AND CHALLENGES. WE'RE ENGAGED BOTH PROACTIVELY AND RESPONSIVELY TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY.

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 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 June 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 August 1961.

    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.

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