Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Sherwood Center for the Exceptional Child

EIN 23-7413671 · Kansas City, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 138 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SHERWOOD AUTISM CENTER'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH AUTISM AND RELATED DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITES TO MAXIMIZE THEIR POTENTIAL IN FAMILY AND COMMUNITY LIFE. WHILE AUTISM REMAINS AN IMPORTANT AREA OF EXPERTISE AND FOCUS, THE AGENCY SERVES CHILDREN AND ADULTS OF ALL AGES WITH A WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS AND DISABILITIES.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
66
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$176,603, chief executive officer

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

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 138 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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. $2.5 million spent. SHERWOOD CENTER WAS FOUNDED IN 1974, HOUSED IN A CHURCH BASEMENT PROVIDING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE FOR SIX CHILDREN WITH AUTISM. TODAY, WE ARE IN A MUCH IMPROVED STAND-ALONE SCHOOL BUILDING SERVING A TOTAL OF 61 STUDENTS. SHERWOOD'S SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY 12 SURROUNDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS. SHERWOOD'S SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM OPERATES 220 DAYS A YEAR INCLUDING AN EIGHT-WEEK EXTENDED SUMMER PROGRAM. STUDENT AGES ARE 5-21, ARE REFERRED TO OUR PROGRAM THROUGH THEIR DISTRICTS WHEN A SPECIALIZED SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT IS RECOMMENDED FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE STUDENT. EACH STUDENT HAS INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAMS WHICH INCLUDE SMALL STUDENT TO STAFF RATIOS, BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT IF NEEDED, SOCIAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS, MUSIC THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH, PHYSICAL THERAPY, COMMUNITY BASED INSTRUCTION, AND TRANSACTIONAL SKILLS TOWARDS RETURNING TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM OR GETTING A JOB IN THE COMMUNITY.
  2. $905,225 spent. SHERWOOD CENTER WAS THE FIRST ORGANIZATION IN KANSAS CITY TO PROVIDE DAY SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH AUTISM. SHERWOOD SUCCESSFULLY RAISED OVER 3 MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD A NEW ADDITION TO OUR 8030 WARD PARKWAY PLAZA LOCATION. WITH MUCH NEEDED NEW TRAINING ROOMS DESIGNED TO INCREASE A PERSON'S INDEPENDENT FUNCTIONING, PHYSICAL HEALTH, COMMUNICATION, COGNITIVE TRAINING, SOCIALIZATION, DOMESTIC AND ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT, AND ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING, BEHAVIOR SUPPORT, RESPONSIBILITY AND SELF-DIRECTION. WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER PRE-VOCATIONAL SERVICES THAT INCLUDE JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES ARE CUSTOMIZED TO MEET THE GOALS AND SERVICE NEEDS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL AFTER UNDERSTANDING EACH PERSON'S STRENGTHS AND INTERESTS. IN FY 21-22, WE PROVIDED SERVICES FOR 37 ADULTS, OPERATING MONDAY-FRIDAY, 52 WEEKS A YEAR EXCLUDING HOLIDAYS. SHERWOOD PROVIDES ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE IN SMALL STAFF RATIO (1-1:1-6) FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH.

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 1976.

    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.

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.