Dr Gertrude a Barber Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE "MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE." WE PROVIDE CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH AUTISM, INTELLECTUAL/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND THEIR FAMILIES THE EDUCATION, SERVICES AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO BE SELF-RELIANT, INDEPENDENT AND VALUED AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE THE PROFESSIONALS WHO SERVE THEM WITH WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
- Income
- $109.6 million
- Spending
- $103.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 0.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 92%
- Employees
- 2,149
- Volunteers
- 63
- Highest pay
- $754,763, president/ceo
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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 35% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 28% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 18 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 (4)
- $52.9 million spent. THE GERTRUDE A. BARBER CENTER, INC. OPERATES RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY HOMES (RCH) SERVING OVER 272 ADULTS IN 92 GROUP HOMES IN THE ERIE, PHILADELPHIA AND PITTSBURGH METROPOLITAN AREAS. STAFF ARE PROVIDED ON A 24/7 BASIS WITH SUPPORT SERVICES THAT HAVE BEEN TAILORED TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL. AN APPROXIMATE TOTAL OF 1.45 MILLION STAFFING HOURS WERE PROVIDED DURING THE PAST FISCAL YEAR.RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS INCLUDE A FULLY ACCESSIBLE GROUP HOME CONSTRUCTED IN ERIE TO BETTER MEET THE NEEDS OF ADULTS WITH SIGNIFICANT PHYSICAL CHALLENGES.THE GOAL OF ALL RESIDENTIAL LIVING ARRANGEMENTS IS TO: FACILITATE AND SATISFY AN INDIVIDUAL'S CHOICES FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ALLOWS GREATER INDEPENDENCE & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROVIDE A STABLE, COMFORTABLE AND LIFE-ENRICHING HOME ENVIRONMENT. ALL RESIDENTIAL HOMES ARE LICENSED AND COMPLIANT WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL AND PENNSYLVANIA REGULATIONS WITH EXCELLENT SURVEY RESULTS. IN ADDITION TO THE TRADITIONAL GROUP HOME DELIVERY OF RESIDENTIAL SERVICES, "LIFESHARING THROUGH FAMILY LIVING" (LIFESHARING) IS A PROGRESSIVE, 'NON-TRADITIONAL' RESIDENTIAL LIVING ARRANGEMENT. IN LIFESHARING, ADULTS RESIDE IN THE HOMES OF THE PROVIDER FAMILIES AND BECOME PART OF THE FAMILY LIVING UNIT, ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO FORM REAL FAMILY BONDS AND ENDURING RELATIONSHIPS. IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE A FORWARD-LOOKING AND FAVORED RESIDENTIAL LIVING MODEL. A TOTAL OF 31 ADULTS ARE SERVED IN THE ERIE AND PHILADELPHIA AREAS IS THE GABC LIFESHARING PROGRAM.
- $17.8 million spent. OUR PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN FOCUS ON EARLY DETECTION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUALIZED INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT PLANS TO HELP CHILDREN REACH THEIR GREATEST POTENTIAL. OUR AUTISM SERVICES OFFER STATE-OF-THE-ART INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILDREN AND SUPPORT FOR THEIR FAMILIES. AN ACUTE PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION PROGRAM IN SOUTHWEST ERIE BEGAN ITS ELEVENTH YEAR OF PROVIDING INTENSIVE THERAPY FOR CHILDREN WITH SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES TO PREVENT ADMISSION TO A HOSPITAL OR INSTITUTION AND REDUCE RECURRING CRISES. OTHER SERVICES SUCH AS TRAUMA AND GRIEF COUNSELING, SOCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, MOBILE THERAPY, AND FAMILY-BASED THERAPIES HELPED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES BETTER MANAGE CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS. OUR INTENSIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES (IBHS) OFFER FAMILIES ADDITIONAL OPTIONS TO PROVIDE THERAPIES FOR THEIR CHILDREN IN HOME AND SCHOOL SETTINGS. ADDITIONALLY, OUR EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDES SPECIALIZED THERAPIES SUCH AS PHYSICAL AND SPEECH THERAPIES AND NUTRITIONAL GUIDANCE TO 340 CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE THREE ACROSS MULTIPLE COUNTIES IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. WE UTILIZE A FAMILY-CENTERED APPROACH TO HELP INFANTS AND TODDLERS OVERCOME CHALLENGES AT AN EARLY AGE WITH THE GOAL OF REACHING THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES AND BEING PREPARED TO ENTER SCHOOL. THE ELIZABETH LEE BLACK SCHOOL (ELBS) AT THE GERTRUDE A. BARBER CENTER, INC. SERVES 244 FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH AGE 21 WITH MULTIPLE CHALLENGES, INCLUDING AUTISM, CEREBRAL PALSY, AND MULTIPLE DISABILITIES. FOR THE 20TH YEAR IN A ROW, THIS APPROVED PRIVATE SCHOOL, WHICH SERVES STUDENTS FROM 21 PENNSYLVANIA DISTRICTS, WAS DESIGNATED AS A SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS. WE ALSO PROVIDE PRESCHOOL CLASSES FOR "TYPICALLY DEVELOPING" CHILDREN WHO LEARN AND GROW ALONGSIDE THEIR PEERS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THE ELBS BEGAN PROVIDING TWO CLASSROOMS IN THE GENERAL MCLANE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO SERVE ITS STUDENTS WITH AUTISM AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES. UTILIZING OUR RESOURCES FOR THERAPIES AND OTHER SUPPORTS, OUR SCHOOL MAINTAINS CONTRACTS WITH THE ERIE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PROVIDE PRESCHOOL FOR CHILDREN ELIGIBLE FOR EARLY INTERVENTION. FOR 16 YEARS WE HAVE PARTICIPATED IN PENNSYLVANIA'S PRE-K COUNTS PROGRAM, RECEIVING A GRANT TO PROVIDE FULL-DAY PRESCHOOL FREE CHARGE TO 57 STUDENTS IN ERIE AND CORRY DETERMINED TO BE AT RISK FOR ACADEMIC FAILURE BECAUSE OF SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS. NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF ELBS INCLUDE: THE INCREASED USE OF TECHNOLOGY WITH IPADS IN EVERY CLASSROOM FOR TEACHERS AND THERAPISTS TO EXPAND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS. INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR GREATER AWARENESS OF THE FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS, WITH EXPERIENCES IN PLAY PRODUCTION, DANCE AND MUSIC DONE IN COLLABORATION WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT INCLUDE ERIE ARTS AND CULTURE, AND THE ERIE PLAYHOUSE. EXPANDED OPTIONS FOR LEARNING AND COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING THE INTEGRATION OF EYE-GAZE TECHNOLOGY THAT ENABLES STUDENTS WITH LIMITED PHYSICAL ABILITIES TO COMMUNICATE BY DIRECTING THEIR EYE FOCUS TO CHOICES ON A COMPUTER SCREEN. PARTNERED WITH ACCREDITED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ON RESEARCH PROJECTS AND PROVIDED EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS IN THE FIELDS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, SPEECH PATHOLOGY, OCCUPATIONAL/PHYSICAL THERAPIES AND OTHER FIELDS.
- $14.5 million spent. THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF ADULT SERVICES IN THE ERIE, WARREN, PITTSBURGH, PHILADELPHIA AND CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA REGIONS, INDIVIDUALS HAVE A CONTINUUM OF CHOICES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUILDING SKILLS AND ACHIEVING GREATER INDEPENDENCE. WE ARE COMMITTED TO CARRYING OUT THE EMPLOYMENT FIRST RESOLUTION ENACTED IN PENNSYLVANIA TO MAKE INTEGRATED COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT THE GOAL FOR ALL PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. TO HELP STUDENTS PREPARE FOR EMPLOYMENT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, THE GERTRUDE A. BARBER CENTER, INC. PARTNERS WITH THE OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (OVR) TO PROVIDE PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SERVICES FOR YOUTH IN THE WARREN REGION THAT OFFERS JOB SHADOWING AND OTHER SERVICES TO PLAN FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT. THE SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM IDENTIFIED JOB OPENINGS AND COACHED ADULTS FOR EMPLOYMENT IN COMPETITIVE, MARKET-BASED JOBS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN NORTHWEST PA, PITTSBURGH, CENTRAL AND THE PHILADELPHIA AREAS. CURRENTLY, IN ITS PROGRAM, 207 ADULTS ARE AT WORK IN INDUSTRIES RANGING FROM FOOD SERVICE, MANUFACTURING, CHILDCARE, RETAIL AND JANITORIAL. MOBILE WORK CREWS FROM SMALL GROUP EMPLOYMENT SERVICES GAIN JOB SKILLS WHILE PERFORMING JANITORIAL DUTIES ON THE GERTRUDE A. BARBER CENTER, INC. CAMPUSES. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT JOB COACHES COMPLETED THEIR FOURTH YEAR WITH PROJECT SEARCH, A COLLABORATION WITH OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT PROVIDES INTERNSHIPS AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR A GROUP OF HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS. THE GERTRUDE A. BARBER CENTER, INC. RESPONDED TO A SWEEPING CHANGE IN THE STATE'S INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY WAIVERS BY PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS TO PARTICIPATE IN RECREATIONAL, VOLUNTEER AND OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THEIR CHOOSING IN THE COMMUNITY. IN PITTSBURGH, THE IN HOME & COMMUNITY SUPPORTS PROGRAM THAT OPENED IN 2009 NOW SERVICES NEARLY 38 ADULTS WITH OUTINGS DESIGNED TO BUILD SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE NEW ACTIVITIES IN THEIR COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SUPPORTS HAS A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS TO MEET THE UNIQUE AND CHALLENGING NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO PRESENT WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF NEED AND COMPLEXITY. THE LEVEL OF CARE EACH PERSON REQUIRES HELPS DETERMINE THE STAFF-TO-INDIVIDUAL RATIO VARYING FROM 1:1 TO 1:6. THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SERVICE OFFERS INDIVIDUALS ENHANCED PERSONALIZED SERVICES FOR GAINING AND MAINTAINING ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS AND BUILDING UPON INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS. THE PROGRAM INCORPORATES COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AS A MAJOR FOCUS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THEIR OWN COMMUNITY, ACCESS COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ENHANCE INDEPENDENCE AS WELL AS EXPAND LIFE EXPERIENCES. ULTIMATELY, FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO EXPLORE COMMUNITY INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT, CPS OPENS COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS WHICH FOSTER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROGRAM THAT BEGAN IN PITTSBURGH IN 2009 CONTINUES TO GROW, OFFERING VARIOUS LEVELS OF ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOP DAILY LIVING AND SOCIAL SKILLS. SENIORS BENEFIT FROM A POSITIVE AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT AT THE LAKESIDE SENIOR CENTER IN ERIE THAT OFFERS ENRICHING OPPORTUNITIES TO RETAIN DAILY LIVING SKILLS AND ESTABLISH STRONG RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH A VARIETY OF MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES. AS SENIORS, THEY FEEL A GREAT SENSE OF SELF-WORTH WITH THEIR COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING INVOLVEMENT. THE IN HOME & COMMUNITY SUPPORTS PROGRAM, KNOWN AS CLUB ERIE, HAS LOCATIONS ON THE EAST AND WEST SIDE OF THE CITY TO BETTER ACCOMMODATE ADULTS. THE COMMUNITY CENTERED, CONSUMER DRIVEN SERVICE IS CURRENTLY SERVING 65 ADULTS. IT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP SOCIAL, PROFESSIONAL, AND LEISURE SKILLS THROUGH A VARIETY OF DAILY ACTIVITIES, WHILE INCREASING THEIR COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM HAS A FOCUS ON PROMOTING VOLUNTEERISM, WITH ADULTS PERFORMING 300 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE ON AVERAGE EVERY MONTH FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF NON-PROFIT AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SKILLS ARE ALSO TAUGHT TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS TO ACCESS COMMUNITY RESOURCES INDEPENDENTLY TO MEET THEIR GOALS. WITH THESE VARIED EXPERIENCES, MANY INDIVIDUALS ACHIEVE A GREATER SENSE OF SELF-WORTH AND SELF-ACTUALIZATION AND MORE FULLY UNDERSTAND THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL.ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN THE WARREN FOREST COUNTY REGION CONTINUE TO ACCESS THE EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES RELATING TO COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT THE NEWLY RENOVATED BOLLINGER CAMPUS OF THE GERTRUDE A. BARBER CENTER, INC.FOR THE FIFTH YEAR, THE GERTRUDE A. BARBER CENTER, INC. PROVIDED PREVOCATIONAL, COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SUPPORTS PROGRAMS IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA, SERVING 35 ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN BEDFORD AND 33 ADULTS IN SOMERSET, PA.
- $3.2 million spent. OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICE OPERATES A FORENSIC OUTPATIENT CLINIC TO PROVIDE THERAPIES AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT FOR ADULTS MEETING REQUIREMENTS ORDERED THROUGH THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. THE GERTRUDE A. BARBER CENTER, INC. OFFERS RECREATIONAL SUMMER CAMPS TO SPECIFICALLY MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, AS WELL AS A CAMP FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS WITH HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM. THE CAMPS FEATURE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SWIMMING AND ARTS, IN ADDITION TO DAILY OUTINGS IN THE COMMUNITY. THESE REVENUES AND EXPENSES ARE INCURRED FOR OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GERTRUDE A. BARBER CENTER, INC.'S MISSION AND FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND INDIRECT COSTS. ADMINISTRATIVE AND INDIRECT COSTS ARE ALLOCATED TO THE PROGRAMS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1975.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.