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The Watson Institute

EIN 25-1561504 · Sewickley, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WATSON INSTITUTE HELPS CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ACHIEVE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES.

Income
$40.3 million
Spending
$10.1 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 73%
Employees
67
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$469,628, ceo/assistant secretary

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 95% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 75% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 210% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 17 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (4)
  1. $1.1 million spent. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, & INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM & RELATED DISORDERS BY PROVIDING INTENSIVE BEHAVIOR HEALTH SERVICES, FAMILY & GROUP THERAPY SESSIONS, SOCIAL SKILLS GROUPS, & MEDICATION MANAGEMENT. THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SERVED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025 TOTALED: 28 INTENSIVE BEHAVIOR HEALTH SERVICES, 59 EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR (ESY); & 324 OUTPATIENT.
  2. $1.4 million spent. TRAINING AND CONSULTATION PROVIDES CONSULTATION, TRAINING, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND CONTRACTUAL SERVICES TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, MENTAL HEALTH/MENTAL RETARDATION AND WRAP-AROUND SERVICE PROVIDERS. 32 SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE SERVED IN FISCAL YEAR 2025.
  3. $5.1 million spent. THE WATSON INSTITUTE SOCIAL CENTER FOR ACADEMY ACHIEVEMENT (WISCA) BEGAN IN THE FALL OF 2008. WISCA IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF ADOLESCENTS WITH HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM WHO REQUIRE THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION AND SUPPORTS THAT CANNOT BE DELIVERED IN A TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM SETTING. AN ONLINE ACADEMIC CURRICULUM IS PAIRED WITH THERAPEUTIC TRAINING AND COMMUNITY BASED INTERVENTION BASED ON EACH STUDENTS INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN. WISCA HAD 101 STUDENTS ENROLLED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.
  4. $155,700 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING THE EDUCATION CENTER AT THE WATSON INSTITUTE.

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 March 1989.

    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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