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Removing the Barriers Initiative Inc

EIN 27-4461020 · Lake Wales, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceWeak41 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

REMOVING THE BARRIERS INITIATIVE WAS FOUNDED IN 2011 FOR THE PURPOSE OF REMOVING BARRIERS TO GREAT EXPENIENCES FOR PEOPLE AND FAMILIES WITH DISABILITIES, DIFFERENCES AND SPECIAL NEEDS. WE STARTED BY ASSISTING CAMPS WHO SERVED CAMPERS WITH DISABILITIES BY SOLVING LOGISTICAL ISSUES. WE GOT TRAILS PAVED, SECURED WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE GOLF CARTS, CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE TRAMS FOR HAY RIDES, PROVIDED LIFTS, AND BEACH WHEELCHAIRS. EVENTUALLY, WE WORKED WITH THE FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA TO BUILD WHEELCHAIR INCLUSIVE ARCHERY RANGES AND CONSERVATION CENTERS.AS WE BECAME CONNECTED TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT FLORIDA WE BEGAN TO HELP PROGRAMS FROM DEFUNIAK SPRINGS IN THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE TO LAKE WORTH ON THE GOLD COAST. WE WERE THEN ASKED TO ASSIST THE POLK MUSEUM OF ART WITH MAYFAIRE BY THE LAKE, PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE SERVICES FOR THEIR EVENT IN LAKELAND.THAT SPREAD TO PIONEER DAY AND MAKE IT MAGICAL IN LAKE WALES.THIS YEAR WE LAUNCHED IN MEETING NEEDS WITH TRACK CHAIR

Income
$176,315
Spending
$60,309
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
86.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
0
Volunteers
166

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 86.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 66% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (1)
  1. $35,392 spent. IT IS THE MISSION OF THIS ENTITY TO REMOVE THE BARRIERS TO GREAT EXPERIENCES FOR PEOPLE AND FAMILIES LIVING WITH DISABILITIES, DIFFERENCES AND SPECIAL NEEDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 November 6, 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 December 2024.

    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 March 2011.

    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 November 4, 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.