Achievement Center for Children
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O
- Income
- $15.8 million
- Spending
- $13.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 14 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 62%
- Employees
- 339
- Volunteers
- 997
- Highest pay
- $219,925, 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
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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.
Independent board
25 of 2535 of 35 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)
- $1.4 million spent. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES ENCOMPASS A DIVERSE RANGE OF SOCIAL SERVICE OFFERINGS. THESE SERVICES SPAN FROM COUNSELING, PARENT EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, SERVICE COORDINATION, CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND RESOURCE AND REFERRAL GUIDANCE. THE OVERARCHING AIM OF THESE SERVICES IS TO EQUIP PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS WITH THE NECESSARY TOOLS TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND TO SUPPORT THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF ALL FAMILY MEMBERS. OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO EMPOWER FAMILIES TO THRIVE, NOT MERELY ENDURE. AS A CERTIFIED MENTAL PROVIDER AT BOTH THE STATE AND COUNTY LEVELS, ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS FOR CHILDREN (ACC) OFFERS A RANGE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THIS INCLUDES OUR INFANT/EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH (I/ECMH) AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (BH) PROGRAM, WHICH IS DEDICATED TO ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES AND NURTURING THE STRENGTHS OF INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE LIFESPAN, WHO ARE GRAPPLING WITH SIGNIFICANT SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND/OR BEHAVIORAL DISTRESS, OFTEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.OUR FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAMS ALSO INCLUDE OFFERINGS SUCH AS INFANT MASSAGE TRAINING, HELP ME GROW HOME VISITING, I/ECMH STATE SUPPORT TEAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OHIO DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES STATE SUPPORT TEAM (SST) CONSULTATION.
- $2.7 million spent. RECREATION HAS BEEN AN AGENCY FOCUS SINCE THE FOUNDING OF CAMP CHEERFUL IN 1947. LOCATED ON 52 ACRES IN THE CLEVELAND METROPARKS' MILL STREAM RUN RESERVATION IN STRONGSVILLE, IT WAS THE FIRST ACCESSIBLE RESIDENTIAL CAMP FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN OHIO. IT IS ACC'S PHILOSOPHY THAT CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES NEED THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE FUN AND JUST BE KIDS. CAMP CHEERFUL CAMPERS PARTICIPATE IN ALL OF THE TRADITIONAL SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITIES. THESE INCLUDE HIKING, SWIMMING, FISHING, HORSEMANSHIP, ARTS AND CRAFTS, NATURE STUDY, GAMES, CAMPFIRE ACTIVITIES, MUSIC AND SPORTS-ALL IN AN ADAPTED ENVIRONMENT. CAMP CHEERFUL PROVIDES SEVERAL RESIDENTIAL AND DAY CAMP PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS OTHER SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS OFFERED BY ACC INCLUDE CHEERFUL DAY, A DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN 5 TO 21 YEARS OF AGE WITH DISABILITIES; SENSATIONAL EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR (ESY), PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN 5 TO 21 YEARS OF AGE WHO HAVE AUTISM; AND NUMEROUS OTHER RESIDENTIAL CAMP PROGRAMS FOR ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS. WEEKEND RESIDENTIAL CAMP PROGRAMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE YEAR-ROUND. ALL CAMP PROGRAMS PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED RESPITE FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS. RECREATION ALSO FEATURES THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP AND ADAPTED SPORTS PROGRAMS. OUR THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP PROGRAM OFFERS RIDING LESSONS AND HORSEMANSHIP ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN (AGES 4 AND OLDER) AND ADULTS, WITH AND WITHOUT SPECIAL NEEDS. ALL PROGRAM STAFF MEMBERS ARE ACCREDITED THROUGH PATH (PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP) AND OUR PROGRAM IS ONE OF JUST A FEW IN THE STATE TO BE A PREMIER ACCREDITED CENTER. THE ADAPTED SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IS UNIQUE IN PROVIDING A ONE-ON-ONE VOLUNTEER TO ANY ATHLETE WHO NEEDS IT AND OUR TEAMS ARE TAILORED TO EACH ATHLETE'S AGE AND ABILITIES. OUR PROGRAM HAS GROWN TO INCLUDE FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, SOCCER, BASEBALL, TENNIS, AND GOLF, PROVIDING ALL PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY AND SUCCEED IN SPORTS. ADAPTED SPORTS IS DESIGNED WITH ALL ATHLETES' NEEDS AND ABILITIES IN MIND. WE OFFER CLEVELAND BROWN ADAPTED FOOTBALL, ADAPTED BASEBALL, SOCCER, TENNIS, GOLF, & JR. CAVS ADAPTED BASKETBALL. ADULT DAY SERVICES CENTERS ON OUR RIVER ROCK ADULT DAY PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES A SEAMLESS CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. HOSTED AT OUR CAMP CHEERFUL CAMPUS, PROGRAMMING HAPPENS IN A UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT SURROUNDED BY NATURE. RIVER ROCK PROVIDES ENGAGING SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES CUSTOMIZED TO EACH INDIVIDUAL'S SPECIAL NEEDS, ABILITIES, AND INTERESTS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ARTS AND CRAFTS, COOKING AND DAILY LIVING SKILLS, EXERCISE AND SPORTS, LEARNING LABS, COMMUNITY OUTINGS, AND HORSEMANSHIP ACTIVITIES IN THE HORSE BARN.
- $3.3 million spent. EDUCATION INCLUDES OUR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP), AS WELL AS OUR AUTISM SCHOOL PROGRAM.TAP FACILITATES THE INCLUSION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES INTO CHILDCARE PROGRAMS AND SCHOOLS AND AT HEAD START LOCATIONS ACROSS NORTHEAST OHIO. OUR AUTISM SCHOOL IS AN ALTERNATE PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAM SITE OFFERING COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOMS AT OUR HIGHLAND HILLS AND WESTLAKE FACILITIES, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)OUR HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF USES A BLENDED METHODOLOGY OF INTERVENTION METHODS TO CREATE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLANS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM. THIS PROGRAM FILLS A VOID IN THE NORTHEAST OHIO AREA AND ALLOWS MANY MORE CHILDREN TO BENEFIT FROM THE BLENDED MODEL OF TEACHING WHICH ACC HAS PIONEERED. WE SERVE HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM ACROSS ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS EACH YEAR AND ARE CONSIDERED AN EXPERT IN SERVING THE CHILDREN MOST SEVERELY AFFECTED BY THE DISORDER, WITH A GOAL TO ALWAYS RETURN STUDENTS TO THEIR HOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHEN POSSIBLE.
- $3.6 million spent. THERAPY SERVICES INCLUDE COMPREHENSIVE PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, AND SPEECH/LANGUAGE THERAPIES DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE FUNCTIONING OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. OUTPATIENT THERAPY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT HIGHLAND HILLS AND WESTLAKE. IN ADDITION, NORTH COAST THERAPY ASSOCIATES (NCTA), A SUBSIDIARY OF ACC, PROVIDES OCCUPATIONAL AND PHYSICAL THERAPY IN A GROWING NUMBER OF LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS.OUR EXPERT, LICENSED THERAPISTS HAVE ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN AREAS SUCH AS FEEDING, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, AND NEURODEVELOPMENT TREATMENT. WE USE INNOVATIVE THERAPY APPROACHES AND BLENDED STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE CHANGE IN FUNCTIONAL SKILLS. CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH A BROAD RANGE OF DISABILITIES BENEFIT FROM OUR HIGHLY CUSTOMIZED CONTINUUM MODEL OF INTERVENTION ACROSS THEIR LIFESPAN. THERAPY SESSIONS MAY HAVE A MORE CONVENTIONAL DURATION AND FREQUENCY, THEY MAY BE DESIGNED ACCORDING TO OUR "BURST" METHOD OR THEY MAY BE MORE INTENSIVE. THE THERAPY CLINIC'S "BURST" TREATMENT MODEL IS DESIGNED TO GIVE CHILDREN AN ADDED CONCENTRATION OF THERAPY AND OPTIMIZE THEIR PROGRESS IN SHORTER-LENGTH SESSIONS. THE INTENSIVE THERAPY CLINIC INCREASES THE FOCUS, INTENSITY, AND DURATION OF THERAPY SESSIONS. TYPICAL RESULTS OF SUCH TREATMENT INCLUDE INCREASED MOTOR SKILLS, IMPROVED MUSCLE STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY, AND BETTER BALANCE AND COORDINATION. THERAPISTS COLLABORATE AS A TEAM TO OPTIMIZE OUTCOMES IN ALL AREAS OF THERAPY INTERVENTION.
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 August 1951.
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.
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