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Bittersweet Inc

EIN 34-1218722 · Whitehouse, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CALLING OF BITTERSWEET, INC. IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND ACTIVE TREATMENT PROGRAMS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM. ENCOMPASSING AN ARRAY OF ENVIRONMENTS AND SERVICES ACROSS THREE DIFFERENT SETTINGS, THE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO INCREASE AUTONOMY AND SELF-RELIANCE, ENABLE CHOICES, MAXIMIZE DIGNITY, AND ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY INTERACTIONS. BITTERSWEET, INC. FURTHER STRIVES TO POSITIVELY AFFECT THE LIVES OF THOSE WITH AUTISM THROUGH HABILITATION AND VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN A FARM ENVIRONMENT AND BY PROVIDING CONSULTATION AND TRAINING TO FAMILIES AND PROFESSIONALS.

Income
$9.1 million
Spending
$8.6 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
332
Volunteers
86
Highest pay
$126,418, interim executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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

Strong: 92 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 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 (3)
  1. $3.4 million spent. ICF/IID - LICENSED MEDICAID INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WHICH IS CERTIFIED TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL STANDARDS IN THE AREAS OF MANAGEMENT, CLIENT PROTECTIONS, FACILITY STAFFING, ACHIEVE TREATMENT SERVICES, CLIENT BEHAVIOR AND FACILITY PRACTICES, HEALTHCARE SERVICES, PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND DIETETIC SERVICES.
  2. $2.0 million spent. DAY HAB SERVICES - INCLUDE ADULT DAY SUPPORT, VOCATIONAL HABILITATION, NON-MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION AND AN ADOLESCENT TRANSITIONAL SCHOOL PROGRAM.
  3. $2.0 million spent. COMMUNITY LIVING - PROVIDES COMMUNITY LIVING SERVICES TO BOTH ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS. ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE.

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 September 1977.

    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.