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Okeefe Educational Media

EIN 36-4488806 · Gulfport, MS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Creating a connected community to provide social support, eliminate barriers, and ensure healthy futures. Disability Connection develops and distributes resources and educational materials such as the MS Community Resource Guides, hosts and partners in community events, provides employment for people with developmental disabilities, supports life issues for low-income individuals and families, and helps develop inclusive playgrounds.

Income
$492,948
Spending
$409,043
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 84%
Employees
4
Volunteers
56
Highest pay
$81,094, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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. $18,497 spent. Community Assist: Disability Connection provides specific assistance to low-income individuals including resource referrals and assistance, clothing, food, medical equipment, home repair and more. Disability Connection assists individuals who call the office in identifying other agencies that can assist them with additional needed resources. Disability Connection develops accessible recreation opportunities such as the development of two community playgrounds.
  2. $23,499 spent. Community Education: Disability Connection provides inclusive community events and programs which vary annually: the Arbor Day 5K-1 Mile-1/4 Mile Run/Walk/Roll; the Art Ability Fair; the Disability Connection Playground Party and the MS Coast Heritage Information Center, which promote accessible heritage and cultural travel opportunities. DC produced the MS Coast Heritage Information Center which is located at www.DisabilityConnection.org with 44 films and 160 pages of information and photographs. This website also hosts a variety of four downloadable, interactive MS Coast Community Resource Guides developed by Disability Connection. Disability Connection has produced and distributed a variety of eleven (11) MS Community Resource Guides.
  3. $254,369 spent. Supported Employment: Disability Connection offers this program to find and support jobs for individuals with intellectual disabilities and provides them a job coach, training and transportation. The program serves about 20 individuals with intellectual disability with employment assistance. Disability Connection also offers a program called Home and Community Supports to support individuals with developmental disabilities in connecting with, and being part of, the community.
  4. $79,206 spent. Community Service: General Programs, and General Program Match for miscellaneous services and all donated items and services. Includes the total Donations of Goods and Service for events and programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 October 13, 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 2025.

    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 May 2002.

    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 October 21, 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.