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Down Syndrome Association of Western Michigan

EIN 38-2641856 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak25 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BE A RESOURCE AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS AND SUPPORTING LIFELONG OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Income
$427,613
Spending
$512,222
Spent on programs
53%
Reserves
-1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
11
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$46,243, executive director (jan. - jul.)

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

Weak: 25 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 96% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    53% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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: 97 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $271,792 spent. [CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O] PROGRAM EXPANSION AND COMMUNITY IMPACT:1. DSAWM PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS, COVERING SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT, BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT, WELLNESS, AND SPECIAL EDUCATION. DELIVERED IN BOTH VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON FORMATS, THESE SESSIONS REACHED OVER 30 PARTICIPANTS. THE PROGRAM EMPOWERED FAMILIES WITH TOOLS TO BETTER SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME ACROSS ALL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.2. ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS INITIATIVES: IN 2024, DSAWM ADVANCED ITS ADVOCACY WORK AT THE LOCAL AND STATE LEVELS. STAFF AND MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN PUBLIC POLICY DISCUSSIONS, SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS, AND AWARENESS EVENTS LIKE WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY AND DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH. DSAWM SPONSORED TWO MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE MICHIGAN SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL AND PRESENTED AT THE 2024 NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME CONGRESS CONVENTION.3. FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS: FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS CONNECTED WITH OVER 50 NEW AND EXPECTANT FAMILIES THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE OUTREACH, WELCOME BASKETS, AND INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES. MONTHLY PARENT SUPPORT MEETINGS FOSTERED PEER CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM ENSURED FAMILIES HAD ACCESS TO EMOTIONAL AND PRACTICAL SUPPORT FROM THE START OF THEIR JOURNEY.4. SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES: DSAWM HOSTED INCLUSIVE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS GAME NIGHTS, HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS, AND MOVIE EVENTS. MEMBERS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS INCLUDING BUDDY UP TENNIS, THERAPEUTIC HORSE HANDLING, AND ICAN BIKE CAMP. THESE OFFERINGS PROMOTED FRIENDSHIP, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION.5. TEEN AND ADULT PROGRAMS: LIFE SKILLS CLASSES FOR TEENS AND ADULTS FOCUSED ON DAILY LIVING SKILLS SUCH AS COOKING, BUDGETING, AND SAFETY. THESE PROGRAMS PROMOTED INDEPENDENCE, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND LONG-TERM PERSONAL GROWTH FOR OLDER MEMBERS OF THE DOWN SYNDROME COMMUNITY.NEW PROGRAMS INTRODUCED IN 2024:IN 2024, DSAWM INTRODUCED SEVERAL NEW PROGRAMS TO BETTER SERVE ITS DIVERSE MEMBER COMMUNITY. THESE INCLUDED THERAPEUTIC HORSE HANDLING, A DRUMMING GROUP, AND THE YOUNG ATHLETES PROGRAM, ALL DESIGNED TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL COORDINATION, SENSORY ENGAGEMENT, AND INCLUSIVE FUN. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO LAUNCHED AN EARLY EDUCATION CLASS TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENTAL READINESS IN YOUNG CHILDREN, AND HELD ITS FIRST FALL FESTIVAL, A SEASONAL CELEBRATION THAT BROUGHT FAMILIES TOGETHER FOR CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY BUILDING. ADDITIONALLY, DSAWM HOSTED A KALAMAZOO FAMILY NIGHT OUT TO EXPAND OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT BEYOND ITS CORE SERVICE AREA.2024 PROGRAM PARTICIPATION SUMMARY:IN 2024, DSAWM SERVED A TOTAL OF 2,499 UNIQUE, UNDUPLICATED PARTICIPANTS THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS AND EVENTS. THIS INCLUDED 347 INDIVIDUALS WHO PARTICIPATED IN ONGOING PROGRAMS, 58 PARTICIPANTS IN EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, AND 2,094 INDIVIDUALS WHO ATTENDED COMMUNITY EVENTS. THESE FIGURES REFLECT DSAWM'S BROAD AND INCLUSIVE REACH, DEMONSTRATING ITS IMPACT ACROSS A DIVERSE RANGE OF AGES, ABILITIES, AND FAMILY SUPPORT 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 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 March 1986.

    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.