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Disability Advocates of Kent County

EIN 38-3114474 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ADVOCATE FOR & WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BARRIER-FREE SOCIETY.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 54%
Employees
36
Highest pay
$130,388, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    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 September 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 (5)
  1. $1.2 million spent. CORE SERVICES: SUPPORT PROVIDED VIA THE FIVE CORE SERVICES (AS DEFINED BY FEDERAL REGULATIONS) OF IL SKILLS TRAINING, INFORMATION & REFERRAL, PEER SUPPORT, TRANSITIONS, AND INDIVIDUAL AND SYSTEMS ADVOCACY. THE OUTCOMES INCLUDE SECURING NEEDED REFERRAL SOURCES, BARRIER REMOVAL, PEER SUPPORT AND OTHERS. 2,767.75 HOURS TO 973 CONSUMERS.
  2. $534,416 spent. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES: SUPPORT PROVIDED VIA IN-HOME ASSESSMENTS TO IDENTIFY HOME MODIFICATION AND DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT NEEDS, PROVISION OF SUCH EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING FOR SAFE USE. THE OUTCOMES INCLUDE A MORE SAFE, USABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HOME ENVIRONMENT. 3,199 HOURS TO 937 CONSUMERS.
  3. $156,682 spent. WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES: SUPPORT IN ADDITION TO THOSE WITHIN CORE SERVICES FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC GROUPS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES INCLUDING VETERANS AND THOSE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT. THE OUTCOMES INCLUDE PEER SUPPORT AND REMOVAL OF BARRIERS TO SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT. 2,324.5 HOURS TO 291 CONSUMERS.
  4. $645,024 spent. SYSTEMS ADVOCACY: WORK IN ADDITION TO THAT WITHIN CORE SERVICES FOCUSED ON ACHIEVING AN ACCESSIBLE AND WELCOMING COMMUNITY FOR ALL. AREAS OF CONCENTRATION INCLUDING HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, ACCESSIBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION. THE OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED COMMUNITY AND ELECTED OFFICIAL AWARENESS OF DISABILITY ISSUES AND INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY OF COMMUNITY SERVICES. OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROGRAM REVENUE AND EXPENSE IS ALSO INCLUDED HERE. 5,290.25 HOURS OF STAFF TIME. INDEPENDENT LIVING SUPPORTS: SUPPORT IN ADDITION TO THOSE WITHIN CORE SERVICES FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC GROUPS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES INCLUDING PROVIDING SUPPORT TO ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RESIDING WITH FAMILY AND SUPPORT TO THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS, AND SUPPORT TO THOSE WISHING TO TRANSITION OUT OF NURSING HOMES INTO A COMMUNITY-BASED LIVING ARRANGEMENT. THE OUTCOMES INCLUDE PEER SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY-BASED LIVING. 797 HOURS TO 457 CONSUMERS.
  5. SYSTEMS ADVOCACY: WORK IN ADDITION TO THAT WITHIN CORE SERVICES FOCUSED ON ACHIEVING AN ACCESSIBLE AND WELCOMING COMMUNITY FOR ALL. AREAS OF CONCENTRATION INCLUDING HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, ACCESSIBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION. THE OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED COMMUNITY AND ELECTED OFFICIAL AWARENESS OF DISABILITY ISSUES AND INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY OF COMMUNITY SERVICES. OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROGRAM REVENUE AND EXPENSE IS ALSO INCLUDED HERE. 5,290.25 HOURS OF STAFF TIME. INDEPENDENT LIVING SUPPORTS: SUPPORT IN ADDITION TO THOSE WITHIN CORE SERVICES FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC GROUPS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES INCLUDING PROVIDING SUPPORT TO ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RESIDING WITH FAMILY AND SUPPORT TO THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS, AND SUPPORT TO THOSE WISHING TO TRANSITION OUT OF NURSING HOMES INTO A COMMUNITY-BASED LIVING ARRANGEMENT. THE OUTCOMES INCLUDE PEER SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY-BASED LIVING. 797 HOURS TO 457 CONSUMERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 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 September 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 1998.

    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.