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Pacer Center Inc

EIN 41-1306304 · Bloomington, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Income
$5.0 million
Spending
$5.2 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
20 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 42%
Employees
66
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$237,100, executive director

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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 60% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 (3)
  1. $3.1 million spent. PACER'S PARENT TRAINING AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM HELPS FAMILIES OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES NAVIGATE SPECIAL EDUCATION, HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, TRANSITION-TO-ADULTHOOD SYSTEMS, AND MORE SO THEIR CHILDREN RECEIVE APPROPRIATE SERVICES AND SUPPORT. PROVIDED 10,968 INSTANCES OF INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE; PRESENTED 126 TRAININGS TO 7,766 ATTENDEES; 95% OF INDIVIDUALS COMPLETING EVALUATION FORMS REPORTED LEARNING SOMETHING NEW.
  2. $651,211 spent. PACER'S SOCIAL INCLUSION PROGRAM SUPPORTS CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES TO BE MORE INCLUDED AND ACCEPTED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION CENTER EDUCATES SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES TO RESPOND TO BULLYING THROUGH ONLINE RESOURCES AND NATIONAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS. PACER'S COUNT ME IN PUPPET PROGRAM TEACHES YOUNG CHILDREN ABOUT DISABILITIES AND INCLUSION, THE FUN TIMES PROVIDED INCLUSIVE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR TEENS WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES. PROVIDED 639 INSTANCES OF INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE; PRESENTED 82 PUPPET SHOWS TO 4,553 ATTENDEES; AND HAD 633,717 VISITS TO NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION CENTER WEBSITE.
  3. $503,690 spent. PACER'S SIMON TECHNOLOGY CENTER MAKES THE LIFE-CHANGING BENEFITS OF TECHNOLOGY MORE ACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS, A LENDING LIBRARY, TRAININGS, AND STEM ACTIVITIES. PROVIDED 2,051 INSTANCES OF INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE; PRESENTED 42 EVENTS FOR 1,858 ATTENDEES; CONDUCTED 106 CONSULTATIONS AND INDIVIDUALIZED TRAININGS; AND HAD 429 VISITS TO THE LENDING LIBRARY.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1980.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.