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Ellipsis Inc

EIN 42-0680439 · Johnston, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ELLIPSIS MISSION IS HELPING KIDS AND FAMILIES BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS SO THEY CAN WRITE THEIR OWN STORY.

Income
$16.2 million
Spending
$14.5 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
214
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$184,143, past chief exec officer - end may 2025

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

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 152% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • 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 June 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. $6.4 million spent. RESIDENTIAL CARE IS AVAILABLE FOR ADOLESCENTS WHO ARE IN NEED OF TREATMENT SERVICES VIA THE QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOSTER GROUP CARE SERVICES OPERATED ON THE ROSS CAMPUS IN JOHNSTON IOWA AND THE PARK CAMPUS IN DES MOINES IOWA. A LIMITED NUMBER OF SPECIALIZED BEDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR BOYS WITH NEURODEVELOPMENTAL AND COMORBID CONDITIONS AS WELL AS FOR BOYS WITH PROBLEMATIC SEXUALIZED BEHAVIOR. YOUTH WHO ARE UNABLE TO RETURN TO A FAMILY ENVIRONMENT BEFORE THEIR 18TH BIRTHDAY MAY PARTCIPATE IN SUPERVISED APARTMENT LIVING AND PREPARATION FOR ADULT LIVING PROGRAMS TO HELP THEM PREPARE FOR INDEPENDENT ADULT LIFE. KIDS RECEIVING RESIDENTAL CARE SERVICES RECEIVE ADDTIONAL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES LIKE THERAPY OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INTERVENTION SERVICES
  2. $2.6 million spent. ELLIPSIS OFFERS A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT ALL AGES OF KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES OUTSIDE OF ELLIPSIS RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH PROGRAMS INCLUDING THERAPY AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INTERVENTION SERVICES WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO ASSIST YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH ADRESSSING EMOTIONS BEHAVIORS AND FUNCTIONING ISSUES IN THEIR DAILY LIVES AND THROUGH PEDIATRIC INTEGRATED HEALTH HOME WHICH IS TARGETED TOWARD CHILDFREN WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS BRINGING TOGETHER MENTAL PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL HEALTH SERVICES INTO A SINGLE INTEGRATED PROGRAM.
  3. $4.0 million spent. ELLIPSIS PROVIDES CRISIS CARE TO KIDS AT ITS SOUTH CAMPUS NEAR DOWNTOWN DES MOINES IOWA. TEMPORARY AND SHELTER PROGRAMMING OFFERS A SAFE AND STABLE PLACE FOR CHILDREN FOR UP TO THREE DAYS WHILE ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE. THE EMERGENCY SHLETER OFFERS A SAFE AND STABLE PLACE FOR KIDS IDEALLY FOR 30 OR FEWER DAYS WHILE ITS DETERMINED WHETHER THE CHILD CAN RETURN HOME OR BE PLACED INTO FOSTER CARE OR ANOTHER RESIDENTIAL SETTING. CHILDREN RECEIVING CRISIS CARE SERVICES ARE TYPICALLY RECEIVING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS THERAPY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 June 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 January 1952.

    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.