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Exceptional Persons Inc

EIN 42-0794846 · Waterloo, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EXCEPTIONAL PERSONS, INC. (EPI) IS DEDICATED TO CONNECTING PEOPLE, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, AND NURTURING GROWTH. OUR MISSION COMES TO LIFE THROUGH FOUR CORE SERVICE AREAS: COMMUNITY LIVING, CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT. WITH A REACH ACROSS 23 COUNTIES, EPI IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING VIBRANT, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES WHERE INDIVIDUALS WITH DIABILITIES CAN THRIVE.

Income
$25.3 million
Spending
$22.2 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 71%
Employees
390
Volunteers
39
Highest pay
$191,235, executive di

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 (5)
  1. $14.0 million spent. COMMUNITY LIVING - EPI EMPOWERS PEOPLE TO LIVE MEANINGFUL LIVES BY PROMOTING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ENSURING THAT EVERYONE FEELS VALUED AND INCLUDED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. IN 2025, WE ACHIEVED A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE: WE HELPED A YOUNG MAN RETURN TO HIS HOME STATE OF IOWA, TRANSITIONING FROM AN INSTITUTIONAL SETTING INTO HIS OWN HOME. THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A COMBINATION OF IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS (DSPS). SINCE MAKING THIS MOVE, HIS QUALITY OF LIFE HAS IMPROVED DRAMATICALLY - INCIDENTS OF ELOPEMENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS HAVE DECREASED, REFLECTING THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF PERSON-CENTERED SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION. CURRENTLY, 100% OF EPI-OWNED HOMES UTILIZE THESE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS, FOSTERING INDEPENDENCE AND GROWTH EVERY DAY. COMMUNITY LIVING - EPI EMPOWERS PEOPLE TO LIVE MEANINGFUL LIVES BY PROMOTING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ENSURING THAT EVERYONE FEELS VALUED AND INCLUDED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. IN 2025, WE ACHIEVED A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE: WE HELPED A YOUNG MAN RETURN TO HIS HOME STATE OF IOWA, TRANSITIONING FROM AN INSTITUTIONAL SETTING INTO HIS OWN HOME. THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A COMBINATION OF IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS (DSPS). SINCE MAKING THIS MOVE, HIS QUALITY OF LIFE HAS IMPROVED DRAMATICALLY - INCIDENTS OF ELOPEMENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS HAVE DECREASED, REFLECTING THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF PERSON-CENTERED SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION. CURRENTLY, 100% OF EPI-OWNED HOMES UTILIZE THESE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS, FOSTERING INDEPENDENCE AND GROWTH EVERY DAY.
  2. $4.3 million spent. CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES - OUR CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES PROVIDE ESSENTIAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES THROUGH CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL (CCR&R). THIS PROGRAM CONNECTS FAMILIES TO QUALITY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND OFFERS TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO CHILD CARE PROVIDERS. BY STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND THE CHILD CARE SYSTEM, WE ARE FOSTERING BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR CHILDREN AND COMMUNITIES ALIKE. IN 2025 ALONE, THESE SERVICES CONNECTED 779 FAMILIES TO QUALITY CHILD CARE, OFFERED OVER 100 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND SERVED 709 CHILD CARE PROVIDERS.
  3. $559,571 spent. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES - EXCEPTIONAL PERSONS, INC. HELPS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ACHIEVE COMPETITIVE, COMMUNITY-BASED EMPLOYMENT THROUGH JOB DEVELOPMENT, SKILLS TRAINING, AND ONGOING SUPPORT. THESE SERVICES FOSTER INDEPENDENCE, FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND INCLUSION. ACROSS THE CEDAR VALLEY, 149 INDIVIDUALS ARE THRIVING IN COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT, WORKING AN AVERAGE OF 14 HOURS PER WEEK AND EARNING AN AVERAGE WAGE OF 12.39 PER HOUR. IN THE PAST YEAR, 29 INDIVIDULAS COLLECTVELY WORKED 8,394 DAYS, AVERAGING 289 DAYS PER PERSON - ABOUT 79% OF A FULL YEAR. THIS STRONG JOB RETENTION REFLECTS EPI'S SUCCESS IN HELPING PEOPLE NOT ONLY FIND JOBS BUT KEEP THEM, CREATING LASTING IMPACT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND THE COMMUNITY.
  4. $863,252 spent. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - OUR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ENSURES THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE SAFE, ACCESSIBLE HOUSING WHERE THEY CAN THRIVE. EPI CURRENTLY PROVIDES HOUSING FOR 252 INDIVIDUALS ACROSS 132 HOMES IN THE CEDAR VALLEY. THESE HOMES OFFER MORE THAN JUST SHELTER; THEY PROVIDE A STABLE FOUNDATION FOR GROWTH AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION, HELPING INDIVIDUALS ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL GOALS AND LIVE INDEPENDENTLY. EXPENSES 517,297 REVENUE 713,836 OTHER PROGRAMS EXPENSES 345,955 REVENUE 335,080
  5. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - OUR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ENSURES THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE SAFE, ACCESSIBLE HOUSING WHERE THEY CAN THRIVE. EPI CURRENTLY PROVIDES HOUSING FOR 252 INDIVIDUALS ACROSS 132 HOMES IN THE CEDAR VALLEY. THESE HOMES OFFER MORE THAN JUST SHELTER; THEY PROVIDE A STABLE FOUNDATION FOR GROWTH AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION, HELPING INDIVIDUALS ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL GOALS AND LIVE INDEPENDENTLY. EXPENSES 517,297 REVENUE 713,836 OTHER PROGRAMS EXPENSES 345,955 REVENUE 335,080

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 May 1958.

    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.