Area Residential Care Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
It is the mission of Area Residential Care to empower people with intellectual disabilities to achieve their highest quality of life.
- Income
- $10.1 million
- Spending
- $9.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 13.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 96%
- Employees
- 222
- Volunteers
- 9
- Highest pay
- $115,844, executive director
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
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 45 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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $7.0 million spent. Area Residential Care gives people the supervision and assistance they need to learn the skills that will help them achieve their highest quality of life.ICF (Intermediate Care Facility for persons with intellectual disabilities) Licensed Homes:*8 bed homes integrated in neighborhoods within Dubuque for those in need of more intense training in basic living skills and/or behavior management.*1:3 or 1:2 staff ratio during the most active portion of their day. Statement Continued on Schedule O.Program Service Statement Continued:*Physical restraints may be used for behaviors if stated in their plan. *Must meet 3 areas of need in major life activities:*Ambulation/Mobility*Musculoskeletal Disabilities*Activities of Daily Living*Eating Skills*Elimination*Sensorimotor*Maladaptive Behaviors*Understanding/Use of Language*Vocational/Social*Healthcare (nursing services provided)RCF (Residential Care Facility for persons with intellectual disabilities):*5 bed homes located throughout Dubuque for those in need of minimal assistance with personal care and supervision.*Staff provide training and assistance in food prep, laundry, shopping, budgeting, and other skills that lead to more independent living.*Majority of self-care tasks can be completed without significant physical assistance.*1:5 staff ratio*Behaviors can be controlled without physical restraint.*Do not require nursing care.HCBS (Home Community Based Services):*5 bed homes located throughout Dubuque and Dyersville for those who need minimal assistance in:*Skill development*Respite*Transportation*Other supports as needed*Comparable to renting with roommates*All bills are split equally amongst residents.Apartment Community Living Services:*These services are available in Dubuque and Dyersville.*For those with very independent living skills, living alone or with others*Apartment Services range from 24 hour site-based services to very independent living where consumers may only have contact with staff a few hours a month.*Staff check in routinely to provide needed support and run programs.*Daily, weekly, or monthly depending on need and units provided.Vocational Programs:*Sheltered Employment for ICF/ID *Subcontract work is brought in from local industries, where workers with disabilities perform job tasks under close staff supervision. *1:2 to 1:6 staff ratio during work time.*Behavioral, social, and skill training are a significant part of the services offered in this setting.Supported/Community Employment Enclaves:*Employment opportunities for people with disabilities are offered at many businesses and industries in Dubuque, Dyersville, and surrounding areas.*Workers report to the community business and perform work at that site, alongside other employees of the business.*Area Residential Care staff supervise the consumer during their scheduled shift, depending on need and independence.*Staff is the liaison with the business owner and consumers working.Mobile Work Crew:*Work crew that consists of 4-8 workers with disabilities and a staff member/crew foreman.*Crew members work semi-independently with the assistance of their crew foreman.*Foreman provides members assistance in building skills toward a more independent job in the future.*The crew works at a number of businesses each day; moving from one business to another. *Staff provide transportation in an agency vehicle.Independent Supported Employment:*Wide variety of employment opportunities almost exclusively integrated within the community for those with disabilities.*Job coaches are assigned to each worker to provide one-on-one training on each job task.*As workers increase their skill level, natural work environment supports are phased in and direct job coaching is phased out. ICF:Our ICF programs serve 24 individuals with intellectual disabilities in residential and day programming. Individuals require 24-hour staff support with a ratio of 3 clients per 1 staff person. Residential programs are offered in 3, 8-bed homes that operate 365 days per year. Day programs, including the production program, are offered in the agency main building, Monday-Friday, 50 weeks per year. The objective of ICF programming is to teach life and employment skills so that individuals can live more independently in a less structured care setting. RCF/HCBS:Our RCF/HCBS programs serve 53 individuals with intellectual disabilities in residential programming. Individuals require 24-hour staff support with a ratio of 5 clients per 1 staff person. Residential programs are offered in 11, 5-bed homes that operate 365 days per year. The objective of RCF/HSBS programming is to promote independence in everyday living. Annual goals measure satisfaction and community access. Day Hab: Our Day Hab programming supports 39 individuals with intellectual disabilities. Programming helps in the development of life and community integrations skills, so individuals are better able to socialize, manage behaviors, direct their daily living activities, and improve their self-advocacy skills.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1969.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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