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Handicare Inc

EIN 42-1193531 · Coralville, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Handicare, Inc. is to provide quality care and education to children in a caring and cost-effective manner. To provide developmentally appropriate activities which help the children achieve school readiness and socialization skills, including early intervention and individual adaptations for children as needed. To be supportive of the family unit with flexible schedules and service coordination. To provide care from infancy to nine years of age, with early (Continued from Part III, Line 1) care and education for infants, toddlers and preschool curriculum for 3 to 5-year olds, and before and after school and full-time care during summer and school breaks.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
52
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$64,620, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
  1. $1.8 million spent. Handicare provides childcare to children ages 6 weeks old through third grade. Our three programs begin with an infant-toddler program for children through age 2. Children then move to our preschool curriculum for ages 3-4. We partner with the Iowa City Community School District to offer a free, 3-hour preschool program (four days/week) taught by a licensed teacher, and we also incorporate elements of the curriculum into the rest of our childcare for 3-4-year old's. Our before-and-after school program and summer kids' club serve school-aged children in grades K-3. Handicare serves neurotypical and special needs children, and we prioritize care and education that are developmentally appropriate and inclusive. We welcome under-served populations, including families who receive childcare assistance. We value collaboration among our staff, families, and community partners; connection, embodied in compassionate and understanding care; and creative learning that makes education meaningful and resonant for our children. In 2023 we were able to hire an Operations Manager to strengthen our Administrative Team. We completed the upstairs remodel (installed new flooring throughout, painted rooms, updated offices). We began the first stages of a playground upgrade with plans to complete in 2024. We continued work on obtaining our IQ4K Certificate of Quality from the state of Iowa (this is (Continued from Part III, Line4a) voluntary and reflects the quality of the program). Our playground upgrade was completed in late spring of 2024. We upgraded all aspects of the playground, making a more natural play space. We also included a sandbox area. We also achieved Level One in the IQ4k Certification of Quality programs. This will expire in 2026 at which time we will apply for Level Two.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 March 1983.

    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.