Skip to the page content
Passes our checks

United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Missouri

EIN 43-0909607 · Saint Joseph, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO POSITIVELY AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE WITH CEREBRAL PALSY AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THROUGH THE PROVISION OF DIRECT SERVICES, COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND BY EMPOWERING SELF-ADVOCACY.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
27.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 78%
Employees
104
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$140,690, 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 61% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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. $1.6 million spent. ADULT PROGRAM - 71 SERVED. THE ADULT PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST ADULTS WITH SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN LEARNING SKILLS TO MAXIMIZE INDEPENDENCE, PARTICIPATE IN VOLUNTEER AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND DEVELOP MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS. THROUGH THE PERSONAL PLANNING PROCESS SKILLS THAT WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ARE IDENTIFIED. INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM PLANS ARE THEN DEVELOPED TO ADDRESS EACH SKILL IDENTIFIED. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN THE CENTER AND/OR COMMUNITY, BASED ON THE NEEDS, INTEREST AND SKILL LEVEL OF THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT. EXAMPLES OF CENTER-BASED ACTIVITIES INCLUDE COOKING, MUSIC, COMPUTER, ARTS AND ACADEMICS. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE VOLUNTEERING FOR LOCAL LIBRARIES, CHURCHES AND MEALS ON WHEELS. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE GOING TO THE GYM, SHOPPING AND BOLWING.
  2. $902,443 spent. CHILDRENS PROGRAM - 203 SERVED. UCPS CHILDRENS PROGRAM PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE DEVLEOPMENT AND LEARNING OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS BIRTH TO 5 YEARS OF AGE. PEDIATRIC SERVICES INCLUDE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, PHSYCIAL THERAPY, SPEECH THERAPY AND DEVELOPMENTAL PRESCHOOL. THESE EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES FOCUS ON ALL AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING, COGNITIVE, COMMUNICATION, FINE MOTOR, GROSS MOTOR, SELF-HELP SKILLS AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED WHERE THE CHILD AND FAMILY NATURALLY SPEND TIME, FAMILIES HOMES, CHILDCARE AND OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY. PRESCHOOL SERVICES AND OUTPATIENT THERAPIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED AT UCPS FACILITIES IN SAINT JOSEPH.
  3. $627,939 spent. EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM - 139 SERVED. THE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM ASSISTS ADULTS WITH DISABILTIES IN OBTAINING SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT. SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE GIVES HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THEIR FIRST JOB WHIL STILL IN SCHOOL. THROUGH DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION AND CAREER PLANNING ACTIVITIES THE INDIVIDUALS STRENGTHS AND NEEDS ARE IDENTIFIED ALONG WITH THEIR PREFERENCES FOR WORK ENVIRONMENTS, HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER JOB RELATED ISSUES. JOB PLACEMENT FINDS A JOB THAT MATCHES THE CLIENTS SKILLS AND PREFERENCES. THE THIRD PHASE OF THE PROGRAM, JOB COACHING, GIVES INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION TO TRAINING THE PERSON TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE WORK ENVIRONMENT. FOLLOW ALONG SERVICE PROVIDES ONGOING SUPPORT TO ENSURE LONGEVITY AND SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT.

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 March 1990.

    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.