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Pony Bird Incorporated

EIN 43-1188096 · Herculaneum, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

Income
$21.9 million
Spending
$18.0 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
15.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
399
Volunteers
206
Highest pay
$206,906, president & ceo

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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 (4)
  1. $11.3 million spent. COMMUNITY LIVING - THE COMMUNITY LIVING PROGRAM OFFERS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS IN A SAFE, CARING, HOME-LIKE ENVIRONMENT. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS AN EXTENSIVE ARRAY OF RESIDENTIAL SUPPORTS DESIGNED TO ASSIST PEOPLE IN LIVING AS INDEPENDENTLY AS THEIR ABILITIES PERMIT. A TEAM OF QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS WORKS WITH THE INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR FAMILY TO TAILOR AN INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT PLAN BASED UPON THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS AND PREFERENCES. AREAS OF SUPPORT MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: SELF-HELP SKILLS, COMMUNICATION, SAFETY/SURVIVAL SKILLS, DOMESTIC SKILLS, RECREATION/ LEISURE PLANNING, COMMUNITY INTEGRATION, ACADEMICS, MONEY HANDLING AND DECISION-MAKING. INDIVIDUALS ARE ALSO HELPED TO CONNECT TO THEIR RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL, AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS.
  2. $1.7 million spent. COMMUNITY SUPPORT - COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDES TWO, DISTINCT OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. THE FIRST, LOCATED IN HERCULANEUM, OFFERS AN ARRAY OF PROGRAMS TO DEVELOP SKILLS THAT LEAD TO FULLER, MORE INDEPENDENT LIVES. PARTICIPANTS ARE INVOLVED IN DAILY THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES GEARED TOWARD ACHIEVING PERSONALIZED GOALS. GOALS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: INCREASING INDEPENDENCE, PHYSICAL ABILITIES, LEARNING AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS, CHOICES AND DECISION-MAKING. THE SECOND OPPORTUNITY IS LOCATED IN MAPAVILLE AND PROVIDES SPECIALIZED SUPPORTS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES WHO ARE NON-AMBULATORY AND MEDICALLY FRAGILE. THESE PROGRAMS FOCUS ON SKILLS THAT PROMOTE SELF-RESPECT, INCREASE COMMUNICATION AND DECISION-MAKING, AND EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE THEIR BEST POSSIBLE LIVES. BOTH PROGRAMS ARE COMMITTED TO HOLISTIC HEALTH APPROACHES AND SERVE INDIVIDUALS AT EVERY AGE AND STAGE OF LIFE.
  3. $2.0 million spent. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES - EMPLOYMENT SERVICES STRIVE TO DISCOVER, COMPLEMENT, AND DEVELOP VOCATIONAL ABILITIES IN EACH INDIVIDUAL, WHILE PROVIDING SUPPORTS FOR THEM TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES AND OBTAIN MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT. THE PROGRAM ACHIEVES ITS GOALS THROUGH THREE DISTINCT OPPORTUNITIES. FIRST, THE OVER-ARCHING EMPLOYMENT SERVICES MODEL GIVES EACH INDIVIDUAL TOOLS AND SUPPORTS FOR THEIR JOB SEARCH. WITH THE SUPPORT OF A CASE MANAGER AND JOB DEVELOPER, INDIVIDUALS WORK ON SKILL BUILDING IN RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS, APPLICATIONS, JOB READINESS TRAINING CLASSES, MOCK INTERVIEWS AND RETENTION SUPPORTS. SECOND, SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROVIDES EVERY INDIVIDUAL WITH INTENSIVE ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT INCLUDING PRE-EMPLOYMENT DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION, JOB SEARCHES, JOB SUPPORTS, AND LONG-TERM RETENTION. COMMUNITY-BASED WORK ASSESSMENTS, JOB SHADOWS, INDIVIDUALIZED JOB GOALS, AND MORE ARE INCLUDED TO ENSURE THE LONG-TERM SUCCESS OF PARTICIPANTS. LASTLY, THE TRANSITION PROGRAM OFFERS A SIX-WEEK WORK EXPERIENCE AT AN EMPLOYMENT SITE IN THE COMMUNITY FOR STUDENTS ENTERING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR YEAR. A MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION'S TEAM REMAINS ON SITE WITH STUDENTS AND CONDUCTS JOB READINESS TRAINING CLASSES.
  4. $504,268 spent. FAMILY SUPPORT AND LEISURE - THE FAMILY SUPPORT AND LEISURE PROGRAMS EMPOWER AND STRENGTHEN FAMILIES WHO PROVIDE CARE FOR A SON, DAUGHTER, OR OTHER FAMILY MEMBER WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY. THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS EQUIP FAMILY CAREGIVERS SO THEY ARE ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY FACE CHALLENGES AND PROVIDE CARE LONGER. FAMILY SUPPORT OFFERS THREE PRIMARY PROGRAMS. FIRST, MYCARE IS A RESPITE VOUCHER PROGRAM THAT EMPOWERS FAMILIES TO FIND QUALITY CAREGIVERS WHO WILL PROVIDE THEIR LOVED ONE WITH THE SUPPORT AND OVERSIGHT WHEN FAMILY MEMBERS NEED A BREAK. SECOND, THE ORGANIZATION'S RESPITE PROGRAMS PROVIDE SAFE AND ENRICHING SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES WHO ARE NON-AMBULATORY AND MEDICALLY FRAGILE. RESPITE SERVICES MAY BE PROVIDED FOR UP TO TWO WEEKS. LASTLY, KIDSTART IS A LENDING LIBRARY THAT OFFERS HUNDREDS OF DEVELOPMENTAL AND ADAPTIVE MATERIALS AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES AND THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROMOTE EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT FAMILIES BY OFFERING AN AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR ACCESSING VITAL THERAPEUTIC RESOURCES AND EQUIPMENT.LEISURE PROGRAMS ENCOURAGE ACTIVE LIFESTYLES AND OFFER PARTICIPANTS WITH DISABILITIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP PEER RELATIONSHIPS OUTSIDE OF FAMILY AND WORK. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS AN ARRAY OF COMMUNITY-BASED RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, UNIQUE EXPERIENCES, AND VACATIONS GUIDED BY SUGGESTIONS OF PARTICIPANTS. OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE: MONTHLY SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, SPECIAL EVENTS, DINING OUT AND MOVIE NIGHTS, SPORTING EVENTS, SPECIAL OLYMPICS TRAINING AND COMPETITION, WEEKEND GETAWAYS, AND SO MUCH MORE.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1980.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 2026.

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