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Nova Center Inc

EIN 43-1199882 · Kansas City, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NOVA CENTER'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST QUALITY EDUCATIONAL AND HABILATIVE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (L.D., B.D., E.M.H), INCLUDING AUTISM AND ASPERGER'S SYNDROME. WE BELIEVE EACH INDIVIDUAL HAS THE RIGHT TO REACH HIS OR HER HIGHEST POTENTIAL AND TO LIVE AND WORK IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT POSSIBLE. NOVA CENTER PROVIDES INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAMS GEARED TO ALL LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WITH THE GOAL OF ENABLING EACH PARTICIPANT TO LEAD A RICHER, MORE INDEPENDENT AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE.

Income
$9.6 million
Spending
$7.8 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
17.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
165
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$206,280, ceo/cfo

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 88% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.9 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 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 88 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $3.5 million spent. NOVA CENTER OFFERS GROUP LIVING AND INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTED LIVING RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WHOSE BEHAVIORAL DIFFICULTIES INHIBIT THEIR SUCCESS IN TRADITIONAL PLACEMENTS.
  2. $2.0 million spent. NOVA CENTER PROVIDES INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THE SCHOOL IS AN APPROVED PRIVATE AGENCY OF MO DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, AND SERVES 16 KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THE TEACHER TO STUDENT RATIO AVERAGES 1:4. ALL TEACHERS ARE CERTIFIED AND COMPLETE A PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM INCORPORATING INTENSIVE BEHAVIORAL, SENSORY, COMMUNICATIVE AND POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT TRAINING.
  3. $1.0 million spent. NOVA CENTER PROVIDES SUPPORT THROUGH ITS DAY HABILITATION PROGRAM THAT OFFERS TRAINING IN ALL AREAS OF FUNCTIONAL DAILY LIVING FOR PERSONS OVER AGE 21. THIS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, INCLUDING PERSONAL CARE, COMMUNICATION, SAFETY SKILLS, HOME LIVING AND COOKING, SOCIAL RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. ITS RETIREMENT PROGRAM OFFERS A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES TO PEOPLE WHO DUE TO AGE OR PHYSICAL NEEDS, NEED A SLOWER PACED PROGRAM. THE RETIREMENT PROGRAM OFFERS A RELAXED SETTING BASED ON RECREATION. A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES ARE OFFERED AND DESIGNED TO ENHANCE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS AND FRIENDSHIPS.
  4. $75,160 spent. NOVA CENTER ALSO PROVIDES A SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM AND A TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FOR ITS STUDENTS.

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 September 1980.

    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.

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