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Down Syndrome Innovations Inc

EIN 43-1427760 · Mission, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak37 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MISSION IS TO PROVIDED SUPPORT AND RESOUCES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME, THEIR FAMILIES AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO SERVE THEM. DSI SEEKS TO PROVIDE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WITH INFORMATION AND EDUCATION TO BROADEN AWARENESS AND FOSTER POSITIVE ATTITUDES REGARDING PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME. DSI CURRENTLY SERVES 37 COUNTIES IN KANSAS AND MISSOURI. WE PROVIDE SUPPORT TO OVER 1600 INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
-4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
36
Volunteers
1,000
Highest pay
$228,750, chief execut

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

Weak: 37 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 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 (4)
  1. $1.4 million spent. PUBLIC AWARENESS - DSI WELCOMES 50-60 NEW BABIES AND THEIR FAMILIES EACH YEAR. OUR PARENT-TO-PARENT PROGRAM PROVIDES A WELCOME BASKET, QUARTERLY SUPPORT BREAKFASTS AND PARENT-TO-PARENT MATCHES. OUR BI-MONTHLY CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER IS DISTRIBUTED TO 3,500 HOUSEHOLDS AND CONTAINS UPCOMING EVENTS, COMMUNITY GROUP ACTIVITIES, AND UP-TO-DATE ARTICLES ON MEDICAL OR EDUCATIONAL BEST PRACTICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME. DSI SUPPORTS 14 COMMUNITY GROUPS TO HOST 8-10 ACTIVITIES IN THEIR IMMEDIATE GEOGRAPHICAL REGION TO CONNECT MEMBERS ON A SMALLER SCALE. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, DSI FACILITATES AWARENESS INITIATIVES IN SCHOOLS AND IN THE COMMUNITY OFTEN SHOWING JUST LIIKE YOU-DOWN SYNDROME FILM, TO FOSTER POSITIVE ATTITUDES AND EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME. SHOULD ANY OF OUR MEMBERS EXPERIENCE AN OVERNIGHT STAY IN THE HOSPITAL, DSI PROVIDES A 50 MEAL VOUCHER TO SUPPORT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STAY. MEMBERS CAN SHOW SUPPORT OF THE DSI BRAND BY PURCHASING BRANDED ITEMS TO GENERATE AWARENESS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY. ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS AND OTHERS ARE SHARED IN DETAIL IN THE DSI ANNUAL REPORT. PUBLIC AWARENESS - DSI WELCOMES 50-60 NEW BABIES AND THEIR FAMILIES EACH YEAR. OUR PARENT-TO-PARENT PROGRAM PROVIDES A WELCOME BASKET, QUARTERLY SUPPORT BREAKFASTS AND PARENT-TO-PARENT MATCHES. OUR BI-MONTHLY CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER IS DISTRIBUTED TO 3,500 HOUSEHOLDS AND CONTAINS UPCOMING EVENTS, COMMUNITY GROUP ACTIVITIES, AND UP-TO-DATE ARTICLES ON MEDICAL OR EDUCATIONAL BEST PRACTICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME. DSI SUPPORTS 14 COMMUNITY GROUPS TO HOST 8-10 ACTIVITIES IN THEIR IMMEDIATE GEOGRAPHICAL REGION TO CONNECT MEMBERS ON A SMALLER SCALE. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, DSI FACILITATES AWARENESS INITIATIVES IN SCHOOLS AND IN THE COMMUNITY OFTEN SHOWING JUST LIIKE YOU-DOWN SYNDROME FILM, TO FOSTER POSITIVE ATTITUDES AND EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME. SHOULD ANY OF OUR MEMBERS EXPERIENCE AN OVERNIGHT STAY IN THE HOSPITAL, DSI PROVIDES A 50 MEAL VOUCHER TO SUPPORT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STAY. MEMBERS CAN SHOW SUPPORT OF THE DSI BRAND BY PURCHASING BRANDED ITEMS TO GENERATE AWARENESS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY. ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS AND OTHERS ARE SHARED IN DETAIL IN THE DSI ANNUAL REPORT.
  2. $37,457 spent. PUBLIC EDUCATION - DSI HOSTS ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES TO BRING TOGETHER EXPERTS IN THE FIELD TO DISCUSS BEST PRACTICES IN WORKING WITH INDIVIUDALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR DSI SPONSORED OR NATIONAL SPONSORED CONFERENCES. DSI ALSO HOSTS SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS REQESTED BY DSI MEMBERS. DSI PARTNERS WITH 45 LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO HAVE NAMED DOWN SYNDROME SPECIALISTS WHO ACT AS LIAISONS BETWEEN DSI, SCHOOLS, AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY DOWN SYNDROME. WE OFFER THE SPECAILISTS A RESOURCE MANUAL, FREE REGISTRATION TO DSI CONFERENCES, BI-ANNUAL BREAKFASTS TO EXCHANGE IDEAS AND MAKE DSI AWARE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NEEDS AND ONGOING UPDATES REGARDING RESEARCH AND BEST PRACTICES FOR EDUCATING STUDENTS WITH DOWN SYNDROM. DSI ALSO OFFERS INDIVIDUALIZED TRAINING AND PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO HAVE DOWN SYNDROME SPECIALISTS. INFORMATION CAN BE ACCESSED BY ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH DSI'S 24-HOUR PHONE INFORMATION LINE. PUBLIC EDUCATION - DSI HOSTS ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES TO BRING TOGETHER EXPERTS IN THE FIELD TO DISCUSS BEST PRACTICES IN WORKING WITH INDIVIUDALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR DSI SPONSORED OR NATIONAL SPONSORED CONFERENCES. DSI ALSO HOSTS SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS REQESTED BY DSI MEMBERS. DSI PARTNERS WITH 45 LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO HAVE NAMED DOWN SYNDROME SPECIALISTS WHO ACT AS LIAISONS BETWEEN DSI, SCHOOLS, AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY DOWN SYNDROME. WE OFFER THE SPECAILISTS A RESOURCE MANUAL, FREE REGISTRATION TO DSI CONFERENCES, BI-ANNUAL BREAKFASTS TO EXCHANGE IDEAS AND MAKE DSI AWARE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NEEDS AND ONGOING UPDATES REGARDING RESEARCH AND BEST PRACTICES FOR EDUCATING STUDENTS WITH DOWN SYNDROM. DSI ALSO OFFERS INDIVIDUALIZED TRAINING AND PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO HAVE DOWN SYNDROME SPECIALISTS. INFORMATION CAN BE ACCESSED BY ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH DSI'S 24-HOUR PHONE INFORMATION LINE.
  3. $347 spent. SOCIAL EVENTS - DSI SUPPORTS MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFE SPAN BY HOSTING SPECIAL EVENTS TO HELP MEMBERS AND FAMILIES ENGAGE AND CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER. SOCIAL EVENTS OFFER UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO MEET, FORM FRIENDSHIPS, AND SHARE RESOURCES. WE HOST 5 ALL GUILD ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WHICH WELCOME THE MEMBER WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND IMMEDIATE FAMILTY MEMBERS TO ACTIVITIES LOCATED AROUND THE METRO. ELEMENTARY AGED STUDENTS MEET QUARTERLY AT THE DSI OFFICE FOR EVENTS AND PREPARATION FOR THE S.T.A.R.S. PROGRAM WHICH MEETS WEEKLY ONCE MEMBERS TURN 12 YEARS OLD. ADULTS CAN ENJOY MONTHLY DSG ACTIVITIES IN ADDITION TO REGULAR COMMUNITY EVENTS AVAILABLE TO THEM. EACH MEMBER IS RECOGNIZED DURING HIS/HER BIRTHDAY MONTH THROUGH THE DSI BIRTHDAY BLUB WHICH SENDS A CARD TO EACH MEMBER. SOCIAL EVENTS - DSI SUPPORTS MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFE SPAN BY HOSTING SPECIAL EVENTS TO HELP MEMBERS AND FAMILIES ENGAGE AND CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER. SOCIAL EVENTS OFFER UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO MEET, FORM FRIENDSHIPS, AND SHARE RESOURCES. WE HOST 5 ALL GUILD ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WHICH WELCOME THE MEMBER WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND IMMEDIATE FAMILTY MEMBERS TO ACTIVITIES LOCATED AROUND THE METRO. ELEMENTARY AGED STUDENTS MEET QUARTERLY AT THE DSI OFFICE FOR EVENTS AND PREPARATION FOR THE S.T.A.R.S. PROGRAM WHICH MEETS WEEKLY ONCE MEMBERS TURN 12 YEARS OLD. ADULTS CAN ENJOY MONTHLY DSG ACTIVITIES IN ADDITION TO REGULAR COMMUNITY EVENTS AVAILABLE TO THEM. EACH MEMBER IS RECOGNIZED DURING HIS/HER BIRTHDAY MONTH THROUGH THE DSI BIRTHDAY BLUB WHICH SENDS A CARD TO EACH MEMBER.
  4. OTHER

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 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 December 2024.

    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 March 1987.

    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.

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.