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Willows Way Inc

EIN 43-1546798 · Saint Charles, 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

WILLOWS WAY, INC. (THE ORGANIZATION) IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING PERSONALIZED SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, PROMOTING DIGNITY WHILE FOSTERING INDEPENDENCE, GROWTH, AND LIFE CHOICES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. WILLOWS WAY, INC. PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL, DAY SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE ST. LOUIS AND ST. CHARLES, MISSOURI REGION.

Income
$22.5 million
Spending
$18.0 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
12.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
428
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$236,177, chief executive officer

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 12.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% 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

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 (3)
  1. $13.3 million spent. INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT LIVING - SUPPORT PROVIDED FOR CONSUMERS WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, INCLUDING TRAINING, HOME MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND COMMUNITY ACCESS. ALSO INCLUDES HOME HEALTH CARE, MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION, NURSE VISITS AND MEDICAL CASE MANAGEMENT. USUALLY 24 HOURS PER DAY.
  2. $1.0 million spent. INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSISTANCE - SUPPORT PROVIDED FOR CONSUMERS WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY REQUIRING LESS THAN 15 HOURS WEEKLY, INCLUDING TRAINING, HOME MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND COMMUNITY ACCESS.
  3. $1.9 million spent. DAY HABILITATION - PARTICIPANTS ARE MATCHED WITH 1 OR 2 OTHERS IN THE PROGRAM TO SHARE AGE-APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES, GAIN INDEPENDENCE, AND FOSTER A GREATER SENSE OF BELONGING THROUGH BEING PART OF A GROUP. AS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT, INDIVIDUALS ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE MANY BENEFITS THAT RECREATION, SOCIALIZATION AND VOLUNTEERISM HAVE TO OFFER BY TAKING PART IN VARIOUS SELF-SELECTED ACTIVITIES BOTH IN THE COMMUNITY AND ON-SITE. CLASSES ARE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE PERSONAL SUCCESS AND CHOICE WHILE DEVELOPING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG PEOPLE WHO SHARE SIMILAR GOALS AND INTERESTS.

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 October 13, 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 April 1995.

    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 October 21, 2026.

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