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Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County Inc

EIN 45-3139194 · Rockville, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 44% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

See Schedule O.

Income
$609,372
Spending
$331,971
Spent on programs
44%
Reserves
18.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
4
Volunteers
175
Highest pay
$56,450, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 133% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    44% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (2)
  1. $145,362 spent. See Schedule O.
  2. Part III - Organizations Primary Exempt Purpose DSNMCs primary purpose and mission is to empower and support individuals with Down Syndrome, their families and the community through education, information, public awareness, and advocacy. DSNMC supports 400+ families in Montgomery County and the Washington, DC Metro area. DSNMC has been consistently successful in achieving its mission, with many initiatives undertaken throughout 2025. Program Service Accomplishments: The Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County, MD (DSNMC) empowers and supports individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community through education, information, public awareness, advocacy, and opportunities for connection and self-determination. DSNMC serves more than 400 families throughout Montgomery County, Maryland, and the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. In 2025, DSNMC added 109 new members, welcomed 17 new and expectant families, and provided 152 hours of lifespan programming through 85 educational, social, recreational, and self-advocacy programs. The organization recorded 2,368 program registrations and provided more than 18 hours of parent and caregiver education attended by 266 participants. DSNMC also awarded scholarships to 18 families to help offset the cost of therapies, camps, equipment, and other supports for individuals with Down syndrome. DSNMCs programs include educational workshops, the annual Techniques for Success Educator Conference, parent and caregiver support, Grupo Latino, transitioning youth and adult programming, the Self-Advocate Community Network, social and recreational activities, and outreach to new and expectant families. Through its New Family & Medical Outreach Initiative, DSNMC partners with hospitals, healthcare providers, and early intervention professionals to provide accurate information, peer support, and resources to families receiving a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. DSNMC promotes self-determination and inclusion through leadership development, self-advocacy training, public speaking opportunities, and community engagement. In 2025, self-advocates served in paid and volunteer leadership roles, participated on committees and the Board of Directors, and represented DSNMC through public speaking and advocacy activities, including participation in the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention. DSNMCs annual Step UP for Down Syndrome Walk and Celebration serves as both an awareness event and the organizations primary fundraiser. In 2025, the event engaged 56 teams, 28 sponsors, 87 volunteers, and more than 500 participants, raising nearly $184,000 to support DSNMCs programs, outreach, advocacy, and family support services. DSNMC has an active Listserv and private Facebook Group so parents can connect, ask questions, and share resources. DSNMC has a Grupo Latino which meets monthly in addition to attending regular events. We reach out to families who receive a pre-natal or post-natal diagnosis of Down syndrome and speak to medical professionals. We present new families with a welcome kit and link them with other families. DSNMC fosters advocacy by providing members with action alerts related to people living with Down syndrome.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 October 2011.

    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.