Friends of Children With Down Syndrome of Colorado Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The purpose of the Rise School of Denver is to provide the highest quality inclusive early childhood education and therapy for children with and without developmental disabilities. We do this by providing exemplary school- and clinic-based services for all children and their families.
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 2.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 59%
- Employees
- 37
- Volunteers
- 45
- Highest pay
- $95,552, executive dir.
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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 25% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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: 79 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $943,583 spent. INCLUSIVE SCHOOL & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMSThe School provides high-quality, evidence-based early childhood education and care for up to 50 families annually, serving children with and without disabilities ages 12 months through Pre-K. Inclusive classrooms are staffed by master's-level lead teachers and a transdisciplinary therapy team including speech, occupational, physical, music therapists, and a behavior analyst, with approximately 3040% of students having disabilities or developmental delays. Every child receives individualized screening, assessment, and goal-setting to promote full inclusion and development. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O. The School also offers an After School Program, inclusive therapy-based summer camps, college and university training partnerships, and conducts research and policy advocacy at the local, state, and national levels to advance the field of Early Childhood Special Education.
- $347,115 spent. RISE THERPAPY CENTERLaunched in 2022 on the Rise School campus, the Rise Therapy Center provides child- and family-centered, research-based therapy services to families both within and outside the school community. RTC offers speech, occupational, and music therapy as well as inclusive community group opportunities for children with and without disabilities. Demand for services continues to grow as the RTC fills a critical gap for families in need of accessible, inclusive therapeutic care.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2002.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.
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.