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Optimal Rhythms Inc

EIN 46-3704955 · Newburgh, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 67 cents.

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

What it says it does

OPTIMAL RHYTHMS IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM TO ACHIEVE THEIR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL, WHILE BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND INDEPENDENCE FOR THEIR LIVES. WE PROVIDE AUTISM TRAINING TO EDUCATORS, ADMINISTRATORS, THERAPISTS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, CONGREGATIONS, FIRST RESPONDERS, ETC. VIA OUR SCHOOL, OUR CAMP, OUR ANNUAL CONFERENCE, AND OUR RESEARCH. OUR PROGRAMS FOCUS ON SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND ADULTS CHALLENGED BY THEIR MOTOR AND COMMUNICATION DIFFERENCES.

Income
$551,690
Spending
$616,437
Spent on programs
51%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
11
Volunteers
95
Highest pay
$75,603, president

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: 39 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    51% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 67 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

Good: 71 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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, 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. $256,113 spent. ACCESS ACADEMY THERAPEUTIC DAY SCHOOL FOR AUTISTIC STUDENTS THE PROGRAM IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL CLASSROOM FOR STUDENTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM WHO ARE NOT MAKING ADEQUATE ACADEMIC PROGRESS IN THE TRADITIONAL SCHOOL SETTING. STUDENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH SPECIALLY-DESIGNED COST-EFFECTIVE SUPPORTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS THAT ALLOW ENROLLED AUTISTIC STUDENTS ACCESS TO AGE- APPROPRIATE LEARNING, WHILE DECREASING THEIR PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIORS. THE SCHOOL IS USED TO IMPLEMENT AND EVALUATE RESEARCH TO HELP ESTABLISH A BEST PRACTICE MODEL.
  2. $1,004 spent. ACCESS FAMILY SUMMER INTENSIVES PROVIDE CAREGIVERS WITH CRUCIAL OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP RELIABLE MULTI-MODAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND PRACTICE PROVEN THERAPEUTIC SUPPORTS. EACH FAMILY IS SUPPORTED ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL JOURNEY, FOSTERING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND MUTUAL ENCOURAGEMENT.
  3. $53,368 spent. RETHINKING AUTISM CONFERENCE AND TRAININGS, EDUCATES MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, THERAPISTS,EDUCATORS, PARENTS, AND CAREGIVERS WHO ARE TASKED WITH CARING FOR CHILDRENAND ADULTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS. THE TRAININGS PRESENT THE MOSTSCIENTIFIC AND RELEVANT INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES ANDQUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY AUTISM. THETRAINING MODELS HIGHLIGHT RESEARCH THAT HAS BEEN GATHERED IN OUR CLASSROOM,REPORTED BY AUTISTIC SELF-ADVOCATES, ALONG WITH OTHER RELATED RESEARCHHAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD. THE RESEARCH GATHERED AND PRESENTED IS USED TO HELP ESTABLISH BEST PRACTICES TO SUPPORT AND EDUCATE THOSE IMPACTED BY SENSORY AND NEUROMOTOR DIFFERENCES IN AUTISM.
  4. $4,224 spent. RESEARCH

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 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 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 April 2014.

    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.

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.