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Creative Living Solutions Inc

EIN 46-5627443 · Albany, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES TO "REALIZE WHAT'S POSSIBLE" IN THEIR EVERY-DAY LIVES.

Income
$4.2 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
136
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$254,375, executive director

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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 88 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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 (2)
  1. $2.8 million spent. FISCAL INTERMEDIARY SERVICES THE ORGANIZATION IS A FISCAL INTERMEDIARY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE CHOSEN SELF DIRECTED SERVICES. IT PROVIDES THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND BILLING SUPPORT TO A PERSON WHO CHOOSES SELF-DIRECTION. THIS INCLUDES: COMPLETING BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR SELF-HIRED STAFF, BILLING MEDICAID OR NEW YORK STATE FOR SERVICES IN THE BUDGET, PAYING STAFF, TRACKING EXPENDITURES, AND PROVIDING MONTHLY STATEMENTS TO THE INDIVIDUAL.
  2. $615,154 spent. COMMUNITY HABILITATION OUR PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED SPECIALISTS WORK ONE TO ONE OR IN GROUP SETTINGS TO ASSIST THE INDIVIDUAL(S) ON AN ARRAY OF OUTCOMES TO DEVELOP SKILLS SUCH AS: TRAVEL TRAINING, MONEY MANAGEMENT, ASSISTANCE WITH ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING, COMMUNITY INCLUSION AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS, LEISURE SKILLS, SELF-ADVOCACY AND INFORMED CHOICE SKILLS ACQUIRING, RETAINING AND IMPROVING ADAPTIVE SKILLS AND SELF-HELP SKILLS NEEDED TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AT HOME AND IN COMMUNITY-BASED SETTINGS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2016.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Creative Testing Solutions (Tempe, AZ), EIN 27-1120123. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.