Connections Education Center of the Palm Beaches Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Connections Education Center of the Palm Beaches believes to empower students with autism and related disabilities to learn academic, social, vocational and independent-living skills using evidence-based strategies and a family-centered approach.
- Income
- $5.4 million
- Spending
- $5.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- -3.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 75%
- Employees
- 101
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $115,944, principal
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
Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 77% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $4.5 million spent. The School programs provide exemplary educational services to students, regardless of where the student falls on the autism spectrum. With certified teachers, a low student-to-teacher ratio, and small state-of-the-art classroom settings, the Schools programs are tailored to meet the specific individual needs of each of their students. Connections playes a unique role among organizations that serve the ASD community by incorporating the whole family in the educational process. We provide a life-long, family-centered partnership both in and out of school. In addition to focusing on academic skills, community-based partnerships and activities promoting inclusion are part of our students day. Our innovative Health, Wellness and Aquatics Program addresses students unique fitness, nutrition and water safety needs. Weekly swim instruction is provided to each of our students helping to lower the incidences of drowning to children with autism. Our school nurse program, initially funded by the Quantum Foundation, continues to be an integral part of this program. continued on Schedule O Other community-based sites include partnerships with Drive Shack, First Tee, Extraordinary Charities Recipes for Success Culinary Program, the Kravis Center, Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, Island Dolphin Care, and other community businesses. With over 85 of our families living below the poverty level, Connections provides support for families with food insecurities. We partner with the PB Food Bank to provide an on-site food pantry and also participate in their Weekend Backpack program that sends food home to our families for the weekend. We also have a Family Resource and Assistance Program that provides support to families trying to navigate community, state and federal assistance.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.