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Shepherd Center Inc

EIN 51-0141601 · Atlanta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SHEPHERD CENTER'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE ACUTE AND REHABILITATIVE HOSPITAL CARE TO PATIENTS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES, ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURIES, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, AND OTHER NEUROMUSCULAR AND NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. WE STRIVE TO BE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE CATASTROPHIC CARE SPECIALTY HOSPITAL IN THE WORLD, COMMITTED TO IMPROVING OUR PATIENTS' LIVES.

Income
$366.4 million
Spending
$322.9 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
11.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 77%
Employees
2,193
Volunteers
1,000
Highest pay
$1.6 million, former ceo

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

Financial health

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 34 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 March 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 (3)
  1. $221.8 million spent. IN REFERENCE TO THE PROVISION OF PATIENT CARE SERVICES, SHEPHERD CENTER IS DEDICATED TO HELPING PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC INJURY OR DISEASE REBUILD THEIR LIVES WITH HOPE, DIGNITY, AND INDEPENDENCE, ADVOCATING FOR THEIR FULL INCLUSION IN ALL ASPECTS OF COMMUNITY LIFE. IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, SHEPHERD CENTER INCURRED EXPENSES TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR 944 INPATIENT ADMISSIONS, 48,808 INPATIENT DAYS, 58,117 DAY PATIENT VISITS, AND 81,339 OUTPATIENT VISITS.
  2. $23.8 million spent. BECAUSE OF THE GENEROUS FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY, SHEPHERD CENTER IS ABLE TO PROVIDE MANY COMMUNITY FUNDED SERVICES THAT ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN OTHER HOSPITALS. SHEPHERD CENTER OFFERS SERVICES SUCH AS FAMILY HOUSING AND TRAINING, EXPANDED THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SERVICES, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AS WELL AS MEDICAL CARE FOR PATIENTS WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO PAY FOR THESE SERVICES.
  3. $7.3 million spent. WITH REGARD TO RESEARCH ACTIVITY, SHEPHERD CENTER IS A SITE FOR LEADING-EDGE RESEARCH AND PROVIDES IMPORTANT OUTCOMES TRACKING THAT HELP SHAPE THE FACE OF REHABILITATION IN THE UNITED STATES. OUR VISION IS TO BE A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN PATIENT CARE, PARTICIPATING IN RESEARCH THAT WILL ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST OUTCOMES AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 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 March 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 August 1975.

    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.