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Linwood Center Inc

EIN 52-0659515 · Ellicott City, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 291 cents.

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

What it says it does

LINWOOD CREATES THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTRAORDINARY LIVES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS LIVING WITH AUTISM AND RELATED DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES BY PROVIDING EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT, AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

Income
$18.1 million
Spending
$17.5 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
336
Highest pay
$161,387, executive di

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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 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 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 291 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 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 (5)
  1. $7.0 million spent. SCHOOL EDUCATION-LINWOOD SCHOOL IS APPROVED BY THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (MSDE) TO PROVIDE A SPECIAL EDUCATION AND RELATED SERVICES PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH AUTISM AND OTHER RELATED DISABILITIES IN AN EDUCATION PROGRAM (AGES 5 THROUGH 21) WITH ADDITIONAL RESIDENTIAL COMPONENTS. PROGRAMS ARE ALIGNED WITH THE BEST PRACTICES MODELS IDENTIFIED BY THE NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS, INCLUDING (A) THE MARYLAND COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STANDARDS IN OUR CLASSROOMS, (B) VERBAL BEHAVIOR MILESTONES ASSESSMENT AND PLACEMENT PROGRAM (VB-MAPP) TO HELP WITH COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND PREREQUISITE LEARNING, (C) THE USE OF TEACCH PROGRAM METHODOLOGY, PROMPT, AND AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS (AAC), AND (D) THE SCIENCE OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS TO DECREASE MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIORS AND INCREASE APPROPRIATE REPLACEMENT BEHAVIORS. SCHOOL EDUCATION-LINWOOD SCHOOL IS APPROVED BY THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (MSDE) TO PROVIDE A SPECIAL EDUCATION AND RELATED SERVICES PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH AUTISM AND OTHER RELATED DISABILITIES IN AN EDUCATION PROGRAM (AGES 5 THROUGH 21) WITH ADDITIONAL RESIDENTIAL COMPONENTS. PROGRAMS ARE ALIGNED WITH THE BEST PRACTICES MODELS IDENTIFIED BY THE NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS, INCLUDING (A) THE MARYLAND COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STANDARDS IN OUR CLASSROOMS, (B) VERBAL BEHAVIOR MILESTONES ASSESSMENT AND PLACEMENT PROGRAM (VB-MAPP) TO HELP WITH COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND PREREQUISITE LEARNING, (C) THE USE OF TEACCH PROGRAM METHODOLOGY, PROMPT, AND AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS (AAC), AND (D) THE SCIENCE OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS TO DECREASE MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIORS AND INCREASE APPROPRIATE REPLACEMENT BEHAVIORS.
  2. $6.8 million spent. ADULT COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL-OUR COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM OPERATES HOMES THROUGHOUT HOWARD AND BALTIMORE COUNTIES. MOST SUPPORT THREE INDIVIDUALS AND ALL HAVE STAFF ONSITE AT ALL TIMES, INCLUDING OVERNIGHT. STAFF MEMBERS ASSIST RESIDENTS AS THEY DEVELOP THE DAILY ROUTINES NECESSARY FOR THEM TO WORK, USE COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND MAKE CONNECTIONS OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES. EACH HOME HAS A VAN TO TAKE RESIDENTS TO THEIR DAY PROGRAM SITES AND TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND APPOINTMENTS. FAMILIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO REMAIN A PART OF THE RESIDENTS' LIVES; THEY VISIT THE HOMES AND BECOME PART OF THE TEAM THAT DEVELOPS AND REVIEWS THE INDIVIDUALS' TREATMENT PLANS. LINWOOD'S ADULT RESIDENTIAL SERVICES ARE LICENSED BY THE MARYLAND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION.
  3. $1.5 million spent. CHILDREN'S RESIDENTIAL-AS A COMPONENT OF LINWOOD'S COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS LIVING WITH AUTISM, LINWOOD PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT. STUDENTS ARE REFERRED TO THESE SERVICES BASED ON NEED THROUGH LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS, THE LOCAL DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION. STUDENTS IN LINWOOD'S RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS RESIDE IN NEARBY GROUP HOMES WITH AN AVERAGE OF FOUR CHILDREN IN EACH HOME. ALL RESIDENCES HAVE ROUND- THE-CLOCK STAFFING INCLUDING AWAKE-OVERNIGHT SUPERVISION. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF LINWOOD'S STATE CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS, A FULL COMPLEMENT OF STAFF PROVIDE SUPERVISION AND ENGAGE THE RESIDENTS IN A WIDE ARRAY OF HOME LIVING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AFTER SCHOOL AND ON WEEKENDS. THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES LICENSES AND MONITORS LINWOOD'S RESIDENTIAL SERVICES. CHILDREN'S RESIDENTIAL-AS A COMPONENT OF LINWOOD'S COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS LIVING WITH AUTISM, LINWOOD PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT. STUDENTS ARE REFERRED TO THESE SERVICES BASED ON NEED THROUGH LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS, THE LOCAL DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION. STUDENTS IN LINWOOD'S RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS RESIDE IN NEARBY GROUP HOMES WITH AN AVERAGE OF FOUR CHILDREN IN EACH HOME. ALL RESIDENCES HAVE ROUND- THE-CLOCK STAFFING INCLUDING AWAKE-OVERNIGHT SUPERVISION. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF LINWOOD'S STATE CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS, A FULL COMPLEMENT OF STAFF PROVIDE SUPERVISION AND ENGAGE THE RESIDENTS IN A WIDE ARRAY OF HOME LIVING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AFTER SCHOOL AND ON WEEKENDS. THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES LICENSES AND MONITORS LINWOOD'S RESIDENTIAL SERVICES.
  4. $1.2 million spent. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT DAY HABILITATION PROVIDES VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND EMPLOYMENT FOR OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFESPAN WITH THE SUPPORT OF STAFF. THE ADULTS IN OUR PROGRAMS WORK AT VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING OUR SCHOOL AND OUR RED BRANCH LOCATION.
  5. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT DAY HABILITATION PROVIDES VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND EMPLOYMENT FOR OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFESPAN WITH THE SUPPORT OF STAFF. THE ADULTS IN OUR PROGRAMS WORK AT VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING OUR SCHOOL AND OUR RED BRANCH LOCATION.

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

  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 June 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 April 1959.

    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.

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.