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National Center on Institutions and Alternatives Inc

EIN 52-1094078 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NCIA IS DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING PEOPLE WHO FACE SIGNIFICANT LIFE CHALLENGES. WITH A COMMITMENT TO UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY, NCIA SERVES A DIVERSE POPULATION, INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL, DEVELOPMENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES, PEOPLE RE-ENTERING SOCIETY AFTER INCARCERATION, AT-RISK YOUTH, AND ADULTS WITH COMPLEX NEEDS.

Income
$46.6 million
Spending
$40.1 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
634
Volunteers
34
Highest pay
$434,602, chief executive officer

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: 60 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 57% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 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 (4)
  1. $18.8 million spent. NCIA'S COMMUNITY LIVING HOMES PROVIDES HOUSING FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, HELPING THEM LEAD FULL AND ACTIVE LIVES IN THEIR COMMUNITY. NCIA HAS RESIDENTIAL HOMES THROUGHOUT BALTIMORE COUNTY, BALTIMORE CITY, AND PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, WHERE RESIDENTS CAN CHOOSE TO LIVE ALONE OR WITH ROOMMATES. STAFF ASSIST RESIDENTS IN MAKING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS, DEVELOPING INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, AND PROMOTING A SOCIALLY ACTIVE LIFESTYLE. SUPPORT IS TAILORED TO EACH PERSON'S INDIVIDUALIZED NEEDS, INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT, CLINICAL, AND NURSING SUPPORT, EMPOWERING THEM TO LIVE MORE INDEPENDENTLY AND ACHIEVE GREATER SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
  2. $3.3 million spent. NCIA'S DAY PROGRAM PROVIDES COMMUNITY- AND FACILITY-BASED PROGRAMMING FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES, BOTH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL. PARTICIPANTS CAN CHOOSE FROM AN ARRAY OF PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING JOB DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT TRAINING, CAREER DISCOVERY, VOLUNTEERISM, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
  3. $4.2 million spent. NCIA'S YOUTH IN TRANSITION SCHOOL (YIT) IS A NONPUBLIC, FULL-DAY SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AGES 11-21 WITH SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS SUCH AS AUTISM, EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES, AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. APPROVED BY THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS A TYPE I SCHOOL, YIT OFFERS ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION, VOCATIONAL EXPERIENCES, CLINICAL SERVICES, AND BEHAVIOR SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION. THE YIT PROVIDES INDIVIDUALIZED CARE TO ADDRESS STUDENTS' PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, INTELLECTUAL, AND SOCIAL NEEDS, HELPING THEM OVERCOME BEHAVIOR, CLINICAL, AND LEARNING DIFFICULTIES AND OFTEN ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS FOR THE FIRST TIME.
  4. $6.9 million spent. NCIA'S BUSINESS SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOCUSES ON OBTAINING COMMERCIAL, STATE AND FEDERAL CONTRACTS TO EMPLOY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. INDIVIDUALS ARE PROVIDED WITH THE NECESSARY SUPPORTS TO ASSIST THEM IN IDENTIFYING CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT INTERESTS AND FINDING AND KEEPING A JOB. BUSINESS SERVICES HAS AN INTEGRATED WORKFORCE THAT INCLUDES ALMOST 62 PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

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 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 June 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 1977.

    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.