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Athelas Institute Inc

EIN 52-1225887 · Columbia, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 94 cents.

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

What it says it does

PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT TO INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COMPLIMENTED BY QUALITY SERVICES AND MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

Income
$20.5 million
Spending
$20.2 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
7.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
433
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$187,272, executive director

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 94 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (6)
  1. $8.9 million spent. RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM - INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RECEIVE A VARIETY OF RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT, INCLUDING QUALITY HEALTH CARE AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION. THE RANGE OF SERVICES INCLUDE GROUP HOMES, 3 - 5 PERSONS ALTERNATIVE LIVING UNITS, INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT SERVICES, AND OTHER INDEPENDENT LIVING ARRANGEMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 65 INDIVIDUALS.
  2. $5.9 million spent. DAY PROGRAM - INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABLILITIES ATTEND DAY PROGRAMS IN PERSON AND ONLINE THAT TEACH DAILY LIVING SKILLS, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, COMMUNICATION AND SOCIALIZATION SKILLS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTINUED EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION AND INTEGRATION. THE PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES THE TRANSPORATION OF THE INDIVIDUALS TO THE DAY SITE FACILITIES. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 200 INDIVIDUALS.
  3. $636,068 spent. PERSONAL SUPPORTS AND PRIVATE PAY PROGRAM - PROVIDES SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WHO LIVE IN THEIR OWN HOME. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 20 INDIVIDUALS IN THE PERSONAL SUPPORTS PROGRAM, AND 10 IN THE PRIVATE PAY PROGRAM.
  4. $582,152 spent. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM - INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABLILITIES ATTEND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT TEACH SKILLS NECESSARY TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE THROUGH JOB DEVELOPMENT, JOB PLACEMENT, JOB COACHING, ON THE JOB SUPPORT, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY INCLUSION AND INTEGRATION. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 50 INDIVIDUALS.
  5. $272,941 spent. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - PROVIDES SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN A COMMUNITY / GROUP SETTING. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 35 INDIVIDUALS.
  6. $1.6 million spent. BEHAVORIAL SUPPORT SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS INCOME RELATED TO EXEMPT PURPOSE.

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 November 6, 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 September 1982.

    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 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.