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Independence Now Inc

EIN 52-1891697 · Silver Spring, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

See Schedule O for DetailsIndependence Now is a Center for Independent Living serving people with disabilities throughout Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, Maryland. Our mission is to empower people with disabilities to live independently, exercise self-determination, and fully participate in community life. Staffed and governed by a majority of people with disabilities, we advance disability rights and inclusion through advocacy, independent living skills training, peer support, information and referral services, transition assistance, assistive technology, youth leadership development, and community-based supports.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 69%
Employees
24
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$43,306, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 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)
  1. $1.3 million spent. See Schedule O for DetailsDuring fiscal year 2025, Independence Now provided services and supports to 183 consumers with disabilities in Montgomery County and 210 in Prince George's County. A total of 20 cases were closed in Montgomery County, and 18 cases were closed in Prince George's County. The top three services across our service area were Information and Referral (5,802 inquiries handled), Peer counseling (236 consumers), and Independent Living skills training (173 consumers).Independent Living and Community Integration Services:Independence Now delivered information and referral services, independent living skills training, personalized assistance designed to help people with disabilities achieve greater independence and community participation. Services supported individuals in obtaining housing, employment, transportation, healthcare, assistive technology, and community resources.Transition and Supports Planning Services:The organization assisted individuals transitioning from nursing facilities and other institutional settings into community-based living arrangements. Staff provided person-centered planning, resource coordination, housing guidance, and advocacy to help individuals successfully move to and remain in the community. The Supports Planning Agency served 189 consumers. Assistive Technology and Accessibility:Through partnerships and direct service programs, Independence Now helped individuals obtain assistive technology and accessibility-related supports that increased independence at home, work, school, and in the community. Services included technology assessments, device acquisition assistance, training, and accessibility modifications.Youth Leadership and Pre-Employment Transition Services:The organization provided leadership development, independent living skills training, self-advocacy education, and transition-to-adulthood programming for youth and young adults with disabilities. These services helped participants prepare for post-secondary education, employment, community engagement, and independent living.Employment and Benefits Counseling:Independence Now provided benefits counseling and work incentive planning to 785 consumers receiving Social Security disability benefits. Services helped participants understand the impact of employment on benefits, increase financial self-sufficiency, and make informed decisions regarding education and career opportunities.Advocacy and Systems Change:As a disability-led organization, Independence Now engaged in individual and systems advocacy to improve access, equity, and inclusion for people with disabilities. The organization worked collaboratively with youth and adult consumers, government agencies, community organizations, and policymakers to promote civil rights, accessibility, and opportunities for independent living.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 December 1994.

    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.