Virginia Down Syndrome Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
VIRGINIA DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION IS A 501(C)3 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT BENEFITS THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME (DS) AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY SUPPORT, EDUCATION, COMMUNITY AWARENESS, AND ADVOCACY. WE ADVOCATE FOR AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING BY EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT DS AND OFFERING EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO HELP OUR MEMBERS NAVIGATE THE LIFESPAN FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEARS, TRANSITION, AND INTO ADULTHOOD. WE PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES TO ACCESS RESOURCES, MEDICAL CARE, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND THEIR ENTIRE FAMILY. WE BELIEVE INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME ARE VALUABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND IN WHOM ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. WITH FULL OPPORTUNITIES AND COMMUNITY, INDIVIDUALS WITH DS WILL ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS. WE BOAST A MEMBERSHIP OF OVER 900 OF FAMILIES, A COMMUNITY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY THAT CELEBRATES AND EMBRACES RAISING CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME. WE LISTEN, WE LEARN
- Income
- $731,677
- Spending
- $765,359
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 3.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 54%
- Employees
- 13
- Volunteers
- 0
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: 74 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 22% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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: 97 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $607,735 spent. IN ADDITION TO VOLUNTEER SERVICES, THE ORGANIZATION IS THE GRATEFUL RECIPIENT OF FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS BY 100% OF ITS BOARD AND STAFF. VDSA REACHED A NEW MILESTONE IN PROGRAMS AND INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT PROVIDED TO FAMILIES IN OUR NETWORK. WE WELCOMED OVER 90 NEW FAMILIES AND PROVIDED FAMILY CARE SUPPORT FOR OVER 300 EXISTING FAMILIES. DURING THE YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO HOST IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL SOCIAL AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS. WE PROUDLY SERVE OVER 850 FAMILIES ACROSS GREATER RICHMOND, CHARLOTTESVILLE, WILLIAMSBURG, CENTRAL SHENANDOAH VALLEY AND FREDERICKSBURG. FAMILY SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH:WE CONTINUE TO ENGAGE WITH FAMILIES AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE BY OFFERING CONNECTION OPPORTUNITIES WITH OTHER FAMILIES AS WELL AS OFFERING RESOURCES NEEDED TO ACCESS SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR TEAM CONTINUED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND COLLABORATE WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND RESOURCES TO HELP ADDRESS THE GROWING NEEDS OF OUR FAMILIES. OUR FIRST CALL PROGRAM WELCOMES EACH NEW FAMILY WITH A PRE-NATAL OR BIRTH DIAGNOSIS TO THE ORGANIZATION. FAMILIES ARE PROVIDED WITH A WELCOME BAG AND RESOURCES. DURING THE YEAR, WE WELCOME 223 FIRST CALL FAMILIES, ALONG WITH AN ADDITIONAL 72 NEW FAMILIES REACHING OUT TO VDSA, FOR A TOTAL OF 95 NEW FAMILIES.PROVIDED FAMILY CARE SUPPORT SERVICES TO 310 FAMILIES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME.PROVIDED 116 EDUCATORS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS WITH EDUCATION ABOUT BEST PRACTICES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DS.FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS ON OUR MULTIPLE PAGES - OVER 983 ON SEVEN PARENT PAGES, 1 GRANDPARENT PAGE, 4900 ON THE MAIN FACEBOOK VDSA PAGE. INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS: 1128 SOCIAL PROGRAMS:VDSA PROVIDES SOCIAL PROGRAMMING AND MEMBER ENGAGEMENT FOR ALL FAMILIES, AS WELL AS TARGETED OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME BY A VARIETY OF AGE GROUPS. OUR SOCIAL GROUPS FOSTER FRIENDSHIPS, PEER SOCIALIZATION, NETWORKING AND RESOURCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOTH INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND PARENTS. MEMBERS ARE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY AGE GROUP OR PROGRAM THAT MEETS THEIR NEEDS.DURING THE YEAR, VDSA HOSTED A VARIETY OF VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON SOCIAL GROUP EVENTS FOR ALL AGES WHERE MEMBERS WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES AND SOCIALIZE. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED WORLD DOWN SYNDROME CELEBRATION, DINNER OUTINGS, SPLASH PAD MEET AND GREETS, GYMNASTICS, MINIATURE GOLF, YOGA, ROCK CLIMBING, NEW PARENT BRUNCH, HIKING, FISHING, OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CLUB, SOCIAL SKILL BUILDING, JR. RANGER, AND ARTS IN THE PARK. FAMILY EVENTS INCLUDED A FAMILY PICNIC AND POOL PARTY, BASEBALL GAME OUTING, TRUNK OR TREAT, ORNAMENT DECORATING AND HOLIDAY PARTY.VDSA HAS OTHER TARGETED CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS TO HELP PROVIDE MEMBERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER. THESE GROUPS INCLUDE:- COMPREHENSIVE CAREGIVER GROUP IS A SUPPORT GROUP DESIGNED TO BRING TOGETHER FAMILIES WHO HAVE A LOVED ONE WITH DOWN SYNDROME BUT MAY ALSO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSIS OR CONDITION THAT BRINGS DIFFERENT NEEDS. THIS GROUP PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS TO COME TOGETHER AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER, NO MATTER WHAT THAT EXTRA SOMETHING MAY BE.- MOMS AND DADS GROUPS ARE DESIGNED TO GIVE EACH PARENT AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN UNIQUE NETWORK OF SUPPORT. THESE GROUPS HELP PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP, RESOURCE SHARING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. - GRANDPARENT TO GRANDPARENT IS DESIGNED TO GIVE EACH GRANDPARENT THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN UNIQUE NETWORK OF SUPPORT. THIS GROUP PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP, RESOURCE SHARING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.- LATINOS DE VDSA IS A FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR SPANISH SPEAKING FAMILIES TO COME TOGETHER FOR FELLOWSHIP, RESOURCE SHARING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. WE HOST SEVERAL FAMILY EVENTS EACH YEAR FOCUSED ON OUR SPANISH-SPEAKING FAMILIES. - 21 SHADES OF VIRGINIA IS A FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP CREATED AFTER AN EXPRESSED NEED IN SUPPORT OF FAMILIES EXPECTING OR RAISING A BLACK/INTERRACIAL CHILD WITH DOWN SYNDROME. THIS GROUP IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY TO NETWORK, COLLABORATE, CREATE AND SHARE INFORMATION WHILE BUILDING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS:DESIGNED TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME THROUGHOUT THE LIFESPAN, OUR DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES HAVE HELPED PARENTS LEARN HOW TO RECEIVE THE BEST SERVICES, PROVIDE THE BEST SCHOOL AND EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT, GATHER AND SHARE RESOURCES ABOUT HOW TO BEST INCLUDE THEIR CHILD IN THE COMMUNITY. DURING THE YEAR, VDSA CONTINUED TO HOST MANY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR OUR MEMBERS, WHICH INCLUDE: CONTINUED GROWTH OF OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES PROVIDED BY OUR OUTREACH & INCLUSION SPECIALIST ROLE. THIS ROLE PROVIDES SUPPORT TO DAYCARES, PRESCHOOLS, EARLY CHILDHOOD, PROFESSIONALS, AND PARENTS OF CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO 6 YEARS OLD. DISABILITY EDUCATION AND TRANSITION CONFERENCE - IN 2025, WE HELD OUR IN-PERSON CONFERENCE IN MARCH. THE 2025 EVENT HOSTED OVER 130 EDUCATORS AND PARENTS THROUGH 20 BREAKOUT SESSIONS. THE CONFERENCE ALSO PROVIDED ATTENDEES WITH 26 EXHIBITOR RESOURCES.INFANT TODDLER DEVELOPMENT SERIES - PROVIDED FAMILIES OF CHILDREN 0-18 MONTHS WITH DOWN SYNDROME A 6-WEEK CLASS SERIES OF INFORMATION & RESOURCES AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT. I'M DETERMINED - IN 2025, VDSA OFFERED TWO "I'M DETERMINED" SESSIONS FOR SELF-ADVOCATES, WHICH IS A STATE-CREATED PROGRAM TO EMPOWER SELF-ADVOCATES TO UTILIZE THEIR VOICES TO STATE THEIR WANTS AND NEEDS IN SCHOOL, WORK, AND WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES. VDSA HELD A VIRTUAL REIMAGINING FAMILY LIFE WITH DISABILITY WORKSHOP FOR CAREGIVERS, WHICH IS A FOUR-WEEK SESSION MEANT TO REFRAME THE DISABILITY LENS AND ENCOURAGE CAREGIVERS TO FORM THEIR COMMUNITY OF CARE AND SUPPORT. HOSTED ONLINE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING MONTHLY PARENT DISCUSSIONS IN OUR SCHOOL INCLUSION SUPPORT GROUP, AN INFORMATION SESSION ON THE VA-LEND PROGRAM OFFERED THROUGH VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY, A PUBERTY QUESTIONS AND CONCER
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1990.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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