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The Centers for Exceptional Children Inc

EIN 56-0615188 · Winston Salem, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CENTERS FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN ARE DEDICATED TO EDUCATING AND CARING FOR CHILDERN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS, ORTHOPEDIC DISABILITIES AND/OR OTHER LONG-TERM CHRONIC HEALTH IMPAIRMENTS TO PREPARE THEM TO LEAD INDEPENDENT, PRODUCTIVE AND FULFILLING LIVES.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
40
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$125,412, 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: 58 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $1.0 million spent. THE INFANT & TODDLER PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATION, CARE AND DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES OR DELAYS, AGES BIRTH TO 36 MONTHS. THE PROGRAM ALSO SERVES A LIMITED NUMBER OF TYPICALLY DEVELOPING STUDENTS (THREE PER CLASS). THE ORGANIZATION SERVES APPROXIMATELY 40 STUDENTS. IN ADDITION TO EDUCATION AND CARE, STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS RECEIVE PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL AND SPEECH THERAPY, ALONG WITH SPECIAL INSTRUCTION BY LICENSED THERAPISTS AND CREDENTIALED TEACHING STAFF. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HAS AN ON-SITE NURSE AND CARRIES A FIVE-STAR CHILDCARE RATING.
  2. $387,641 spent. THE FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK OF GREATER FORSYTH IS DEDICATED TO STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND ENHANCING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS BY PROVIDING SUPORT, GUIDANCE AND CARING CONNECTIONS FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER. THIS PROGRAM IS NOT ONLY FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IN OUR TWO SCHOOLS, BUT IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO ALL FAMILIES IN GREATER FORSYTH COUNTY AND FOUR NEARBY COUNTIES WITH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, AGE BIRTH TO 21 YEARS.
  3. $243,621 spent. AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS PROVIDE A FULL-DAY AND YEAR-ROUND CONTINUUM OF CARE AND INSTRUCTION FOR THE STUDENTS IN BOTH OF OUR SCHOOLS, THE CHILDREN'S CENTER AND THE SPECIAL CHILDREN'S SCHOOL. THE SUMMER PROGRAM IS FULL-DAY AND BASED AROUND A THEME FOR THE SUMMER. STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CAN ALSO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THEIR NEEDED THERAPY AND NURSING CARE.
  4. $77,422 spent. ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO STUDENTS WITH PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT BOTH SCHOOLS, ALONG WITH THEIR TYPICALLY DEVELOPING PEERS. STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS RECEIVE CUSTOMIZED, INDIVIDUAL CARE IN THE FORM OF PHYSICAL OCCUPATIONAL AND SPEECH THERAPY. ALL STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM AN ADAPTIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM, ART INSTRUCTION, GARDENING AND NATURE-BASED ACTIVITIES FROM OUR THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE PROGEAM, MUSIC AND MOVEMENT CLASSES AND OTHER UNIQUE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES.
  5. ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO STUDENTS WITH PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT BOTH SCHOOLS, ALONG WITH THEIR TYPICALLY DEVELOPING PEERS. STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS RECEIVE CUSTOMIZED, INDIVIDUAL CARE IN THE FORM OF PHYSICAL OCCUPATIONAL AND SPEECH THERAPY. ALL STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM AN ADAPTIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM, ART INSTRUCTION, GARDENING AND NATURE-BASED ACTIVITIES FROM OUR THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE PROGEAM, MUSIC AND MOVEMENT CLASSES AND OTHER UNIQUE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES.

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 August 1957.

    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.