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Waves Inc

EIN 62-0920595 · Franklin, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

Income
$4.2 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 46%
Employees
92
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$88,063, coo

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: 68 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 (2)
  1. $1.6 million spent. THE EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPY TO FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS WHO HAVE A CHILD FROM BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS OF AGE WHO HAVE A DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY OR A DIAGNOSED CONDITION THAT HAS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF RESULTING IN DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY. EARLY INTERVENTIONISTS DELIVER SERVICES WHERE THE CHILD LIVES, LEARNS, AND PLAYS TO INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF CONSISTENT PRACTICE WITH SKILLS. IN THIS SETTING, THE SKILLS LEARNED ARE FUNCTIONALLY RELEVANT TO THE CHILD AND FAMILY IN THEIR EVERYDAY ROUTINE. IN ADDITION TO DIRECT SUPPORT OF CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS, THE INTERVENTIONIST PROVIDES CONSULTATION AND TRAINING FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, 526 FAMILIES RECEIVED SERVICES.
  2. $1.5 million spent. ADULT SERVICES: OUR DAY SERVICES PROVIDE ACTIVITIES AND STRUCTURED TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE ACQUISITION, RETENTION, OR IMPROVEMENT IN COMMUNICATION, DAILY LIVING SKILLS, AND SOCIAL SKILLS FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. SERVICES IN THIS PROGRAM ARE FACILITY AND/OR COMMUNITY-BASED. INTENDED OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED COMPETENCY IN DAILY LIVING SKILLS AND CONNECTING INDIVIDUALS WITH THEIR COMMUNITY. ADULT DAY SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY PROVIDED IN THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY COMMUNITY. WE OPERATE TWO ADULT DAY CENTERS IN FRANKLIN AND FAIRVIEW, WHERE THESE SERVICES CAN BE PROVIDED IN ADDITION TO COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES. 36 ADULTS ARE CURRENTLY BEING SUPPORTED IN THIS PROGRAM. INDIVIDUALS IN THIS PROGRAM ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO SEEK EMPLOYMENT WITH STAFF SUPPORT PROVIDED FOR ALL STAGES OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT JOURNEY. VOLUNTEERING IN THE COMMUNITY IS ALSO ENCOURAGED TO LEARN SKILLS AND BUILD SELF-ESTEEM. EXAMPLES OF VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PACKAGING AND DELIVERING LUNCHES FOR MEALS ON WHEELS, CLEANING TRAILS AT EDWIN WARNER PARK, ASSISTING WITH FOOD AND CLOTHES SORTING AT THRIFT STORES, AND ASSISTING WITH MAILINGS OR FILINGS FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. WAVES ALSO OPERATES FOUR HOMES WITHIN WILLIAMSON COUNTY WITH 24/7 STAFF SUPPORT. THESE HOMES PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT FOR 13 INDIVIDUALS. WE ALSO OFFER A SEMI-INDEPENDENT LIVING OPTION. THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE HIGHER LEVELS OF INDEPENDENCE AND NEED LESS ASSISTANCE WITH DAILY TASKS. WE CURRENTLY SUPPORT ONE INDIVIDUAL IN THIS PROGRAM.

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 February 1975.

    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.