Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Horizons School Inc

EIN 63-1251343 · Birmingham, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak24 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE HORIZONS SCHOOL PROVIDES A COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM PROMOTING SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR YOUNG ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES, AUTISM SPECTRUM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS.

Income
$790,336
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
51%
Reserves
-17.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 68%
Employees
14
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$109,330, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 24 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    51% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2024, 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. $563,561 spent. GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION:THE HORIZONS SCHOOL CONTINUES TO IMPROVE ITS LEARNING PROGRAM BY INCORPORATING BEST PRACTICES AND EXAMINING STUDENT OUTCOMES. STUDENTS LEARN TO SAFELY ACCESS THE COMMUNITY FOR EMPLOYMENT, PERSONAL NEEDS, AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES USING PUBLIC TRANSIT. FUNCTIONAL LITERACY CLASSES ENHANCED STUDENTS' SKILLS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING AND WORK. UNIVERSITY FIELDWORK STUDENTS IMPLEMENTED PREVOCATIONAL FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENTS TO HELP MATCH HORIZONS STUDENTS TO COMMUNITY INTERNSHIPS AND EMPLOYMENT. STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION FROM PEDIATRIC TO ADULT HEALTH CARE, AND ALSO PARTICIPATED IN WEEKLY FITNESS CLASSES TAUGHT AT A NEARBY UNIVERSITY. HORIZONS EFFECTIVELY COLLABORATES WITH FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, STATE AGENCIES, AND OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR FAMILY EDUCATION, DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYERS, AND TO HOST PUBLIC JOB FAIRS. COMMUNITY LIVING SUPPORT:OUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM EXPANDED TO ENHANCE INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS PRACTICED IN COMMUNITY APARTMENTS MANAGED BY THE SCHOOL. SEVERAL DESERVING STUDENTS BENEFITED FROM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO DEFRAY COST OF RENT AND UTILITIES. RESIDENTIAL STAFF PRESENTED MONTHLY SEMINARS ON TOPICS, SUCH AS PERSONAL AND NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY, SUPPORTIVE PEER RELATIONSHIPS, ORGANIZING AND CLEANING STUDENT APARTMENTS, AND AVOIDING RISKY PRACTICES. STUDENTS IMPROVED SOCIAL COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATIVE MEAL PLANNING DURING EVENING DINING GROUPS. FIRE AND SAFETY DRILLS WERE CONDUCTED MONTHLY. CAREER DEVELOPMENT:CAREER STAFF PROVIDED GROUP INSTRUCTION, INDIVIDUAL GUIDANCE AND JOB-SITE ASSISTANCE TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR PAID EMPLOYMENT. HORIZONS EXPANDED ITS COLLABORATION WITH VOCATIONAL AGENCIES IN SOUTHEASTERN STATES, OFFERING NEW TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUNG ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. STUDENTS GAINED COMPUTING SKILLS, LEARNED SAFE FOOD HANDLING AND CASHIERING. MANY HAVE COMPLETED ONLINE TRAINING MODULES FOR EMPLOYMENT IN HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE AND RETAIL/CUSTOMER SERVICE. WE RECRUITED NEW BUSINESS PARTNERS, PROVIDING ADDITIONAL JOB SHADOWS, INTERNSHIPS AND PAID JOBS FOR HORIZONS STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2024, 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 August 2024.

    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 January 2003.

    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.