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Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates Inc

EIN 65-0877085 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COPAA'S MISSION IS TO PROTECT AND ENFORCE THE LEGAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PRIMARY GOAL IS TO SECURE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 64%
Employees
4
Volunteers
694
Highest pay
$194,008, ceo

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

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 48% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 56% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    9 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 December 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 (5)
  1. $290,886 spent. STAFF TIME SPENT ON VARIOUS COMMITTEES SUCH AS GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, AMICUS, TRAINING, ETC. AS WELL AS CERTAIN LOBBYING ACTIVITIES. COPPA PARTICIPATES BOTH AS COUNSEL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PLAINTIFFS IN STATE AND NATIONAL IMPACT LITIGATION TO PROTECT STUDENT AND PARENT RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW.
  2. $368,837 spent. A SERIES OF 90-MINUTE INFORMATIONAL WEBINARS FROM THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE ARE AVAILABLE IN THE LEARNING CENTER. LEARNING PATHS ON TOPICS RELATED TO THE MISSION ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO THE MEMBERSHIP AND COLLEAGUES. IN ADDITION, SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY TRAINING (SEAT) WAS OFFERED AS A COMBINATION OF SELF-PACED WEB LEARNING, READINGS, GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS AS WELL AS LIVE VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS. PROVIDE SPECIFIC TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TOPIC BRIEFS ON SUBJECT OF IMPORTANCE TO COPAA MEMBERS. COPPA PROVIDES A 12 WEEK ONLINE TRAINING ON SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW AND RELATED SERVICES FOR ATTORNEYS EACH YEAR.
  3. $442,235 spent. EACH YEAR IN MARCH, MEMBERS AND PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS GATHER FOR THE COPAA ANNUAL CONFERENCE. THE CONFERENCE CHANGES LOCATION EACH YEAR, ALTERNATING IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY. THE COPAA CONFERENCE PROVIDES UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAINING AND NETWORKING WITH THE MOST EXPERIENCED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCATES AND ATTORNEYS ON PARTICULAR EDUCATIONAL ISSUES. EXHIBITS, BREAKOUTS, NETWORKING, AND PRE-CONFERENCE SESSIONS ARE ALL INCLUDED. PARTICIPANTS ATTEND THE CONFERENCE TO LEARN ABOUT THE MOST RECENT CASES, LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, AND THE LATEST DISABILITY SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTIONS. APPROXIMATELY 600 REGISTRANTS ATTEND THE CONFERENCE EACH YEAR.
  4. $416,939 spent. OUTREACH, INFORMATION AND ENGAGEMENT
  5. OUTREACH, INFORMATION AND ENGAGEMENT: ON-LINE MEMBER COMMUNITY THAT FACILITATES PEER-TO-PEER NETWORKING, INFORMATION SHARING, RESOURCES AND OUTREACH.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1999.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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