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The Arc of Ouachita

EIN 72-0568009 · Monroe, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceWeak37 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE OF ALL PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, PRIMARILY DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, WITHIN ITS SERVICE AREA WHICH GENERALLY INCLUDES THE NORTHEAST PORTION OF LOUISIANA. ARCO ENVISIONS A PLACE FOR EACH OF OUR CITIZENS WHERE THE COMMUNITY PROVIDES FOR ALL INCLUDING THOSE WITH DISABILITITES. SEEKING TO EMPOWER PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES TO HAVE QUALITY LIVES THROUGH INSTRUCTION, SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITY, ARCO PROCLAIMS THE TENANTS THAT ALL PERSONS ARE OF EQUAL VALUE, ALL PERSONS HAVE THE SAME BASIC NEEDS AND ALL PERSONS LEARN IN UNIQUELY DIFFERENT WAYS.

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
154

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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

Weak: 37 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $67,597 spent. THIS INCOME IS DERIVED PRIMARILY FROM THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THROUGH TWO MEDICAID WAIVERS, THE NOW AND THE SUPPORTS WAIVER. THESE FUNDS ARE USED TO TRAIN CLIENTS IN VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. ALSO, SOME INCOME IS DERIVED FROM THE LOUISIANA WORKFORCE COMMISSION, OFFICE OF LOUISIANA REHABILITATIVE SERVICES WHICH SPECIFICALLY PROVIDES VOCATIONAL TRAINING SUPPORT TO CLIENTS PLACED IN JOBS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. SUPPORTED WORK CONTRACTS - SUPPORTED WORK CONTRACT'S INCOME IS DERIVED FROM DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION SERVICES BY ONE CLIENT. THIS INCOME IS DERIVED PRIMARILY FROM THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THROUGH TWO MEDICAID WAIVERS, THE NOW AND THE SUPPORTS WAIVER. THESE FUNDS ARE USED TO TRAIN CLIENTS IN VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. ALSO, SOME INCOME IS DERIVED FROM THE LOUISIANA WORKFORCE COMMISSION, OFFICE OF LOUISIANA REHABILITATIVE SERVICES WHICH SPECIFICALLY PROVIDES VOCATIONAL TRAINING SUPPORT TO CLIENTS PLACED IN JOBS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. SUPPORTED WORK CONTRACTS - SUPPORTED WORK CONTRACT'S INCOME IS DERIVED FROM DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION SERVICES BY ONE CLIENT.
  2. EARLY INTERVENTION - EARLY INTERVENTION'S INCOME IS DERIVED FROM THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HOSPITALS, UNITED WAY, GRANTS, NON-PROFIT AGENCIES, AND CHARGES FOR THERAPEUTIC SERVICES (PRIVATE INSURANCE). THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES TRAINING AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES TO DISABLED INFANTS, AGES 0-3 YEARS. ADDITIONALLY, ARCO SERVES A FEW CHILDREN OVER THE AGE OF 3 YEARS THROUGH PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE OR PRIVATE PAY. EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM WAS CLOSED IN FY 2021.
  3. SUPPORTED LIVING'S PRIMARY INCOME IS DERIVED FROM THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MEDICAID NOW WAIVER. THIS HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM HELPS THE INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT BY PROVIDING SUPPORT AND TRAINING IN THEIR PERSONAL RESIDENCES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. STATE FUNDS FOR THOSE WITHOUT MEDICAID WAIVERS ARE PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE FOR CITIZENS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND SOME INDIVIDUALS ARE PRIVATE PAY.
  4. $3.1 million spent. DAY HABILITATION (COMMUNITY VENTURES BEGINNING IN FY 2023) - PROVIDES MEANINGFUL NON-WORKDAY ACTIVITIES TO MEN AND WOMEN AND IS FUNDED BY MEDICAID'S NOW AND SUPPORTS WAIVERS AS WELL. MALLARD HOME - MALLARD HOME'S INCOME IS DERIVED FROM THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED (ICF/DD) MEDICAID PROGRAM. CLIENTS PAY A PRO-RATA SHARE OF THE COSTS BASED ON THEIR INCOME. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES CLIENTS WITH A HOME ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND HELPS THEM BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT CITIZENS.
  5. DAY HABILITATION (COMMUNITY VENTURES BEGINNING IN FY 2023) - PROVIDES MEANINGFUL NON-WORKDAY ACTIVITIES TO MEN AND WOMEN AND IS FUNDED BY MEDICAID'S NOW AND SUPPORTS WAIVERS AS WELL. MALLARD HOME - MALLARD HOME'S INCOME IS DERIVED FROM THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED (ICF/DD) MEDICAID PROGRAM. CLIENTS PAY A PRO-RATA SHARE OF THE COSTS BASED ON THEIR INCOME. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES CLIENTS WITH A HOME ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND HELPS THEM BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT CITIZENS.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 June 1966.

    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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