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Options Inc

EIN 72-1161001 · Hammond, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OPTIONS HAS BEEN IMPROVING THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH MAXIMIZING LIFE SKILLS, MEANINGFUL WORK AND ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY INCLUSION, AND PROVIDING SUPPORT BEYOND THE FAMILY.

Income
$8.3 million
Spending
$8.8 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
278
Volunteers
111
Highest pay
$125,771, residential program coordinator

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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    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. $2.4 million spent. RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - OPTIONS OPERATES 4 COMMUNITY HOMES. EACH HOME PROVIDES A NURTURING AND SUPPORTIVE ATMOSPHERE FOR SIX INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO CALL HOME. TWO OF THE HOMES ARE FOR WOMEN AND TWO ARE FOR MEN. THE HOMES PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE WITH COMPLEX NEEDS TO LIVE WITH PEERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE LOCATIONS WERE CHOSEN IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE ACCESS TO THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE A UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOOD EXPERIENCE FOR RESIDENTS. EACH HOME IS STAFFED AROUND THE CLOCK TO ENSURE THE CARE AND SAFETY NEEDS OF RESIDENTS ARE MET. ALL 4 COMMUNITY HOMES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY OPERATING FOR OVER 25 YEARS.
  2. $2.6 million spent. OPTIONS PROVIDES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WITH MEANINGFUL WORK OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH JOB PLACEMENT AND SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE COMPETITIVE JOBS IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OPTIONS JOB PLACEMENT, JOB COACHING, AND ONGOING SUPPORTS. THEY WORK AT BUSINESSES SUCH AS BANKS, OFFICES, GROCERY STORES, RESTAURANTS, RETAIL STORES, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE JOBS THROUGH OPTIONS SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. THESE INDIVIDUALS WORK ON OPTIONS CLEANING CREWS, LAWN MAINTENANCE CREW, LEARNING GARDENS, WEAVING STUDIO, AND AT FABULOUS FINDS. IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITY, JOBS CAN BE SCARCE, ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. OVER 80% OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THE U.S. ARE NOT EMPLOYED AND THIS PROGRAM IS JUST ONE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. OPTIONS SEEKS OPPORTUNITIES AND CONTRACTS WITH AREA BUSINESSES OR STARTS NEW BUSINESSES TO DIRECTLY EMPLOY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
  3. $3.1 million spent. OPTIONS SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AS INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE. THE PHILOSOPHY OF OPTIONS IS TO SUPPORT, ASSIST, AND MEET THE NEEDS OF EACH PERSON BASED ON HIS OR HER UNIQUE NEEDS AND GOALS. OPTIONS OFFERS SERVICES THAT ARE TAILORED TO EACH PERSON'S INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, WANTS, AND SKILLS. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE ASSISTANCE WITH FINDING HOUSING AND NEGOTIATING LEASE TERMS, NAVIGATING HOME OWNERSHIP, FINANCIAL CASE MANAGEMENT, HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHING AND SUPPORT, MEDICAL CASE MANAGEMENT, IN-HOME PERSONAL CARE, TRANSPORTATION, AND ANY OTHER SERVICES NEEDED IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE FOR THAT PERSON. OPTIONS HAS BEEN MEETING THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH ITS SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM SINCE 1985.
  4. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES - OPTIONS PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, WHO LIVE WITH THEIR FAMILIES, WITH SUPPORTS THAT ENHANCE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND ASSIST THEIR CAREGIVERS. FAMILY SUPPORT INCLUDES ASSISTANCE WITH ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING, MEAL PREPARATION, HYGIENE, LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. THESE SERVICES SUPPORT THE FAMILY CARE GIVERS THUS ENABLING THEM TO MAINTAIN THEIR OWN JOBS, CARE FOR THEIR OTHER CHILDREN, AND TAKE NEEDED BREAKS. PARTICIPANTS ENJOY THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF THE FAMILY. OPTIONS HAS BEEN PROVIDING FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES SINCE 1991.
  5. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES - THE PURPOSE OF OPTIONS TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. IT IS A CRITICAL SERVICE SINCE MOST PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES DO NOT DRIVE. OPTIONS TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM PROVIDES ACCESS TO DOCTORS' APPOINTMENTS, GROCERY SHOPPING, COMMUNITY JOBS, CHURCH AND RECREATION AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.

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 September 1990.

    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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