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Exceptional Minds

EIN 80-0392843 · Sherman Oaks, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE YOUNG ADULTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM WITH CUSTOMIZED INSTRUCTION AND HANDS ON EXPERIENCE TO EARN A LIVING IN THE FIELDS OF MUTLI-MEDIA, COMPUTER ANIMATION AND POST PRODUCTION.

Income
$4.3 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 68%
Employees
80
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$253,615, executive director, ceo

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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 46% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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

    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 (3)
  1. $1.8 million spent. FULL TIME VOCATIONAL PROGRAM: OUR FULL TIME PROGRAM PROVIDES SKILLS BASED TRAINING AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT TO TEENS AND ADULTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. IT IS A THREE YEAR PROGRAM (10 MONTHS PER YEAR) WHERE STUDENTS RECEIVE COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING IN DIGITAL ARTS AND POST PRODUCTION, ALONG WITH WORKPLACE READINESS SKILLS TO PREPARE THEM FOR CAREERS IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY.
  2. $737,696 spent. STUDIO PROGRAMS: GRADUATES OF THE FULL TIME PROGRAM APPLY THE SKILLS ACQUIRED AT EXCEPTIONAL MINDS TO GENERATE PROGRAM REVENUE THROUGH PAID CLIENT PROJECTS, TYPICALLY FOR MAJOR MOTION PICTURES AND TELEVISION SHOWS. GRADUATE ARTISTS ALSO RECEIVE ONGOING SUPPORT AND TRAINING FROM SUPERVISORS AND EXCEPTIONAL MINDS STAFF, WITH THE GOAL OF EVENTUAL PLACEMENT IN COMPETITIVE OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT.
  3. $587,847 spent. PART TIME SKILLS AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS: STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN AFTER SCHOOL AND SATURDAY CLASSES DESIGNED TO BUILD SPECIALIZED SKILLS RELATED TO ANIMATION AND VISUAL EFFECTS CAREER PATHWAYS. STUDENTS MAY ALSO RECEIVE ONE ON ONE TUTORING TO DEVELOP SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES NEEDED TO ADVANCE IN THE PROGRAM. THE PART TIME OFFERINGS INCLUDE A SIX WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM WHERE TEENS AND ADULTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER GAIN FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS TO BECOME ANIMATORS AND MEDIA ARTISTS.

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 September 2009.

    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.

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