Stars- Students Tackling Autism-Related Syndromes
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Deliver support services to autistic college students
- Income
- $169,699
- Spending
- $150,658
- Reserves
- 2.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Highest pay
- $120,000, executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
- $80,000 spent. TEAM (Teaching Employment and Academic Mastery) program. Provided individualized mentoring, education planning and career development to support 12 autistic college students. The TEAM Coach meets and guides the students on a weekly basis in order to monitor their progress with classes and assists the students with time management, organizational planning and self-advocacy skills. All TEAM students are in good academic standing.
- $26,526 spent. STARS Connects program. We served 6 college graduate students this year by providing support services to help them develop their employment soft skills and prepare them for interviews, internships and employment. With an 85% unemployment/underemployment rate for autistic college graduates, this program will help to change the trajectory of this unacceptable statistic.
- $40,000 spent. STARS are Social program. Facilitated 23 peer-led social events with 410 students engaging in improving their social skills by having opportunities to play games, create craft projects, step out of their comfort zones by singing karaoke and playing volleyball alongside their college peers. This program is the "heart" of STARS, bringing together neurotypical college peers with autistic students on campus. Many friendships are created at these events and students also step outside of their comfort zones, which is key to building confidence, and that is why this program is so important to our mission.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2018.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.
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.