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Griffith Centers Inc

EIN 84-0404251 · Northglenn, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak28 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 58 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

STRENGTHENING COLORADO COMMUNITIES ONE FAMILY AT A TIME, GRIFFITH CENTERS PROVIDES COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS SUCH AS FAMILY PRESERVATION, DAY TREATMENT, EDUCATION, TRUANCY PREVENTION AND COUNSELING SERVICES AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. GRIFFITH CENTERS ALSO PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL BASED PROGRAMS SUCH AS FOSTER CARE, RESPITE SERVICES, FOSTER TO ADOPT HOMES, RESIDENTIAL FACILITY AND TREATMENT. WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE HEALING AND HOPE TO THOUSANDS AS A NON-PROFIT AGENCY.

Income
$10.6 million
Spending
$10.6 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
134
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$144,760, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 28 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 58% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 58 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 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 (4)
  1. $1.6 million spent. RESIDENTIAL: THE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM, LOCATED IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, SERVES ADOLESCENT BOYS AGES 13-18 WITHIN LICENSED RESIDENTIAL CHILDCARE FACILITIES. THE PROGRAM HAS A TOTAL LICENSED CAPACITY OF 16 INDIVIDUALS AND IS NATIONALLY ACCREDITED BY THE COUNCIL ON ACCREDITATION. BETWEEN OCTOBER 1, 2024, AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, GRIFFITH CENTERS SERVED 30 YOUTH THROUGH ITS RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY WAS 5 MONTHS AND 5 DAYS. CORE STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS INCLUDE FAMILY AND SUPPORT SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT, EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES, SKILLS AND ASSET DEVELOPMENT, POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORTS, AND THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS.
  2. $1.2 million spent. EDUCATION: GRIFFITH CENTERS' EDUCATION PROGRAM, OPERATED THROUGH THE J. WILKINS OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL, PROVIDES A THERAPEUTIC, ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL SETTING FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 3 THROUGH 12 WHOSE ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL NEEDS ARE NOT ADEQUATELY MET IN TRADITIONAL SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS. THE PROGRAM PRIMARILY SERVES STUDENTS WITH INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLANS (IEPS) OR 504 PLANS AND THOSE IMPACTED BY TRAUMA, SCHOOL DISRUPTION, OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES. THROUGH SMALL CLASS SIZES AND INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION, THE PROGRAM INTEGRATES ACADEMIC COURSEWORK WITH THERAPEUTIC SUPPORTS TO ADDRESS BOTH EDUCATIONAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES INCLUDE INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING PLANS, CREDIT RECOVERY, GED PATHWAYS, AND SPECIALIZED INTERVENTIONS IN READING AND MATH, ALL SUPPORTED BY ONGOING ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENTS. LICENSED THERAPISTS PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND FAMILY THERAPY, ENSURING A COMPREHENSIVE, WRAPAROUND APPROACH TO STUDENT SUCCESS. THE PROGRAM ALSO INCORPORATES EXPERIENTIAL AND COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AS WELL AS CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, TO BUILD LIFE SKILLS, RESILIENCE, AND READINESS FOR POSTSECONDARY SUCCESS.
  3. $4.0 million spent. PASA: GRIFFITH CENTERS' PROGRAM APPROVED SERVICE AGENCY (PASA) PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE, PERSON-CENTERED SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (IDD), SUPPORTING THEIR ABILITY TO LIVE WITH INDEPENDENCE, DIGNITY, AND MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY CONNECTION. THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE, WRAPAROUND APPROACH, PASA DELIVERS A BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES TAILORED TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL SUPPORTS, PERSONAL CARE, HOMEMAKER SERVICES, SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT, PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING, BEHAVIORAL SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY-BASED DAY PROGRAMMING. SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO BUILD DAILY LIVING SKILLS, PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE, WHILE WORKING CLOSELY WITH FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF CARE. PASA SERVES INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING IN COLORADO'S DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (DD) AND SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES (SLS) WAIVERS AND EMPHASIZES TRAUMA-INFORMED, RELATIONSHIP-CENTERED CARE TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM SUCCESS AND STABILITY. DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD, THE PASA PROGRAM SERVED APPROXIMATELY 57 MEMBERS.
  4. $1.9 million spent. FOSTER CARE:AS A LICENSED CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCY, GRIFFITH CENTERS PROVIDES FOSTER CARE, FOSTER ADOPTION, SHORT-TERM RESPITE, AND SIBLING GROUP PLACEMENT SERVICES. THIS PROGRAM ADHERES TO THE FAMILY TO FAMILY MODEL, PROVIDING THERAPEUTIC SUPERVISED VISITATION AND FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES TO BIOLOGICAL FAMILIES AS WELL AS IN-HOME SERVICES IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE REUNIFICATION, INCREASE STABILIZATION, AND DECREASE DISRUPTIONS OF FOSTER YOUTH. THERE ARE INITIAL AND ON-GOING TRAININGS FOR FOSTER FAMILIES, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND 24/7 CRISIS INTERVENTION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 October 1955.

    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.

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.