Southwest Center for Independence
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SWCI provides supports and training for local members of the disability and aging communities to live the lives they want in Southwest Colorado.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 91%
- Employees
- 15
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $70,100, executive dir.
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: 47 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 57% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 57% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $572,447 spent. The Independent Living program is our principle service. As a certified Center for Independent Living, we provide supports and services to help people become more independent and more included. We work together on the issues people bring us, from finding housing to making friends or starting a business. We provide assistance through information, referral, options counseling, independent living skills training, peer support, teaching people to advocate for themselves, and systems advocacy to break down barriers, and assistance with emancipation and deinstitutionalization.
- $269,205 spent. The Veteran-Directed Care program aims to provide in home services and supports to Veterans living in our 5-county catchment area. This program is funded through a contract with the Albuquerque VA.
- $70,728 spent. Southwest Rides is our transportation service, providing accessible driver-assisted door-to-door transportation for people with disabilities, those who are aging, and Veterans, to medical appointments, the food bank, and other places. We provided 2,567 rides this fiscal year. Since consumers do not pay for the service directly, SWR is funded through Medicaid, various contracts, donations, and grants.
- $59,362 spent. The Housing program includes administration of housing vouchersspecifically for people with disabilities. People pay 30% of their income on their rent, and the state government makes up the difference. The program also provides skills training and assistance in finding a place to live. In the current fiscal year, we administered 119 housing vouchers.
- $55,583 spent. The Community Transitions program works to advance Federal Olmstead and Money Follows the Person laws by allowing people living in institutions the choice of returning to the community. We facilitate assessments and risk mitigation, putting services in place that will allow the person to live a life of their own choosing in their own home.
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
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.
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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1991.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.