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Cottonwood Community Alternatives Inc

EIN 84-1170633 · Englewood, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COTTONWOOD'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORTS AND SERVICES TO ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, EMPOWERING THEM TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AND PRODUCTIVELY AS POSSIBLE WHILE PROMOTING INDIVIDUAL CHOICE, DIGNITY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE. COTTONWOOD IS "PEOPLE SERVING PEOPLE".

Income
$12.4 million
Spending
$12.1 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
155
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$164,585, ceo/pres

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (1)
  1. $11.3 million spent. OUR AGENCY PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE, PERSON-CENTERED SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THROUGH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES, A BASE SITE DAY PROGRAM, COMMUNITY ACCESS ACTIVITIES, AND NON-LICENSED SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES. EACH SERVICE IS INDIVIDUALIZED TO REFLECT PARTICIPANTS' STRENGTHS, PREFERENCES, AND SUPPORT NEEDS, WITH THE GOAL OF PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE, DIGNITY, QUALITY OF LIFE, AND FULL COMMUNITY INCLUSION. . RESIDENTIAL SERVICES OFFER A VARIETY OF LIVING OPTIONS, INCLUDING FAMILY CAREGIVER ARRANGEMENTS, HOST HOMES, APARTMENT SETTINGS, AND ALTERNATIVE HOUSING ENVIRONMENTS. THESE SERVICES ARE TAILORED TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL AND MAY INCLUDE ASSISTANCE WITH ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING SUCH AS BATHING, DRESSING, HYGIENE, MEAL PREPARATION, CLEANING, LAUNDRY, AND SHOPPING. ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS MAY INCLUDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING AND ATTENDING MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, RECEIVING MEDICAL CARE, MEDICATION REMINDERS OR ADMINISTRATION, AND SUPPORT TO ENGAGE IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND BUILD MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS. AS A RESULT, PARTICIPANTS EXPERIENCE IMPROVED STABILITY, INCREASED INDEPENDENCE IN DAILY ROUTINES, AND STRONGER CONNECTIONS WITH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. . DAY PROGRAM SERVICES PROVIDE A SAFE, STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT BOTH AT THE BASE SITE AND IN THE COMMUNITY, DESIGNED TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALIZED ENGAGEMENT. PARTICIPANTS TAKE PART IN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CLUBS, EVENTS, PHYSICAL FITNESS, LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, COMPUTER-BASED LEARNING, VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, HOBBIES, AND SENSORY EXPERIENCES. THESE SERVICES LEAD TO INCREASED SOCIAL CONNECTION, ENHANCED DAILY LIVING AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS, AND GREATER PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY-BASED ACTIVITIES. . NON-LICENSED SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES PROVIDE SUPPORTS SIMILAR IN SCOPE TO RESIDENTIAL SERVICES BUT DO NOT INCLUDE HANDS-ON PERSONAL CARE. THESE SERVICES FOCUS ON GUIDANCE, SUPERVISION, AND SKILL-BUILDING TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE WHILE ENSURING PARTICIPANT SAFETY AND WELL-BEING. . ACROSS ALL PROGRAMS, THE ORGANIZATION MEASURES SUCCESS THROUGH OUTCOMES SUCH AS INCREASED INDEPENDENCE, IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE, ENHANCED COMMUNITY INTEGRATION, AND PARTICIPANT SATISFACTION. SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN ACHIEVING PERSONAL GOALS WHILE MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE. OUR AGENCY PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE, PERSON-CENTERED SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THROUGH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES, A BASE SITE DAY PROGRAM, COMMUNITY ACCESS ACTIVITIES, AND NON-LICENSED SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES. EACH SERVICE IS INDIVIDUALIZED TO REFLECT PARTICIPANTS' STRENGTHS, PREFERENCES, AND SUPPORT NEEDS, WITH THE GOAL OF PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE, DIGNITY, QUALITY OF LIFE, AND FULL COMMUNITY INCLUSION. . RESIDENTIAL SERVICES OFFER A VARIETY OF LIVING OPTIONS, INCLUDING FAMILY CAREGIVER ARRANGEMENTS, HOST HOMES, APARTMENT SETTINGS, AND ALTERNATIVE HOUSING ENVIRONMENTS. THESE SERVICES ARE TAILORED TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL AND MAY INCLUDE ASSISTANCE WITH ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING SUCH AS BATHING, DRESSING, HYGIENE, MEAL PREPARATION, CLEANING, LAUNDRY, AND SHOPPING. ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS MAY INCLUDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING AND ATTENDING MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, RECEIVING MEDICAL CARE, MEDICATION REMINDERS OR ADMINISTRATION, AND SUPPORT TO ENGAGE IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND BUILD MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS. AS A RESULT, PARTICIPANTS EXPERIENCE IMPROVED STABILITY, INCREASED INDEPENDENCE IN DAILY ROUTINES, AND STRONGER CONNECTIONS WITH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. . DAY PROGRAM SERVICES PROVIDE A SAFE, STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT BOTH AT THE BASE SITE AND IN THE COMMUNITY, DESIGNED TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALIZED ENGAGEMENT. PARTICIPANTS TAKE PART IN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CLUBS, EVENTS, PHYSICAL FITNESS, LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, COMPUTER-BASED LEARNING, VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, HOBBIES, AND SENSORY EXPERIENCES. THESE SERVICES LEAD TO INCREASED SOCIAL CONNECTION, ENHANCED DAILY LIVING AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS, AND GREATER PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY-BASED ACTIVITIES. . NON-LICENSED SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES PROVIDE SUPPORTS SIMILAR IN SCOPE TO RESIDENTIAL SERVICES BUT DO NOT INCLUDE HANDS-ON PERSONAL CARE. THESE SERVICES FOCUS ON GUIDANCE, SUPERVISION, AND SKILL-BUILDING TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE WHILE ENSURING PARTICIPANT SAFETY AND WELL-BEING. . ACROSS ALL PROGRAMS, THE ORGANIZATION MEASURES SUCCESS THROUGH OUTCOMES SUCH AS INCREASED INDEPENDENCE, IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE, ENHANCED COMMUNITY INTEGRATION, AND PARTICIPANT SATISFACTION. SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN ACHIEVING PERSONAL GOALS WHILE MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE.

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 June 1993.

    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.

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.