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Starkloff Disability Institute

EIN 84-1616567 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BUILDING INCLUSION WHERE WE LIVE, LEARN, WORK, AND PLAY THROUGH DISABILITY-LED PROGRAMS THAT ADVANCE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSFORM LIVES.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
19.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
20
Volunteers
196
Highest pay
$115,417, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 56% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    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 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 (4)
  1. $668,458 spent. THROUGH THE EMPLOYER AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS AND EDUCATIONAL TOOLS TO COMPANIES WISHING TO HIRE QUALIFIED PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND COMMUNITIES LOOKING TO ENSURE ALL OF THEIR MEMBERS CAN PARTICIPATE FULLY. THESE INCLUDE CUSTOM CONSULTING OPPORTUNITIES AND PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE STARKLOFF DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT SUMMIT TO HELP EXPAND PUBLIC AWARENESS AND THE UNIVERSAL DESIGN SUMMIT WHICH PROVIDES EDUCATION ON HOW TO BUILD COMMUNITIES WHERE ALL PEOPLE CAN LIVE, LEARN, WORK, AND PLAY. THE ORGANIZATION'S TEAM HAS OVER 100 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP IN THE AREA OF DISABILITY, AND ITS METHODS HAVE BEEN TESTED AND PROVEN SUCCESSFUL AT NUMEROUS COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS ST. LOUIS AND BEYOND.
  2. $206,068 spent. THE DREAM BIG PROGRAM STRIVES TO EMPOWER COLLEGE AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL-BOUND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES TO RAISE THEIR EXPECTATIONS FOR THEIR OWN FUTURES. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO SHOW STUDENTS THAT THEY CAN DO MANY THINGS THAT THEIR NON-DISABLED PEERS CAN DO, AND THEY SHOULD NOT LIMIT THEIR CAREER GOALS. BY PARTICIPATING IN DREAM BIG, STUDENTS WILL GAIN THE CONFIDENCE TO EXPLORE DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE STEPS NECESSARY TO SUCCESSFULLY LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AS A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY.
  3. $119,724 spent. STARKLOFF CAREER ACADEMY HELPS ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES GAIN THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE NEEDED TO SUCCEED IN THE WORKPLACE. THE 4-WEEK FOUNDATIONS COURSE HELPS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES LOOKING FOR THEIR FIRST JOB GAIN THE FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND TOOLS THEY NEED TO START THEIR CAREER JOURNEY. THE 8-WEEK TRANSITIONS COURSE HELPS INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY BE CHANGING PROFESSIONS OR RESPONDING TO NEWLY ACQUIRED DISABILITIES SUCCESSFULLY ADVANCE THEIR CAREERS. THE MONTHLY ADVANCEMENTS COURSE PROVIDES DISABLED PROFESSIONALS WHO WANT TO BECOME SUPERVISORS OR TAKE ON LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES WITH MENTORING, VIRTUAL LUNCH-AND-LEARNS WITH GUEST EXPERTS, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES.
  4. $63,398 spent. ACCESS U IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES TO DEVELOP PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND SUCCESSFULLY BEGIN THEIR CAREERS. THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS, AND EVENTS, STUDENTS ACQUIRE THE SKILLS TO BECOME COMPETITIVE JOB SEEKERS. STUDENTS CAN RECEIVE PERSONALIZED ASSISTANCE REGARDING DEVELOPING A DISABILITY DISCLOSURE PLAN, CREATING COMPETITIVE RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS, PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS, BUILDING PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS, AND MORE. STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE THE ACCESS U CURRICULUM RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE CONNECTIONS TO SDI'S CORPORATE PARTNERS OFFERING INTERNSHIP AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 2003.

    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.