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Disability Rights Oregon

EIN 93-0686170 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE AND DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

Income
$5.3 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 57%
Employees
40
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$209,379, ceo and executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    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 September 30, 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 (1)
  1. $3.8 million spent. DURING THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024, DISABILITY RIGHTS OREGON INCURRED PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES IN THE FOLLOWING MAJOR CATEGORIES: CHILDREN'S RIGHTS PROJECT: CHANGING EDUCATION, FOSTER CARE, AND OTHER SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE OREGON'S CHILDREN WITH THE ACADEMICS AND SUPPORT SERVICES THEY NEED TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL. EFFORTS INCLUDE CLASS-ACTION LAWSUITS ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN IN OREGON'S BROKEN FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND CHILDREN NOT RECEIVING FAIR AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATION, LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY LIMITING USE OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINTS IN SCHOOLS, AND LEGAL COUNSEL FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS ABOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION. WHEN CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE PROPER RESOURCES EARLY IN THEIR LIVES, THEY CAN THRIVE ALONGSIDE THEIR PEERS IN CLASSROOMS AND COMMUNITIES FOR YEARS TO COME.PROJECT INDEPENDENCE: EXPANDING JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. WE OFFER ADVICE AND TOOLS TO PROTECT AND ASSERT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. SUPPORTED BY OUR FREE-OF-CHARGE LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ACCESS PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED UNDER THE REHABILITATION ACT, VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, INDEPENDENT LIVING, SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT, AND SIMILAR SERVICES IN OREGON. WE ALSO WORK TO PROMOTE EQUAL ACCESS TO VACCINATIONS, INVESTIGATE SMALL INSTITUTIONS AND GROUP HOMES WHERE PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES LIVE, PROMOTE ACCESSIBLE HOUSING, AND ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHEN SEEKING HEALTHCARE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND RELATED SERVICES. CRIME SURVIVOR PROJECT: PROMOTING EMPOWERMENT AND JUSTICE FOR CRIME SURVIVORSEVEN IF THE CRIME HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO BE VICTIMS OF CRIME COMPARED TO OTHERS. WE SUPPORT CRIME SURVIVORS WITH DISABILITIES BY EXPLAINING SURVIVOR RIGHTS, PROVIDING FREE-OF-CHARGE LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES, AND HELPING INDIVIDUALS NAVIGATE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. OUR SERVICES INCLUDE HELPING SURVIVORS WRITE VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS, ACCOMPANYING CLIENTS TO COURT, ADVOCATING FOR INVESTIGATIONS, AND FILING LEGAL DOCUMENTS. WE ALSO HELP SECURE PROTECTION ORDERS, ADVOCATE FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS, AND ENFORCE SURVIVOR RIGHTS IN HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND SCHOOL.FINANCIAL PROTECTION & EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM: PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES SHOULD LIVE FREE OF FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION AND SHOULD EXPERIENCE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT. WE PROVIDE INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT OF SOCIAL SECURITY'S REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE PROGRAM TO PROTECT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FROM FINANCIAL ABUSE WHILE ALSO HELPING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARIES EXPLORE EMPLOYMENT AND ACHIEVE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, WE HELP REPRESENTATIVE PAYEES UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO THE PERSON THEY SERVE, REVIEW FINANCIAL RECORDS, AND IDENTIFY AND REPORT CASES WHERE FUNDS ARE BEING IMPROPERLY USED OR STOLEN. WE OFFER GUIDANCE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND ARE WORKINGOR WISH TOIN OREGON AND SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON STATE.GUARDIANSHIP AND ALTERNATIVES: EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE WITH AS MUCH AUTONOMY AND FREEDOM AS POSSIBLE. WE REPRESENT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FACING GUARDIANSHIP OR CONSERVATORSHIP IN OREGON TO ENSURE THEIR RIGHTS ARE UPHELD. WE ALSO OFFER INFORMATION STATEWIDE ABOUT ALTERNATIVES TO GUARDIANSHIP, INCLUDING DECLARATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, ADVANCED HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE, POWER OF ATTORNEY, SUPPORTED DECISION-MAKING, AND FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT.MENTAL HEALTH RIGHTS PROJECT: PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS DESERVE ACCESS TO THE SUPPORTS AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO THRIVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, AND NO PERSON SHOULD BE ABUSED OR NEGLECTED IN A STATE INSTITUTION. WE COMBAT THE CRIMINALIZATION OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND PROVIDE FREE-OF-CHARGE LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES. WE ARE COMMITTED TO UNDERSTANDING AND ADDRESSING THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES FACED BY DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, AND OUR WORK INCLUDES ADVOCACY FOR COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES, LITIGATION SEEKING RESTORATION TREATMENT WHEN PEOPLE ARE UNABLE TO AID AND ASSIST IN THEIR DEFENSE, DIRECT REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE FACING CIVIL COMMITMENT IN MULTNOMAH COUNTY, AND INVESTIGATIONS INTO SYSTEMS NEGATIVELY IMPACTING PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS SUCH AS JAILS, PRISONS, AND EMERGENCY ROOMS.VOTING ACCESSIBILITY: LIFTING BARRIERS TO VOTING FOR OREGONIANS WITH DISABILITIES. LIKE ALL AMERICANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE THE RIGHT TO CAST A PRIVATE AND INDEPENDENT BALLOT, YET THEY VOTE AT A LOWER RATE THAN OTHERS. WE PROVIDE VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND PUBLISH THE FULLY ACCESSIBLE EASY VOTING GUIDE IN PRINT AND ONLINE TO PROMOTE VOTING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION IN OREGON'S ELECTORAL PROCESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 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 September 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 October 1977.

    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.

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