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Serendipity Center Inc

EIN 93-0730861 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE THE BEST ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS TO HEAL AND BECOME EDUCATED, PRODUCTIVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

Income
$7.3 million
Spending
$7.3 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
126
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$139,509, executive director

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: 72 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 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. $6.2 million spent. SERENDIPITY CENTER IS A PRIVATE, NONPROFIT THERAPEUTIC SCHOOL DEDICATED TO STUDENTS WHOSE COMPLEX NEEDS PREVENT ATTENDANCE IN PUBLIC SCHOOL SETTINGS. IN EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THIS REGION, THERE ARE STUDENTS FACING CHALLENGES THAT MAKE SUCCESSFUL PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOL IMPOSSIBLE. WITHOUT EFFECTIVE HELP AND THE CHANCE TO START OVER, THESE CHILDREN CAN BECOME DISRUPTIVE, UNSAFE, AND HIGHLY DISCOURAGED ABOUT THEIR FUTURES. IT IS OUR MISSION TO PROVIDE THE BEST ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS TO HEAL AND BECOME EDUCATED, PRODUCTIVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.THE FOUR PILLAR MODEL DEVELOPED AT SERENDIPITY INTEGRATES EDUCATION, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS, TRANSITION READINESS, AND WELLNESS INTO ALL SCHOOL DAYS. 92 STUDENTS REFERRED BY 20 REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE SERVED BY SERENDIPITY OVER THE COURSE OF 2024-2025. ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:* AMONG THOSE SURVEYED, 86% MADE PROGRESS ON READING GOALS, 93% MADE PROGRESS ON WRITING GOALS, AND 86% MADE PROGRESS ON MATH GOALS* 93% OF STUDENTS IMPROVED THEIR OVERALL GRADES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, SHOWING STEADY ACADEMIC ADVANCEMENT. * WE SERVED OVER 20,000 ORGANIC MEALS MADE FROM SCRATCH IN OUR KITCHEN.* OVER 2,500 POUNDS OF PRODUCE WAS HARVESTED FROM OUR GROWING MINDS GARDEN. PRODUCE WAS MADE INTO SCHOOL LUNCHES, GIVEN AWAY TO STUDENT FAMILIES, DONATED, OR PREPARED AND PRESERVED BY STUDENTS IN CULINARY ARTS ELECTIVES AND INTERNSHIPS. * STUDENTS PASSED THE FOOD HANDLER'S TEST AND GOT THEIR FOOD HANDLER'S LICENSE. * CLINICAL CASE MANAGERS WORKED WITH FAMILIES TO SUPPORT THEM HOLISTICALLY. THEY CONTINUED TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN LARGER COMMUNITY TREATMENT TEAMS FOR OUR STUDENTS. * WE DEVELOPED A DYNAMIC SHORT-TERM STRATEGIC PLAN TO GUIDE OUR ACTIVITIES OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS. * WE LAUNCHED THE UKERU SYSTEM, A TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH PROVEN TO REDUCE RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION AND INCREASE SAFETY FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF.* FOR THE SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, SERENDIPITY CENTER WAS GIVEN THE SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS (NASET).

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 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 November 6, 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 June 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 June 1979.

    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 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.