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The Arc of Butte County

EIN 94-1746468 · Chico, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ARC OF BUTTE COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO SECURING FOR ALL PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOSE AND REALIZE THEIR GOALS OF WHERE AND HOW THEY LEARN, LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.

Income
$16.3 million
Spending
$14.4 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
1,089
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$153,381, executive di

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% 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

    8 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

    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. $13.0 million spent. LAST YEAR THE ARC OF BUTTE COUNTY SERVED OVER 1,400 INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE PROVIDED IN EXCESS OF 475,500 DIRECT SERVICE HOURS. THE ARC OF BUTTE COUNTY STARTED IN 1953 AS A GROUP OF PARENTS SEEKING SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FROM EACH OTHER AND HELP FROM THEIR GOVERNMENT. THE ARC'S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, TO GET A JOB AND EARN INCOME, TO LEARN SOCIAL SKILLS, TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION, AND TO TAKE PART IN DAILY ACTIVITIES MOST PEOPLE TAKE FOR GRANTED. OUR CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS GIVE PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS A BREAK FROM THE DAY-TO-DAY STRESSES OF RAISING A SPECIAL-NEEDS CHILD, HELPING TO KEEP FAMILIES HEALTHY, COHESIVE, AND UNITED. THE ARC PROVIDES SERVICES WHEREVER THEY ARE NEEDED; IN OUR SERVICE CENTERS, IN CLIENT'S HOMES, AND THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. WE PROVIDE FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS, FAMILY AND CLIENT SERVICES THROUGH; RESPITE CARE; INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING; ADULT DAY PROGRAMS; AND VOCATIONAL READINESS PROGRAM IN ARC STORES IN CHICO. LAST YEAR THE ARC OF BUTTE COUNTY SERVED OVER 1,400 INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE PROVIDED IN EXCESS OF 475,500 DIRECT SERVICE HOURS. THE ARC OF BUTTE COUNTY STARTED IN 1953 AS A GROUP OF PARENTS SEEKING SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FROM EACH OTHER AND HELP FROM THEIR GOVERNMENT. THE ARC'S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, TO GET A JOB AND EARN INCOME, TO LEARN SOCIAL SKILLS, TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION, AND TO TAKE PART IN DAILY ACTIVITIES MOST PEOPLE TAKE FOR GRANTED. OUR CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS GIVE PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS A BREAK FROM THE DAY-TO-DAY STRESSES OF RAISING A SPECIAL-NEEDS CHILD, HELPING TO KEEP FAMILIES HEALTHY, COHESIVE, AND UNITED. THE ARC PROVIDES SERVICES WHEREVER THEY ARE NEEDED; IN OUR SERVICE CENTERS, IN CLIENT'S HOMES, AND THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. WE PROVIDE FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS, FAMILY AND CLIENT SERVICES THROUGH; RESPITE CARE; INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING; ADULT DAY PROGRAMS; AND VOCATIONAL READINESS PROGRAM IN ARC STORES IN CHICO.

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 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 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 December 1954.

    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.