Your donation attempt encountered a problem. Please refresh the page to try again.
You're faster than our page! Give the page a little longer to finish loading and try your donation again.
600 FIRST AVENUE
Raritan NJ 08869-1346
Raritan NJ | IRS ruling year: 1998 | EIN: 22-2318999
TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO ENABLE THEM TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE AND INTEGRATION IN THE COMMU ... (More)
TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO ENABLE THEM TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE AND INTEGRATION IN THE COMMUNITY. (Less)
Great
This charity's score is 100%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 85% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 5% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for Alternatives Inc. is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
Alternatives Inc. has earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2020, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
Learn more
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 17/17 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 17/17 - 25/25 pts
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 pts
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
|---|---|
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsConflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 ptsBoard Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 ptsDocument Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsWhistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website - Listed - 3/3 ptsWebsite - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 45.76% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 45.76% - 15/15 pts
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
| Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Ratio - 88.27% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 88.27% - 25/25 pts
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
| Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2020
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Activities:
Activity data not reported from the IRS
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Alternatives Inc.) or EIN (222318999) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Alternatives Inc. reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Staffing
Administrative Capacity
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
Donations and grants held steady, but event fundraising declined due to observance of guidelines to refrain from indoor activities and congregating in large groups.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
Alternatives serves a vulnerable population, many of whom require care around the clock. Like many businesses, the employment crisis placed a tremendous burden on staff.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
Employees who do not have direct client care responsibilities worked remotely. All meetings were held virtually. Any staff who would come in contact with clients observed standards that exceeded CDC guidelines. Client activities were conducted remotely wherever possible.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
During the pandemic, the Adopt a Program Initiative began as a method of pairing board members with client programs. This has resulted in a greater awareness of the particular activities at the programs and honest connections between members of the board of trustees, clients and the staff who directly care for their wellbeing. The agency intends to expand this initiative outside the board in the future.
Not Currently Scored
Alternatives Inc. cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Learn More
Alternatives Inc. reported its three largest programs on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - Alternatives, Inc. provides residential services and support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to enable them to direct their own lives and to ul ... (More)
RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - Alternatives, Inc. provides residential services and support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to enable them to direct their own lives and to ultimately attain the highest possible quality of life (See Schedule O for details). (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
Community Services - consists of programs dedicated to servicing individuals who struggle with mental health needs as well as individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (See Schedule ... (More)
Community Services - consists of programs dedicated to servicing individuals who struggle with mental health needs as well as individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (See Schedule O for details). (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
Affordable Housing Programs - affordable housing is offered to consumers of Alternatives, Inc. through Agency sponsored projects to offset the high cost of rentals and to help overcome the obstacles o ... (More)
Affordable Housing Programs - affordable housing is offered to consumers of Alternatives, Inc. through Agency sponsored projects to offset the high cost of rentals and to help overcome the obstacles often associated with the limited incomes of people with (Less)
Alternatives Inc. has earned a 100% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 ptsConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 pts
100% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
Who are the people you serve with your mission? Describe briefly.
Alternatives, Inc. provides services to more than 500 people in nine New Jersey counties through diverse programs that include case management, housing, employment and clinical services to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the deaf and hard of hearing, and services and transitional housing to homeless families and individuals, some of whom have mental illness and/or substance use disorder.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Paper surveys, Case management notes, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our community partners
How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship with them or shifted power - over decisions, resources, rules or in other ways - to them?
Asking for feedback from those we serve is not a new concept for Alternatives, Inc. The agency has had a Client Advisory Committee and has conducted client surveys for more than 30 years. Alternatives also has client representation on several committees and boards that guide activities.
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
The COVID-19 pandemic naturally caused a reduction in the number of activities in which our clients could engage. In response to feedback that we received for the need for continued interaction among clients, the agency hired a Recreation Manager with direct responsibility for providing alternate and safe methods to provide this important service.
Equity Practices - No Data Available - UnscoredEquity Practices - No Data Available - Unscored
This organization has not provided information regarding the Equity Practices it is presently implementing. As such, the organization has not earned a score on this metric. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Alternatives Inc. has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableMission - 10/10 ptsMission - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO ENABLE THEM TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE AND INTEGRATION IN THE COMMUNITY.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Moving forward, Alternatives, Inc. is committed to achieving recognition as the social service agency of choice in providing residential and support services to people in the Greater Central New Jersey community.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals - 20/20 ptsGoals - 20/20 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Managed Growth
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Goal Two: Increase the Quality of Services Provided
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Three: Increase Visibility of the Agency
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
The agency is a member of several professional associations who conduct regular meetings and trainings. All management staff attend these and remain current in their training. The agency also engages in training toward succession planning and each department maintains a succession plan.
Mobilizing for Mission - 15/15 ptsMobilizing for Mission - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
The agency advocates for it's constituency through professional memberships as well as marketing efforts through an agency website, social media and in person (virtual) outreach efforts.
Adaptability Story - 30/30 ptsAdaptability Story - 30/30 pts
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Each day through this pandemic, Alternatives’ staff leave the safety of their homes to provide clients with 24-hour comprehensive support in healthcare, daily living skills, money management, as well as other services that assist individuals with living in the community. Alternatives’ staff enable clients to utilize community resources designed to meet their basic needs, such as medical providers, counseling services, shopping opportunities and financial institutions. Throughout Alternatives’ 40-year history, agency leadership has demonstrated an inclination for forecasting future agency needs as they have advocated for an individual’s right to live in the community. This diligence for sound financial planning as well as institutional planning placed the agency in a strong position as we face the greatest challenge we have ever known, the COVID-19 pandemic. Alternatives’ Leadership Team acted promptly to quarantine clients to their homes, prevent visitors and require that staff follow all CDC guidelines for the safety of the clients, the community and themselves. COVID-19 has had a significant impact on Alternatives and other organizations that support a population with a diminished capacity to understand the ramifications of improper social distancing and proper handwashing technique in addition to other hygiene protocol. Our staff is working diligently to maintain a clean and safe environment for both our clients and the staff and has been fortunate that these measures preserved the health and safety of our clients and staff.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
The Giving Basket is having some issues. If you wish to donate, please refresh the page. If the problem persists contact us.
Cart ID: Not Assigned
The Giving Basket is having some issues. If you wish to donate, please refresh the page. If the problem persists contact us.
Cart ID: Not Assigned
