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200 ROESSLER RD
Pittsburgh PA 15220-1037
Pittsburgh PA | IRS ruling year: 1999 | EIN: 25-1215557
MAINSTAY LIFE SERVICES PROVIDES LIFE-LONG, HIGH-QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES LEAD FULFILLING LIVES AND REALIZE THEI ... (More)
MAINSTAY LIFE SERVICES PROVIDES LIFE-LONG, HIGH-QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES LEAD FULFILLING LIVES AND REALIZE THEIR VISION OF A DESIRABLE FUTURE. (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: 80% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% 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!
Mainstay Life Services 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 2021, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
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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 - 20.21% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 20.21% - 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 - 84.46% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 84.46% - 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.
No Data Available
Key Persons data is currently unavailable for this organization. This data is only available if this charity has at least one year of electronically-filed Form 990 data filed within the last six years.
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:
Aid to the handicapped (see also 031) (BMF activity code: 160)
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 (Mainstay Life Services) or EIN (251215557) 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.
Mainstay Life Services reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
Revenue
Staffing
Administrative Capacity
Balance Sheet
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
Mainstay had to cancel all fundraising events. Expenses increased with the purchase of PPE. Staffing became difficult and the need to supplement wages with hazard pay and increased sick time further increased expenses.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
The pandemic did not change the need for us to support the persons served 24-7. It did change the way we operated our programs. We had to focus our efforts on maintaining safe conditions for the persons served and staff members. This required purchase of PPE, COVID testing kits and more.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
The pandemic helped us to move forward our Technology First initiative. We engaged technology in the homes for telehealth and provided handheld devices with a special app to monitor daily health/wellbeing. From program delivery to administrative support, technology supported our program delivery.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
Mainstay Life Services has a Technology First accreditation from Shift and continues to focus on how technology can be engaged to help people live more independent and quality lives. This was moved forward during the pandemic and will continue.
Not Currently Scored
Mainstay Life Services 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.
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Mainstay Life Services reported its largest program on its FY 2021 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
FOR 50 YEARS, MAINSTAY LIFE SERVICES HAS PROVIDED LIFE-LONG, HIGH-QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES, ENSURING PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES LEAD FULFILLING LIVES AND REALIZE THEIR VISION OF A DESIRABL ... (More)
FOR 50 YEARS, MAINSTAY LIFE SERVICES HAS PROVIDED LIFE-LONG, HIGH-QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES, ENSURING PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES LEAD FULFILLING LIVES AND REALIZE THEIR VISION OF A DESIRABLE FUTURE. CURRENTLY, THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS MORE THAN 330 PEOPLE THROUGH 24-HOUR FULL-CARE HOMES, SEMI-INDEPENDENT LIVING, SUPPORTED LIVING, HOME AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTS, LIFE SHARING, BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS, A SUMMER RESPITE PROGRAM, AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES. ALL SUPPORTS PROVIDED ARE TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EACH PERSON SO THEY CAN LIVE MEANINGFUL AND SUCCESSFUL LIVES. MAINSTAY IS A TECHNOLOGY-FIRST ORGANIZATION AND THE FIRST SHIFT ACCREDITED ORGANIZATION IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.MAINSTAY OPERATES 41 COMMUNITY HOMES AND 21 APARTMENTS THAT SUPPORT 142 ADULTS. THE ORGANIZATION OWNS MOST OF THESE RESIDENCES, INCLUDING HOMES DESIGNED FOR THOSE WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES, PHYSICAL HANDICAPS, AUTISM, AND DIMINISHING PHYSICAL CAPACITY AND INCREASING MEDICAL NEEDS DUE TO AGING. MAINSTAY ALSO OPERATES EIGHT COMMUNITY HOMES SUPPORTING ADULTS WITH PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME, A RARE GENETIC DISORDER.LIFE SHARING OFFERS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY LIVING ARRANGEMENTS. THE PROGRAM INVOLVES WORKING WITH FAMILIES OR SINGLE PERSONS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN OPENING THEIR HOME TO A PERSON WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY OR BECOME A PROVIDER FOR A FAMILY MEMBER.MAINSTAY PROVIDES BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF THE INDIVIDUALS WE SERVE AND THEIR SUPPORT SYSTEMS. THIS PROGRAM UTILIZES THE PHILOSOPHY OF TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE WITH THE APPROACH OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS AND POSITIVE SUPPORTS.THE SUMMER RESPITE AND RECREATION PROGRAM AND HOME AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO ARE LIVING AT HOME WITH THEIR BIOLOGICAL FAMILIES, BY THEMSELVES, OR WITH A HOST FAMILY. THE SUMMER PROGRAM SERVES 85 ADULTS ANNUALLY, MEETS A VITAL COMMUNITY NEED, AND IS UNDUPLICATED IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. HOME AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROVIDE SERVICES TO 120 PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LIVE IN THEIR OWN HOME OR IN THEIR FAMILY HOME BUT NEED ASSISTANCE TO DO SO. MAINSTAY'S SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES HELP PEOPLE FIND A CAREER THAT INCREASES THEIR FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE AND SENSE OF BELONGING WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY. WITH THE SMALL STAFF-TO-PERSON RATIO, EVERY PERSON RECEIVES DIRECT GUIDANCE BASED ON THEIR VOCATIONAL INTERESTS. STAFF ENSURES CONTINUED SUCCESS ON THE JOB THROUGH VARIOUS COACHING TECHNIQUES AND WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THE EMPLOYER. (Less)
Mainstay Life Services has earned a 96% 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
30% 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.
Mainstay Life Services supports people with developmental disabilities and their families.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Case management notes, Community meetings or town halls, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees, Suggestion box/email
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
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?
The more we listen and respond to input from the persons served the more prone they are to continue having important conversations with us about what is on their mind. We aim to have a very open and trusting relationship with the people we support. This helps the persons served to build greater independence - sometimes through the use of technology solutions - and encourages them to be better advocates for themselves and their peers.
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
Mainstay Life Services has an Advocates Advisory Board whose members are people receiving our supports. The group works to improve the quality and satisfaction of our services by assessing programs and making recommendations to the Executive Team and Board of Directors. One of the Advocates is a member of our Board of Directors. Advocates are included in the interviewing process for new hires and advocate on their own behalf to legislators. The advocates group is active and their input and suggestions are valued. Many of the persons served want to work and some need experience before securing a job in the community; some paid advocate positions will be available to assist in gaining this experience. This change came about in part from advocates being part of the interviewing process.
Equity Practices - Data Available - 95/100 ptsEquity Practices - Data Available - 95/100 pts
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 95 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 9 Equity Practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Equity Practices (3/7) | |
|---|---|
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Equity Policies and Procedures (6/7) | |
|---|---|
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Mainstay Life Services 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
MAINSTAY LIFE SERVICES PROVIDES LIFE-LONG, HIGH-QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES LEAD FULFILLING LIVES AND REALIZE THEIR VISION OF A DESIRABLE FUTURE.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
People with developmental disabilities will live within a community that sustains them and benefits from their participation. Mainstay Life Services will be regarded as the region’s provider of choice for individuals and families seeking services, and as the region’s employer of choice for qualified and committed professionals.
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: Grow our Services We aim to: Diversity our services/payor mix to fill gaps and expand options for community supports. Serve more people in more places. Become a "technology first" organization.
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Goal Two: Grow our Resources We aim to: Enhance fundraising capabilities. Create plans that address potential programmatic/financial implications of: Managed Care, Value Based Models, Changing Needs.
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Goal Three: Grow our Talent Lead in wages, retention, employee satisfaction. Recruit/develop strategic, transformational, adaptable senior leaders. Nurture an empowering culture. Develop/engage the Board.
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Mainstay Life Services makes development opportunities available to its leadership teams in order to support individual and organizational growth. An investment area has been in diversity, equity and inclusion where we have engaged outside resources to help the teams understand unconscious bias, structural inequalities, and more. We also partner with team members to establish growth and development plans, and invested in trainings and certifications.
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
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
Mainstay is involved with several advocacy organizations and talks to legislators to advocate for issues important to the intellectual disability / autism field. Mainstay representatives often present at local, regional and national conferences. In 2022, these included presentations at the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), RCPA and more. We have partnerships with other organizations that help to strengthen the services we provide and enhance outcomes for the people we support. We participate in community programs that including Disability Pride and the ReelAbilities Film Festival.
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.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light long-standing healthcare disparities and accessibility barriers for people with disabilities. Over the past two-plus years, we have all become more reliant on technology in everything we do – from work and education to social support and healthcare. At Mainstay, we are dedicated to harnessing the power of these digital connections to enrich lives and unlock potential. This includes expanding access to technology that enables people with ID/A to live - and thrive - in their community. Our commitment to technology has led to Mainstay becoming the first Pennsylvania provider to receive the Technology First Accreditation from Shift, an honor of which we are extremely proud. This accreditation demonstrates not only our commitment to continuous learning but also to championing innovations that bridge the gap between the needs of the people we serve and the technologies that can meet those needs. At Mainstay, technology isn't just about convenience; it's a means for enhancing health, wellness, safety, and independence, and it's crucial for the people we work for. Technology helps to support daily living and to better control and adapt to a living environment. Technology can include communication boards, medication dispensers, electric bicycles, smart mobility aids, tablets, and so much more. Mainstay has relationships with SafeinHome for remote supports, Wellbridge Health for health monitoring and maintenance, and StationMD for telehealth; we continue to explore additional partnerships that will enrich lives and unlock potential.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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