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350 TWIN DOLPHIN DR STE 123
Redwood City CA 94065-1458
Redwood City CA | IRS ruling year: 1946 | EIN: 94-1156502
Organization Mission
EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL THROUGH INNOVATIVE INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.
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, weighted as follows: 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 As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for AbilityPath is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations.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.
AbilityPath 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.
Learn more
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 21/22 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 21/22 - 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 - 30.60% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 30.60% - 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 - 79.63% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 79.63% - 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
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 (AbilityPath) or EIN (941156502) 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.
AbilityPath reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
Revenue
Staffing
Balance Sheet
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
We have incurred additional expenses related to COVID-19
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
The majority of our services pivoted from in-person to virtual.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
We identified the appropriate staff person to oversee our COVID response and that has been very helpful.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
We intend to offer some services virtually as our participants appreciate the flexibility it offers.
Not Currently Scored
AbilityPath 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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AbilityPath reported its three largest programs on its FY 2021 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
PRESCHOOL - A MODEL OF INCLUSION WHERE CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT SPECIAL NEEDS LEARN AND PREPARE FOR KINDERGARTEN TOGETHER USING A PLAY-BASED CURRICULUM. APPROXIMATELY 180 ENROLLED.
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
CHILDREN'S SERVICES INCLUDING FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES - FREE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS AND CARE COORDINATION TO ENSURE THE EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF AND ACCESS TO SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ... (More)
CHILDREN'S SERVICES INCLUDING FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES - FREE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS AND CARE COORDINATION TO ENSURE THE EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF AND ACCESS TO SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO SERVE THEM AND A FULL RANGE O (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
ADULT SERVICES - PROGRAMS OFFERING INDEPENDENT LIVING AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING CLASSES, AS WELL AS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOR ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES. APPROXIMATELY 800 INDIVIDUALS AR ... (More)
ADULT SERVICES - PROGRAMS OFFERING INDEPENDENT LIVING AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING CLASSES, AS WELL AS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOR ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES. APPROXIMATELY 800 INDIVIDUALS ARE SERVED. (Less)
AbilityPath 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.
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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.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Paper surveys, Case management notes, Community meetings or town halls, 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 funders, Our community partners
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time, It is difficult to identify actionable feedback
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
After receiving feedback from staff, we created a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
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.
AbilityPath 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
Empower people with special needs to achieve their full potential through innovative, inclusive programs and community partnerships
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
A world where people of all abilities are fully accepted, respected, and included.
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: Recovery from Covid-19, achievement of Financial Stability and Growth
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Focus on Team Health, Recruiting, Retention, and Staff Development
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Goal Three: Advocacy Leading to Increased Funding from DDS
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
We spent time on scenario planning with advisors from Deloitte's Monitor Institute to ensure that our team had the tools to manage through all of the unknowns associated with the pandemic. We are also investing in Strengths Management for our Executive Team - providing insight on our unique talents and demonstrating how these unique talents contribute to the organization's success
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
We have opened our staff development opportunities to other nonprofits, and our staff is often asked to speak to other nonprofits about our systems and practices. We are members of several statewide coalitions to increase our awareness beyond our immediate geographic area, to foster collaboration with nonprofits across California, and to amplify the voices of the individuals we serve. Our marketing team does a great job of sharing our achievements as well as our challenges with our community at large.
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.
During the pandemic we had to completely shift EVERYTHING to a virtual world. When you are providing human services this can be particularly challenging but we pivoted quickly, and our staff's innovative solutions ensured that the children, adults and families we serve were able to access the services and supports they needed.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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