irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $37.06MBIRCH OPERATES EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT NEW YORK CITY. YOUNG CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS ARE RECEIVING THE SPECIALIZED THERAPEUTIC AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THEY NEED TO OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES THEY AND THEIR FAMILIES FACE. BIRCH ALSO SERVES TYPICALLY-DEVELOPING PRESCHOOLERS FUNDED THROUGH NYC DECE. BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS OF OUR PROGRAMS, MANY OF THE CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS WHOM BIRCH GRADUATES EACH YEAR ENTER PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSES FOR TYPICALLY-DEVELOPING CHILDREN OR ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN LESS INTENSIVE SPECIAL CLASSES. THE PHYLLIS L. SUSSER SCHOOL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN IN FLUSHING SERVES CHILDREN AGES 5-21 WITH AUTISM, DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS, EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES, SEVERE SPEECH AND LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENTS AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES WHOSE NEEDS CANNOT BE MET BY THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. THE BIRCH ANNEX IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS SERVES CHILDREN AGES 5-8 YEARS OLD WITH AUTISM.
- #2 $677KOTHER-TRAINING AND OTHER INCOME.
named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Birch Annex
School in Washington Heights serving children ages 5-8 with autism
Community Habilitation (Com Hab) Program
Community-based services promoting independence and life skills for developmentally disabled individuals
Day Habilitation Program
Programs in Brooklyn and Queens providing daily support and activities for individuals with developmental disabilities
New Frontier Program
Employment support initiative assisting individuals with autism in transitioning from high school to work and independent living
Phyllis L. Sussner School for Exceptional Children
Specialized school in Flushing serving children ages 5-21 with autism, developmental delays, emotional disabilities, severe speech and language impairments, and traumatic brain injuries
Residential Services
24-hour care in 20 residences across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens for adolescents and adults with severe developmental disabilities
Riverdale Early Childhood Center
Preschool program in the Bronx providing early intervention services for children with special needs
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Day Habilitation Services 1 activity
- Deliver day and community habilitation servicesProvides Day Habilitation services in Brooklyn and Queens for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, and operates a Community Habilitation (Com Hab) program to support developmentally disabled individuals in building communication, confidence, independence, self-care, and daily living skills.
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Training and Capacity Building for Trauma-Informed Student Support 1 activity
- Deliver professional training and capacity buildingThrough the Birch Training Institute, provides comprehensive training and professional development to educators, clinicians, direct support professionals, and administrators, including CTLE, ASHA CEUs, and NYS-mandated trainings in child abuse identification, school violence prevention, and autism, serving both internal staff and external agencies across the Tri-State area.
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Charity Event Organization 1 activity
- Host annual fundraising and community engagement eventsOrganizes annual events including a 5K race, Golf Classic, and Soirée to raise funds and awareness, engage supporters, and celebrate community accomplishments, with recent events drawing hundreds to thousands of participants and raising over $120,000.
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Special Education Preschool Programs 1 activity
- Operate early childhood education and intervention programsProvides specialized therapeutic and educational services for children with developmental delays and typically developing preschoolers through early childhood programs in New York City, including the Riverdale Early Childhood Center in the Bronx, funded by NYC DECE.
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Special Education Support Services 1 activity
- Operate specialized schools for children with developmental and neurological disabilitiesRuns the Phyllis L. Sussman School for Exceptional Children in Flushing, serving children ages 5–21 with autism, developmental delays, emotional disabilities, severe speech and language impairments, and traumatic brain injuries, and operates the Birch Annex in Washington Heights for children ages 5–8 with autism.
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Residential Support for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Provide 24-hour residential care for individuals with developmental disabilitiesOperates 20 residences in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens that provide 24-hour care for adolescents and adults with severe developmental disabilities, offering housing and supervision as part of lifelong support services.
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Autism & Neurodiversity Education Workshops 1 activity
- Provide family support, education, and engagement programsOffers training for parents and families on communication, behavior management, applied behavior analysis, self-help skills, and community integration, and hosts a monthly Family Support Group for discussion, sharing, and mutual support.
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Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Support employment and transition to adulthoodRuns the New Frontier Program Initiative and offers customized employment services including internships, job training, and job placement to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder in transitioning from high school to employment and independent living.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$95.00M
Contributions & grants$10.32M11%
Program service revenue$84.30M89%
Investment income$493K1%
Other revenue$-111K
expenses
Total expenses$93.52M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$60.04M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$79.00M
Cash$4.06M
Investments$13.48M
Liabilities$59.58M
Net assets$19.42M
Liquid reserves2.3 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +8.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATTHEW STURIALE | PRESIDENT/CEO | 35 | $610K |
| JOSHUA SCHER | CHIEF FINANCIAL & OPERATING OFFICER | 35 | $478K |
| BRIDGET WALDREN | EVP | 35 | $313K |
| BRIAN CELARDO | CIO/SECURITY OFFICER | 35 | $251K |
| SAMANTHA NOTTINGHAM | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 35 | $246K |
| ESPA ZIGOURIS | SVP OF EDUCATION | 35 | $205K |
| NATHALIA BERGER | SVP OF HUMAN RESOURCES | 35 | $201K |
| LISA STERRANTINO | SVP OF COMMUNITY SERVICES | 35 | $200K |
board members · 14
- ALAN L GOLDBERG CPA — SECOND VICE CHAIR
- ANDREA BELCHER — BOARD MEMBER
- BETSY HOWARD — BOARD MEMBER
- CORIN SWIFT — BOARD MEMBER
- DAN BRECHER ESQ — SECRETARY
- FAHEEMA T ROSTOM — BOARD MEMBER
- GEORGE VARUGHESE — BOARD MEMBER
- GEORGIANA A MAGLOIRE — BOARD MEMBER
- JEAN RAWITT — BOARD MEMBER
- JUSTIN BACHMAN — TREASURER
- KEITH TAMAYO — BOARD MEMBER
- KIMBERLY HERNAS — CHAIR
- RAM NARAYANASWAMY — BOARD MEMBER
- ROBIN E KELLER ESQ — FIRST VICE CHAIR
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- 5K Forward Partner — Annual fundraising event supported by volunteers.
- Aaron Judge All Rise Foundation Partner — Collaborated to provide a virtual storytime event featuring author Matt de la Peña for Birch students.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Government — Approved provider for ASHA Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
- Apple Bank Partner — Refreshment Sponsor of the 5K Forward event.
- Development Team Partner — Internal team responsible for managing events, partnerships, fundraising, and volunteer opportunities
- EisnerAmper Partner — Community Partner Sponsor of the 5K Forward event.
- Golf Classic Partner — Annual fundraising event supported by volunteers.
- ING Partner — Premier sponsor of the annual Golf Classic fundraising event.
- JD Masters Plumbing & Heating Inc. Partner — Refreshment Sponsor of the 5K Forward event.
- Lamb Insurance Services Partner — Champion Sponsor of the 5K Forward event.
- Muttontown Club Partner — Hosted Birch Family Services' Fifth Annual Golf Classic on June 29, 2026.
- NYC DECE Government — Funds services for typically-developing preschoolers provided by Birch Family Services.
- New York City Government — Provides services across Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.
- New York State Education Department Government — Authorized provider for child abuse identification, school violence prevention, and autism workshops required for teacher certification or licensure.
- Soiree Partner — Annual fundraising event supported by volunteers.
- United Airlines NYC Half Partner — Partners with the United Airlines NYC Half to organize Team Birch, engaging runners to raise funds and awareness.
- Virtu Financial Partner — Refreshment Sponsor of the 5K Forward event.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Autism Acceptance Through Advocacy and Engagementmethodology: autism_acceptance_advocacyBy promoting autism acceptance via advocacy and community events, the organization shifts societal attitudes to foster inclusion because public engagement and visibility reduce stigma and create environments where individuals with autism are celebrated.
- Community Integration and Inclusion Modelmethodology: community_integrationBy providing community-based residential care and integrated support services, the organization promotes sustained community integration and belonging for individuals with developmental disabilities because living and participating in community settings fosters independence and social connection.
- Family and Community Capacity Buildingmethodology: capacity-building through family and community trainingBy training families and community members in specialized strategies, the organization enhances support for individuals with autism because empowered caregivers and inclusive communities enable individuals to lead more fulfilling and independent lives.
- Person-Centered, Strengths-Based Approachmethodology: person-centered_planningBy using a person-centered and strengths-based model, BIRCH FAMILY SERVICES empowers individuals with autism and developmental disabilities to achieve self-determined life goals because focusing on individual abilities increases engagement, autonomy, and long-term success.
- Supported Employment as Pathway to Independencemethodology: supported-employmentBy operating the New Frontier program to place individuals with autism and developmental disabilities in full-time jobs aligned with their strengths, the organization fosters long-term independence and dignity because meaningful employment reinforces self-worth and community belonging.