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FRANZISKA RACKER CENTERS INC
ITHACA, NY · EIN 150581887 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE P820 · Human Services · Large ($10M-$50M) · racker.org
revenue
$49.0M
expenses
$48.7M
net assets
$20.3M
employees
942
volunteers
70
program ratio
89%
mission · from form 990

WE SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES TO LEAD FULFILLING LIVES BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND BE CONNECTED WITH OTHERS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Nonprofit organization based in Ithaca, NY, serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Provides educational, residential, and community support services across Central New York. Offers self-directed support programs that allow individuals to customize services such as community habilitation and respite care. Operates programs for children and adults, with a focus on inclusion, independence, and quality of life.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $8.01M
    CHILDREN'S AND CLINICAL SERVICES:TEACHERS, THERAPISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS PROVIDE EVALUATION, EDUCATION & THERAPEUTIC SERVICES TO CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.
  2. #2 $6.08M
    SELF DIRECTED SERVICES:FRANZISKA RACKER CENTERS EMPOWERS PEOPLE TO DESIGN SUPPORTS BASED ON THEIR UNIQUE STRENGTHS AND NEEDS SO THEY CAN LIVE THE LIFE THEY WANT. INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WORK TOGETHER WITH A TEAM TO CUSTOMIZE SERVICES SUCH AS COMMUNITY HABILITATION, RESPITE, AND MORE.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Children's and Clinical Services
Provides evaluation, education, and therapeutic services to children with disabilities through teachers, therapists, social workers, and psychologists.
Community Support Services
Supports approximately 500 individuals through the Family Resource Program and Service Coordination, helping them access needed supports and services.
Residential Services
Offers comprehensive residential care for adults with developmental disabilities, supporting independent living in community-based homes.
Self-Directed Services
Empowers individuals to design their own support plans, including community habilitation, respite care, and staff management, under New York State’s Self-Direction program.
The Partnership Program - Preschool Autism Support Services
Provides early childhood autism support services in Ithaca and Cortland, focusing on inclusive education and family engagement.
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Disability Rights Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Empowerment 2 activities
    • Advocating for deinstitutionalization and inclusive policies for people with disabilities
      Engages in advocacy efforts focused on deinstitutionalization and inclusive education for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Provides tools such as a one-click advocacy system to help constituents communicate with legislators.
    • Conducting public education initiatives to promote disability awareness
      Runs ongoing public education campaigns to increase community awareness and understanding of people with disabilities, supporting inclusion and reducing stigma.
  • Residential Support for Developmental Disabilities 2 activities
    • Delivering community support and service coordination for individuals with disabilities
      Provides community-based support services including community habilitation, respite care, and service coordination to approximately 500 individuals through the Family Resource Program and Self-Direction initiatives. Services are strength-based and tailored to individual needs across Tompkins, Cortland, and Tioga counties.
    • Providing comprehensive residential services for individuals with developmental disabilities
      Offers licensed residential programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ithaca, Cortland, and Owego, NY, supporting long-term habilitation and community integration.
  • Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
    • Hosting inclusive community events and public engagement activities
      Organizes annual community events such as Racker Day in the Park in Stewart Park, Ithaca, featuring sensory-friendly programming, crafts, games, music, and carousel rides designed for individuals of all ages and abilities.
  • Special Education Preschool Programs 1 activity
    • Operating early childhood and preschool programs for children with disabilities
      Runs specialized preschool programs including the Margaret Gibson Preschool and services at the Washington Gladden site, serving newborns and young children with disabilities in Ithaca, Cortland, and Owego, NY.
  • Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 1 activity
    • Providing evaluation, education, and therapeutic services to children with disabilities
      Delivers multidisciplinary evaluation, education, and therapy services to children with disabilities through a team of teachers, therapists, social workers, and psychologists. Services are provided across multiple locations including Ithaca, Cortland, and Owego, NY.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$48.97M
Contributions & grants$6.29M13%
Program service revenue$42.13M86%
Investment income$181K0%
Other revenue$374K
expenses
Total expenses$48.73M
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$37.65M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$27.78M
Cash$1.59M
Investments$5.12M
Liabilities$7.49M
Net assets$20.29M
Liquid reserves1.6 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +3.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 6
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
CRISTINE DONOVAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 38 $240K
KATHRYN BOARDMAN HIGHEST COMPENSATED EE 38 $158K
CECILIA CAMPBELL HIGHEST COMPENSATED EE 38 $154K
MICHAEL LEITER HIGHEST COMPENSATED EE 38 $139K
MONICA VAN HOUTEN HIGHEST COMPENSATED EE 38 $137K
BETHANY BROWN HIGHEST COMPENSATED EE 38 $133K
board members · 15
  • ALLAN BISHOP — BOARD MEMBER
  • ALOJA AIREWELE — BOARD MEMBER
  • EMILY PAPPERMAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • FRANK FETSKO — TREASURER
  • GIGI HORVATH — BOARD MEMBER
  • HEATHER WINEBURG — BOARD MEMBER
  • JO ELLEN ROSE — PRESIDENT
  • JOSH MARLAND — BOARD MEMBER
  • KELLEA BAUDA — BOARD MEMBER
  • KIM OVERBY — VICE PRESIDENT
  • KYLE DARLOW — BOARD MEMBER
  • MAX DELLA PIA — BOARD MEMBER
  • NANCY CORWIN MALINA — SECRETARY
  • REBECCA GOULD — BOARD MEMBER
  • SUSAN COLE — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 13

Who they work with

  • Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) Partner — Resource partner advancing autistic self-advocacy.
  • CQL Partner — Partner organization linked from Racker's website
  • Cerebral Palsy Associates of New York State Partner — Partner organization linked from Racker's website
  • Cornell University Partner — Collaborates with Cornell hockey coaches, players, and staff for community events including Racker Day in the Park.
  • Critical Design Lab Partner — Resource partner producing the Contra\* Podcast through Mapping Access.
  • Disability Intersectionality Summit Partner — Resource partner promoting access as an act of love.
  • Disability Visibility Project Partner — Resource partner promoting disability visibility and narrative change.
  • OCM BOCES Partner — Collaborates to provide counseling programs in Cortland County.
  • OLAS Jobs Partner — Partner organization linked from Racker's website
  • OPWDD Government — Requires OPWDD approval for individuals to access Self-Direction services.
  • Self-Advocacy Association of New York State – Central/Northern Region Partner — Resource partner providing regional self-advocacy support.
  • Sins Invalid Partner — Resource partner advancing the 10 Principles of Disability Justice.
  • TST BOCES Partner — Collaborates to provide counseling programs in Tompkins County.
strategies · 4

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.

  • Art as a Resilience-Building Tool
    methodology: art_for_resilience
    By using art to express and strengthen resilience, the organization supports adaptability and emotional well-being during crises because creative expression provides a non-verbal, accessible pathway to processing change and building community cohesion.
  • Inclusion and Systemic Transformation
    methodology: inclusion_and_belonging
    By transforming systems from segregation to inclusion and intentionally fostering belonging, the organization improves life outcomes for people with disabilities because systemic inclusion increases participation, dignity, and community integration.
  • Person-Centered Planning and Self-Direction
    methodology: person-centered_planning
    By empowering individuals to design personalized support services based on their strengths and needs, the organization promotes autonomy, self-determination, and independent living because agency in service design leads to more meaningful and effective outcomes.
  • Strength-Based and Circle of Courage Framework
    methodology: strength_based_development
    By applying a strength-based approach and the Circle of Courage model—centered on Belonging, Mastery, Independence, and Generosity—the organization fosters personal development and resilience because focusing on innate capacities rather than deficits promotes lasting growth and engagement.