irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $10.57MRESIDENTIAL SERVICES - TO PROVIDE A HOME LIFE ENVIRONMENT, CONSITSTING OF ROAM AND BOARD, RECREATIONAL AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR PHYSICALLY AND DEVELOPMENTLLY DISABLE ADULTS. APPROXIMATLY 158 SERVED.
- #2 $17.60MEDUCATIONAL SERVICES - TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGED CHILLDREN WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE DISABILITIES. APPROXIMATELY 715 SERVED.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Abilities First School
Serves students ages 5–21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities from 14 school districts; located in New Windsor with specialized classrooms and therapy spaces.
Early Intervention Services
Offers support for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families, including therapy and advocacy.
Educational Services
Provides educational programs for preschool and school-aged children with moderate to severe disabilities; serves over 700 students across multiple campuses.
Family Support Services
Provides advocacy, resources, and financial reimbursement for goods and services related to caring for a family member with a developmental disability.
Residential Services
Provides home-like living environments with room and board, recreation, and rehabilitation programs for physically and developmentally disabled adults; serves approximately 158 individuals.
activities · 12 groups
What they do
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Residential Support for Developmental Disabilities 3 activities
- Delivers home and community-based habilitation and respite servicesProvides one-to-one home and community-based habilitation and respite care for children and adults with developmental disabilities, supporting skill development and family relief.
- Offers family support, advocacy, and grant programsProvides family support services including advocacy, education, training, and reimbursement grants for OPWDD-eligible families to cover respite, recreation, summer camp, and crisis-related expenses.
- Provides residential services for adults with developmental disabilitiesOffers residential supports including room and board, rehabilitation, and recreational activities for approximately 158 developmentally and physically disabled adults.
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Disability Rights Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Empowerment 2 activities
- Conducts self-advocacy training and support groupsOffers regular self-advocacy training and peer support groups for individuals with disabilities to promote independence and empowerment.
- Engages in public policy advocacy and awareness for disability inclusionAdvocates for disability rights and inclusion through public awareness initiatives and collaboration with local, state, and federal governments.
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
- Conducts food recovery and redistributionCollects day-old baked goods weekly from supermarkets and delivers them to "The Lunch Box" food pantry for redistribution.
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Academic Research Dissemination 1 activity
- Conducts research on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesCo-authors and publishes research papers in peer-reviewed academic journals focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Fundraising for Community and Charitable Initiatives 1 activity
- Funds programs through grant acquisition and fundraising eventsSecures financial resources through grantmaking and fundraising, including securing over $29 million in grant awards for Hudson Valley human services and directing proceeds from the Golf & Tennis Classic to support organizational programs.
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Community Event-Based Giving Programs 1 activity
- Hosts resource fairs and community outreach eventsOrganizes an annual showcase connecting individuals with disabilities and their families to over 40 vendors offering support resources, as well as holiday support (gifts and food) and home improvement projects to improve living conditions.
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Specialized Therapy for Children with Disabilities 1 activity
- Implements evidence-based clinical and behavioral supportsDelivers individualized clinical and behavioral interventions using evidence-based methods for individuals from preschool through adulthood with developmental needs.
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Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Operates community-integrated day services and employment programsProvides meaningful daytime activities, pre-employment training, and supported employment services tailored to personal interests and readiness levels for adults with developmental disabilities.
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Early Childhood Developmental Evaluation and Screening 1 activity
- Provides early intervention services for infants and toddlersDelivers Early Intervention services for infants and toddlers experiencing developmental delays or disabilities, supporting early development and family engagement.
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Special Education Support Services 1 activity
- Provides specialized education for children with intellectual and developmental disabilitiesOffers no-cost academic and therapeutic educational services for children ages 5–21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including transportation. Serves approximately 715 preschool and school-aged children annually.
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Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Runs a day camp program for children and youth with disabilitiesOperates a day camp for OPWDD-eligible children and youth (ages 5–21) during extended school breaks, running approximately 26 days per year.
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Animal Rescue Volunteer Coordination 1 activity
- Supports animal welfare through community partnershipsSupports animal welfare by collecting and delivering donated goods to the SPCA in Hyde Park and facilitating foster care and volunteer activities for elderly animals through its Day Habilitation Program.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$45.79M
Contributions & grants$470K1%
Program service revenue$44.61M97%
Investment income$214K0%
Other revenue$495K
expenses
Total expenses$43.91M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$32.21M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$33.80M
Cash$3.76M
Investments$3.07M
Liabilities$22.99M
Net assets$10.81M
Liquid reserves1.9 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +19.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 9
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEFFERY FOX | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 36 | $366K |
| MARK NACE | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $240K |
| KELLY MARTINEZ | CHIEF ADMIN OFFICER | 40 | $210K |
| KIM RYDER | CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER | 40 | $175K |
| CHERYL OGLES | BENEFITS COORDINATOR | 40 | $160K |
| LISA BRESSETTE | DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES | 40 | $148K |
| DONOVAN ASHE | DIRECTOR OF RESIDENTIAL SERVICES | 40 | $144K |
| GAIL ARMSTRONG | DIRECTOR OF NURSING | 40 | $128K |
| MARCY HANDLER | DIRECTOR OF GRANTS | 40 | $127K |
board members · 16
- CHRIS GILBERT — BOARD MEMBER
- DEEPAK VASHISHT — BOARD MEMBER
- DON MINICHINO — BOARD MEMBER
- GARY CASSIELLO — CHAIR
- GLEN HELLER — BOARD MEMBER
- JANET GIANNETTA — BOARD MEMBER
- JESSICA GLASS — SECRETARY
- MATTHEW SAIDMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- MIKE OATES — VICE CHAIR
- MOUJALLI HOURANI — BOARD MEMBER
- PAMELA GUNTHER — BOARD MEMBER
- PAUL SERES — BOARD MEMBER
- RACHANA TYAGI — MEMBER AT LARGE
- RICHARD KOLOSKY — BOARD MEMBER
- STEVEN HOWELL — TREASURER
- VINCENT ABBRUZZESE — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 30
Who they work with
- Assurance Partner — Lunch ‘N Putt sponsor for participants at the 2026 Golf & Tennis Classic.
- CDPHP Partner — Lunch sponsor at the 2026 Golf & Tennis Classic.
- CHG&E Partner — Tee box sponsor at the 2026 Golf & Tennis Classic.
- Cuddy Feder LLP Partner — Mystery gift sponsor at the 2026 Golf & Tennis Classic.
- DVM Industries Partner — Presenting sponsor of the 2026 Golf & Tennis Classic.
- FMC Partner — Beverage cart sponsor at the 2026 Golf & Tennis Classic.
- Feldman, Kleidman, Collins & Sappe LLP Partner — Presenting sponsor of the 2026 Golf & Tennis Classic.
- Hudson House Partner — Tee box sponsor at the 2026 Golf & Tennis Classic.
- Hudson Valley Service Providers Coalition — Abilities First leadership serves as Chair of this coalition of 22 organizations collaborating on Medicaid Redesign challenges.
- Hudson Valley Service Providers (HVSP) Coalition — Abilities First is a member of HVSP, a coalition of 22 organizations collaborating to meet the challenges of New York State’s Medicaid Redesign.
- In Flight, Inc. Partner — Co-founded Abilities Partnership of the Hudson Valley, Inc., a new parent corporation to provide services and support to people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
- LIFEPlan Care Coordination Organization Government — Abilities First leadership serves on the Board of Directors of this NYS Department of Health-authorized CCO for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- LIFEPlan Care Coordination Organization (CCO) Government — Abilities First leadership serves on the Board of Directors of LIFEPlan CCO, one of seven CCOs authorized by the NYS Department of Health for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- MVP Healthcare Partner — Tee box sponsor and committee member organization for the 2026 Golf & Tennis Classic.
- Mid-Hudson Association for Persons with Disabilities (MHAPD) Partner — Merged into Abilities First, integrating its Early Intervention and Family Support Services into Abilities First’s continuum of care.
- NFP Partner — Sponsor of the reception at the 2026 Golf & Tennis Classic.
- NYS Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council Government — Abilities First leadership is legislatively appointed to this council and co-chairs its Children’s Services Subcommittee.
- New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation Network — Abilities First leadership joined the Board of Directors in 2024.
- New York State Association of Day Services Network — Abilities First leadership serves on the board of directors.
- OPWDD Government — State agency through which eligibility is determined for family reimbursement and day camp programs.
- RBT CPAs, LLP Partner — Firm where the Board Chair is a partner, indicating a governance-level relationship.
- Rhinebeck Bank Partner — Institution where the Treasurer holds a senior position, indicating a governance-level financial relationship.
- Ridgewood Benefits Team Partner — Rally sponsor at the 2026 Golf & Tennis Classic.
- SGH LI Partner — Golf cart sponsor at the 2026 Golf & Tennis Classic.
- SPCA Partner — Collaborates with the SPCA in Hyde Park to collect and deliver donations for animal care.
- Savant Wealth Management Partner — Golf ball sponsor and committee member organization for the 2026 Golf & Tennis Classic.
- Stenger, Glass, Hagstrom, Lindars & Iuele LLP Partner — Firm where the Vice Chair is a partner, indicating a governance-level relationship.
- The Lunch Box Partner — Partners with "The Lunch Box" food pantry in Poughkeepsie to deliver recovered food weekly.
- home school districts Partner — Refers children to Abilities First’s specialized academic and therapeutic programs.
- local, state and federal governments Government — Works with government entities to advance disability inclusion and policy progress.
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.
- Abilities-First, Person-Centered Approachmethodology: person_centered_approachBy focusing on individuals' abilities, strengths, and personal goals—rather than limitations—and using person-centered planning informed by CQL standards, the organization promotes self-determination, integration, and improved outcomes because this approach empowers autonomy and aligns services with lived experience and individual potential.
- Community Integration Through Demographic Normingmethodology: community_integrationBy ensuring people with disabilities make up no more than 20% of participants in community settings, the organization promotes natural integration and social inclusion because this ratio mirrors general population proportions and reduces segregation.
- Employment First Philosophymethodology: employment_firstBy prioritizing competitive employment as the primary outcome for youth with developmental disabilities, the organization fosters independence and social inclusion because meaningful work is a key driver of self-sufficiency and community belonging.
- Integrated, Evidence-Based Service Modelmethodology: evidence_based_practiceBy delivering educational, vocational, residential, and therapeutic services in an integrated manner and grounding them in evidence-based practices like applied behavior analysis and positive behavior support, the organization improves lifelong outcomes because coordinated, clinically validated interventions increase effectiveness across developmental stages.
- Self-Directed Support Modelmethodology: self_directionBy allowing individuals to control their service decisions—including staffing, schedules, and budgets—through Self-Direction, the organization enhances autonomy and engagement because personal agency leads to more relevant, effective, and satisfying supports.