Nonprofit · EIN 63-1096855
THE EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION
Tax-exempt · HOMEWOOD, AL 35209
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $2,919,337 | $3,113,807 | -$194,470 | $7,359,956 | $206,506 | $7,153,450 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $2,696,252 | $2,833,546 | -$137,294 | $7,250,251 | $97,039 | $7,153,212 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $2,762,222 | $2,573,596 | $188,626 | $7,320,916 | $167,467 | $7,153,449 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,601,483
- of which government grants
- $266,081
- Program service revenue
- $1,146,836
- Investment income
- $65,736
- Net rental income
- $95,675
- Net income from fundraising events
- $9,607
- Other revenue
- $105,282
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $94,589
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $193,728
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,467,745
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,979,421
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Occupancy
- $97,619
- Travel
- $16,778
- Depreciation
- $269,915
- Program services (functional)
- $2,717,585
- Management and general (functional)
- $258,417
- Fundraising (functional)
- $137,805
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $7,250,251
- Total assets, end of year
- $7,359,956
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $206,506
- Net assets, end of year
- $7,153,450
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $4,418,800
- Publicly traded securities
- $1,735,203
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $7,153,450
- Gross receipts
- $3,067,068
- Employees
- 58
- Volunteers
- 778
- Year formed
- 1993
- State of legal domicile
- AL
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARA NEWELL | PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer | 40 | $184,490 | $10,438 |
| PATRICK STRONG | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIEL SIMS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LINDA STONE | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID BLACKMON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DREW GEARHART | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH HENDERSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BROOK BALOGH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BILLY DODSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLIE JORDAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LORI METROCK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MELVA TATE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT LYDEN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS KRAMER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELE NICHOLS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
9 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHERREL STEWART | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LU PITTS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PHILLIP SCHILLECI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ERIC BISHOP | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DIANE GRISWOLD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ALEX MORTON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CALEB WILSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JEFF DOWNES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN TRAWICK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 27 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARA NEWELL | PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer | 40 | $182,252 | $9,903 |
| MARY VIRGINIA BASTAR | VP OF OPERATION (1/1/24-06/5/24) Officer | 40 | $42,224 | $0 |
| SUSAN GARRETT | VP OF MARKETING (1/1/24-06/5/24) Officer | 40 | $36,703 | $0 |
| MANDY SCHWARTING | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK STRONG | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIEL SIMS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LINDA STONE | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID BLACKMON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DREW GEARHART | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH HENDERSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BROOK BALOGH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BILLY DODSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| COBB HAGAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLIE JORDAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LORI METROCK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MELVA TATE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT LYDEN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS KRAMER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELE NICHOLS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERREL STEWART | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LU PITTS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PHILLIP SCHILLECI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIC BISHOP | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DIANE GRISWOLD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ALEX MORTON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHANE OWENS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CALEB WILSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 27 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARA NEWELL | PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer | 40 | $176,215 | $6,834 |
| MARY VIRGINIA BASTAR | VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIO Officer | 40 | $93,917 | $8,472 |
| SUSAN GARRETT | VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETIN Officer | 40 | $78,779 | $8,080 |
| MANDY SCHWARTING | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK STRONG | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIEL SIMS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LINDA STONE | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID BLACKMON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DREW GEARHART | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LEIGH HAVER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEREMY HODGE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEMISON JONES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BILLY MAGRUDER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KRISTIN RITTER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH HENDERSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BROOK BALOGH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BILLY DODSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| COBB HAGAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLIE JORDAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LORI METROCK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MELVA TATE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT LYDEN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS KRAMER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELE NICHOLS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERREL STEWART | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LU PITTS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PHILLIP SCHILLECI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1616 OXMOOR RD, HOMEWOOD, AL 35209-3910
- In care of
- % BETH B ARNETT
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- SARA NEWELL, 1616 OXMOOR ROAD, HOMEWOOD, AL 35209
- Signed the 990
- SARA NEWELL, PRESIDENT AND CEO
- Phone
- (205) 870-0776
- Website
- EXCEPTIONALFOUNDATION.ORG
- Return prepared by
- HALEY & WOODS LLP
Mission
SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE, PEOPLE WITH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CHALLENGES, TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES AND THEIR FAMILY'S LIVES.
Program accomplishments
- THE EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION PROVIDES CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROMOTE LASTING FRIENDSHIPS, HEALTHY LIVING, LIFE SKILLS, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH AN ADULT DAY PROGRAM, WHICH RUNS DAILY FROM 7:50 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M., AN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM FOR EXCEPTIONAL YOUTH WHICH IS OPEN FROM 3-5:30 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS ALONG WITH AN 8-WEEK YOUTH SUMMER CAMP THAT RUNS 5 DAYS A WEEK DURING THE MONTHS OF JUNE AND JULY. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE EXERCISE, GAMES, MUSIC, DANCE, ART, CLUBS, SOCIAL TIME, AND FIELD TRIPS TO VARIOUS DESTINATIONS RANGING FROM DOWN THE STREET TO ACROSS THE COUNTRY.Expenses $2,717,585 · grants $94,589 · revenue $1,242,511
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 63-1096855
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1994
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Recreation and sports (N31Z)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $7,359,956
- Income (IRS master file)
- $3,067,068
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $2,919,337 | $3,113,807 | $7,359,956 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $2,696,252 | $2,833,546 | $7,250,251 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $2,762,222 | $2,573,596 | $7,320,916 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $2,440,542 | $2,149,162 | $6,886,702 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2017 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 63-1096855).
Questions about THE EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION
- What is the EIN of THE EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of THE EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION is 63-1096855.
- Is THE EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1994.
- Are donations to THE EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does THE EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of THE EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did THE EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of THE EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names SARA NEWELL.
- Who are the officers and directors of THE EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 24 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $184,490 (SARA NEWELL, PRESIDENT AND CEO).
- How much revenue does THE EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $2,919,337, expenses of $3,113,807 and total assets of $7,359,956 at year end.
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All nonprofits in HOMEWOOD · Alabama · Recreation and sports