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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: August 2025 Expires: August 2027

Ability Center of Greater Toledo

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
10 16
(419) 885-5733
5605 Monroe Street
Sylvania, OH, 43560
https://abilitycenter.org/
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Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Ability Center of Greater Toledo does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 10 (Ending Net Assets)
Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher.

ACGT does not meet this Standard because:

  • According to the organization's consolidated audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended 9/30/2024, the organization's total unrestricted net assets were $60,186,702, or 8.6 times the charity's total expenses of $6,417,992. Since ACT's Supporting Organization is established principally to hold investments and the organizations are closely related, it is BBB Wise Giving Alliance's position that the consolidated audited financial statements offer a more complete picture of what assets are available.  

In response to the findings for Standards 10 and 16, the charity stated:

“The Ability Center of Greater Toledo (ACT) and its Supporting Organization (SO) are two legally distinct 501(c)(3) entities with separate governance, financial policies, and decision-making authority. While ACT is the sole beneficiary of the SO’s charitable purpose, it does not control the SO’s finances or operations and must formally request funding each year. For this reason, ACT’s annual report reflects only its own financial activity and not that of the SO. Although our audited financial statements include consolidated figures for compliance, they clearly distinguish between ACT and SO finances. Including SO figures in our annual report would inaccurately suggest ACT has discretion over funds it does not control. This reporting approach aligns with nonprofit best practices and our commitment to transparency and accountability.”

Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

ACGT does not meet this Standard because the 2024 annual report did not include:

  • A financial summary matching the organization's 2024 consolidated financial statements for the year ended 9/30/2024. 

In response to the findings for Standards 10 and 16, the charity stated:

“The Ability Center of Greater Toledo (ACT) and its Supporting Organization (SO) are two legally distinct 501(c)(3) entities with separate governance, financial policies, and decision-making authority. While ACT is the sole beneficiary of the SO’s charitable purpose, it does not control the SO’s finances or operations and must formally request funding each year. For this reason, ACT’s annual report reflects only its own financial activity and not that of the SO. Although our audited financial statements include consolidated figures for compliance, they clearly distinguish between ACT and SO finances. Including SO figures in our annual report would inaccurately suggest ACT has discretion over funds it does not control. This reporting approach aligns with nonprofit best practices and our commitment to transparency and accountability.”

Ability Center of Greater Toledo meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to make our community the most disability friendly in the nation by increasing independence for people with disabilities, discovering true passions, and changing the community's perception of disability."

Year, State Incorporated:
1920, OH

Ability Center of Greater Toledo (ACGT) provides services designed to support individuals with disabilities in achieving independence and enhancing quality of life. The organization’s independent living services offer guidance on daily living skills, including mobility, self-care, and community integration. The assistive technology services include access to specialized technology that supports individuals in education, employment, and daily life, through adaptive devices, software, and home modifications. ACGT’s youth and transition services focus on supporting youth with disabilities in transitioning from school to work or independent living. The organization reports that it provides training, mentorship, and advocacy to ensure smooth transitions into adulthood. The community education and outreach center promotes disability awareness through workshops, training, and public events aimed at increasing community understanding and inclusion. ACGT’s advocacy and public policy work on local, state, and national advocacy efforts to promote rights and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. During 2024, the organization reports serving over 1,500 individuals and providing more than 500 hours of advocacy support.

For the year ended September 30, 2024, Ability Center of Greater Toledo's program expenses were:

Housing and advocacy services $2,891,216
Youth and transition services (Independent Living) $814,277
Assistance dogs $1,315,285
Total Program Expenses $5,020,778

Chief Executive
Ashley Lemons, Executive Director

Compensation*
$146,016

Chair of the Board
Adrienne Bell

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
IT Analyst, First Solar

Board Size
15

Paid Staff Size
50

*Compensation, as reported by the charity, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Note: According to ACGT's IRS form 990 for the year ended September 30, 2024, former Executive Director, Mr. James Stuart, was compensated $173,727 during 2023.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio

Fundraising costs were 10% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,427,893, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Ability Center of Greater Toledo's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2024.

Source of Funds
Loss on disposal of property and equipment $150
Miscellaneous $13,331
Equipment sales $17,759
Interest income $18,041
Distributions from trust $62,300
Program service fees $99,433
Bequests $150,070
Contributions $534,320
Grants $1,743,503
Investment income, net $11,582,326
Total Income $14,221,233

Programs: 78% Fundraising: 4% Administrative: 18%

Total Income $14,221,233
Total expenses: $6,417,992
  Program expenses $5,020,778
  Fundraising expenses $250,758
  Administrative expenses $1,146,456
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $7,803,241
Beginning Net Assets $53,414,702
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $61,350,262
Total Liabilities $3,822,240
Total Assets $65,172,502

Note: In the financial summary above, “other changes in net assets” refers to change in value in perpetual trusts.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance