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The Foundation for Faces of Children

EIN 01-0422021 · Brookline, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceFair67 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Foundation for Faces of Children is dedicated to improving the lives of children with craniofacial differences, including cleft lip, cleft palate, and other head and facial conditions. Our mission is to provide patients and families with the most accurate, up-to-date, and accessible information about facial differences, and to advocate for the best care possible for children with facial differences.

Income
$75,163
Spending
$72,840
Spent on programs
49%
Reserves
92.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
2
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$16,106, communications manager

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 92.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    48% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 67 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $30,000 spent. Awarded six $5,000 scholarships to deserving high school students continuing on to college. The program was created in 1999 to benefit young adults with craniofacial conditions and are pursuing post-secondary education. There are specific criteria on which the scholarship awards are based and they are outlined in the application. The Jane C. McDaid Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship will be awarded to the applicant that shows evidence of strong community service. This scholarship was named to honor FFC past president and board member, Jane McDaid. The Barbara Seltzer Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship will be awarded solely to an applicant with cleft lip/palate who has been active in the arts or who will be pursuing a career in the arts. This scholarship was named to honor Prescription Parents co-founder Barbara Seltzer. The Dorothy MacDonald Scholarship: This scholarship will be awarded to an applicant who will be pursuing a career in the health profession. This scholarship was named to honor Dorothy B. MacDonald, RN, who has dedicated her career to caring for children with craniofacial differences. The Dr. John B. Mulliken Scholarship: This scholarship will be awarded to an applicant who demonstrates excellence in academic scholarship and leadership. This scholarship was named to honor Dr. John B. Mulliken, founder of the Foundation for Faces of Children, who has devoted his life to working with and improving the lives of children born with craniofacial differences.
  2. $3,300 spent. The FFC Cares Grant is a donated fund of money that 11 New England based craniofacial center will have access to utilize to help their patients/families. The FFC Cares Grant is intended to help offset a small amount of the cost burden for families who are receiving medical care. Whether it be assistance with gas for long distance travel, a meal voucher, parking assistance, or a contribution to local hotel stay while receiving care, the FFC recognizes all of the lengths our families will go to receive care for their child. These costs add up, and we want to help.
  3. $2,000 spent. Community Support Programs - Virtual support groups: FFC host virtual young adult and parent support groups every month. These groups meet and connect with others to have a chance to talk, ask questions, support each other and share experiences in a relaxed virtual environment. Educational Videos: Create and publish informational videos to enhance education and address frequently asked questions by these groups.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1987.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.