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The Center for Grieving Children Gretchen a Johnson

EIN 01-0431501 · Portland, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE, LOVING PEER SUPPORT, OUTREACH AND EDUCATION TO GRIEVING CHILDREN, TEENS, FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
21
Volunteers
401
Highest pay
$123,882, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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. $914,776 spent. BEREAVEMENT PEER SUPPORT: WEEKLY VOLUNTEER LED, AGE-BASED PEER SUPPORT GROUPS PROVIDE A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH CHILDREN, YOUNG ADULTS AND ADULTS WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE DEATH OF SOMEONE CLOSE CAN SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND FEELINGS WITH OTHERS WITH SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. TRAINED VOLUNTEER FACILITATORS SUPPORT CHILDREN, TEENS AND PARENTS/CAREGIVERS AT LOCATIONS IN PORTLAND AND SANFORD AND ONLINE.
  2. $177,873 spent. TENDER LIVING CARE: WEEKLY VOLUNTEER LED, AGE-BASED PEER SUPPORT GROUPS PROVIDE A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH CHILDREN, TEENS, YOUNG ADULTS, PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS COPE WITH THE CHANGES THAT COME WITH A FAMILY MEMBER'S DIAGNOSIS OF A SERIOUS ILLNESS. TRAINED VOLUNTEER FACILITATORS SUPPORT FAMILIES FROM THE POINT OF DIAGNOSIS ON WITH ILLNESS PEER SUPPORT GROUPS, PHONE SUPPORT, AND INFORMATION.
  3. $177,873 spent. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION: STAFF AND TRAINED VOLUNTEERS TAKE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE OUT TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, CRISIS SUPPORT, AND CONSULTATION ON SUPPORTING GRIEVING CHILDREN AND ADULTS. ONLINE RESOURCES, INCLUDING WEBINARS AND RECORDED TRAININGS, ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. INTERCULTURAL AND COLLECTIVE GRIEF SUPPORT: IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS, NONPROFIT AND OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS, THIS PROGRAM SERVES ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH-SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN WHOSE LOSS RESULTS FROM A RELOCATION TO MAINE, LEAVING BEHIND FAMILY, FRIENDS, COMMUNITY, AND CULTURE. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN PEER SUPPORT GROUPS THAT INCLUDE COLLABORATIVE GROUP PROJECTS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON CREATIVE ARTS AND SELF-EXPRESSION. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION: STAFF AND TRAINED VOLUNTEERS TAKE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE OUT TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, CRISIS SUPPORT, AND CONSULTATION ON SUPPORTING GRIEVING CHILDREN AND ADULTS. ONLINE RESOURCES, INCLUDING WEBINARS AND RECORDED TRAININGS, ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. INTERCULTURAL AND COLLECTIVE GRIEF SUPPORT: IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS, NONPROFIT AND OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS, THIS PROGRAM SERVES ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH-SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN WHOSE LOSS RESULTS FROM A RELOCATION TO MAINE, LEAVING BEHIND FAMILY, FRIENDS, COMMUNITY, AND CULTURE. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN PEER SUPPORT GROUPS THAT INCLUDE COLLABORATIVE GROUP PROJECTS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON CREATIVE ARTS AND SELF-EXPRESSION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 June 2025.

    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 May 1988.

    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 October 21, 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.