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Northern Colorado Kids Thrive

EIN 01-0633672 · Fort Collins, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES, BUILD EXPERTISE AND WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO ENSURE THAT ALL YOUNG CHILDREN IN LARIMER COUNTY HAVE THE CARE, SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES NECESSARY TO GROW, LEARN AND SUCCEED.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 61%
Employees
23
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$113,575, ceo

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 (5)
  1. $877,032 spent. SUPPORTING CHILD CARE PROVIDERS- EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE EARLY LEARNING, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILDREN WHO WILL SHAPE OUR FUTURE. TO SUPPORT HIGH QUALITY CARE, WE CONNECT PROVIDERS TO PROFESSIONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES SUPPORTING QUALITY CARE FOR ALL CHILDREN, INCLUDING COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AND TRAININGS, CAREER PATHWAY SUPPORT, COACHING SUPPORT ON SITE AT CHILD CARE PROGRAMS, AND FUNDING FOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES TO SUPPORT QUALITY CARE AND RATINGS.
  2. $471,165 spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH- NORTHERN COLORADO KIDS THRIVE WORKS TO BUILD AND SUPPORT A ROBUST AND WELL-CONNECTED EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE IN LARIMER COUNTY WITH SPECIFIC EXPERTISE IN INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH (IECMH), AND HEALTH EQUITY. THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS A COORDINATED, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO PREVENTION, EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND INTERVENTION FOR MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS IN YOUNG CHILDREN. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERS EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION TO CAREGIVERS AND EARLY EDUCATORS TO REDUCE BURNOUT, INCREASE RETENTION OF EDUCATORS, AND SUPPORT FAMILIES EXPERIENCING CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS IN THEIR CHILDREN.
  3. $323,519 spent. COMMUNITY/SYSTEMS INITIATIVES- WE CONVENE PROFESSIONALS, FAMILIES AND POLICY-MAKERS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT ISSUES IMPACTING CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE EIGHT. WE FACILITATE OR CO-FACILITATE MULTIPLE COMMUNITY INITIATIVES THAT FOCUS ON INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE CHILD. OUR WORK INCREASES COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDING OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE LONG-TERM SOCIETAL IMPACT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES. CURRENT INITIATIVES INCLUDE PROMOTING DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS, SUPPORTING SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL READINESS, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE INITIATIVES. WE PROVIDE EARLY CHILDHOOD RESOURCES TO FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
  4. $262,408 spent. UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL (UP)- OUR ROLE IS SUPPORTING BOTH FAMILIES IN ACCESSING AVAILABLE SPOTS AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES, AND CHILD CARE PROGRAMS IN PARTICIPATING IN THE UP PROGRAM INCLUDING ENROLLMENT, CURRICULUM, AND QUALITY INITIATIVES. AS THE LCO, WE ALSO WORK TO CONNECT PARTNERS IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT, OTHER NON-PROFITS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS TO ENSURE A STRONG MIXED DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR FAMILIES ACCESSING OTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES. CHILD CARE RESOURCE SERVICES- WE MAINTAIN A DATABASE WITH UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT ALL LICENSED CHILD CARE PROGRAMS IN LARIMER COUNTY, AND TRACK AND ANALYZE DATA ABOUT AVAILABLE LICENSED CHILD CARE IN OUR COMMUNITY. TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF LICENSED CHILD CARE IN LARIMER COUNTY, WE PROVIDE SUPPORT, NAVIGATION AND FUNDING TO NEW AND EMERGING CHILD CARE CENTERS AND FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES.
  5. UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL (UP)- OUR ROLE IS SUPPORTING BOTH FAMILIES IN ACCESSING AVAILABLE SPOTS AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES, AND CHILD CARE PROGRAMS IN PARTICIPATING IN THE UP PROGRAM INCLUDING ENROLLMENT, CURRICULUM, AND QUALITY INITIATIVES. AS THE LCO, WE ALSO WORK TO CONNECT PARTNERS IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT, OTHER NON-PROFITS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS TO ENSURE A STRONG MIXED DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR FAMILIES ACCESSING OTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES. CHILD CARE RESOURCE SERVICES- WE MAINTAIN A DATABASE WITH UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT ALL LICENSED CHILD CARE PROGRAMS IN LARIMER COUNTY, AND TRACK AND ANALYZE DATA ABOUT AVAILABLE LICENSED CHILD CARE IN OUR COMMUNITY. TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF LICENSED CHILD CARE IN LARIMER COUNTY, WE PROVIDE SUPPORT, NAVIGATION AND FUNDING TO NEW AND EMERGING CHILD CARE CENTERS AND FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.