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Family & Childrens Service of Greater Lynn Inc

EIN 04-2235959 · Lynn, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 45% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO STRENGTHEN THE LIFE SKILLS OF FAMILIES, CHILDREN, AND INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A RANGE OF PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS OFFERED DIRECTLY OR IN COLLABORATION WITH THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
45%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 60%
Employees
43
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$91,789, executive director a/o 5/24

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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    45% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 34 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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. $311,048 spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD - EARLY CHILDHOOD AND PARENTING SUPPORT PROGRAMS ARE GEARED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF IMMIGRANT AND MINORITY FAMILIES. PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE AND FOCUS ON EARLY LITERACY AND HEALTHY CHILD DEVELOPMENT. F&CS (DBA: LIFESCENE) OFFERS A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES GEARED TOWARDS CHILDREN AGE 0 TO 6 AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD RESOURCE CENTER. IN ADDITION, PARENTING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS WORK TO ENSURE THAT FAMILIES HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO NURTURE HEALTHY CHILD DEVELOPMENT.
  2. $309,928 spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - F&CS (DBA: LIFESCENE) SERVES AT RISK AND HIGH-RISK YOUTH THROUGH SEVERAL PROGRAMS WHICH PROVIDE RECREATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL AND ASSET-BUILDING ACTIVITIES. SERVICES ARE OFFERED BOTH ON-SITE AND THROUGH THE LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CONNECT TARGETED YOUTH WITH POSITIVE PEER ROLE MODELS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE: PROJECT SUCCESS, WHICH OFFERS YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS' WORKFORCE AND CAREER EDUCATION EXPERIENCES TO HELP BUILD THEIR CAREER AND LIFE SKILLS, AND PROVIDES YOUTH, AGES 1422, WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT AND EXPLORE A VARIETY OF POTENTIAL JOB AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES; AND DPH-PREP PREGNANCY PREVENTION INITIATIVES AND CASE MANAGEMENT FOR HIGH-RISK YOUTH AGES 16-24 UNDER THE LYNN COMMUNITY SAFETY INITIATIVE (SHANNON). YOUTH PROGRAMS USE A CURRICULUM APPROACH TO WELLNESS AND SEEK TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF OUR MINORITY COMMUNITY, WITH A SPECIFIC EMPHASIS ON REDUCING THE INCIDENCE OF EARLY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR, DRUG OR ALCOHOL USE, AND OTHER ANTISOCIAL OR CAPACITY-LIMITING BEHAVIOR.
  3. $3,497 spent. ELDERLY SERVICES - THE ELDER CARE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SERVES FRAIL ELDERS WHOSE CAREGIVERS ARE UNABLE TO MANAGE THEIR AFFAIRS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES GUARDIANSHIP THROUGH FIDUCIARY, CASE MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO ELDERS REFERRED BY THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ELDER AFFAIRS (EOEA). THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ENSURE THAT EACH WARD (1) IS IN A SAFE AND PROTECTED SITUATION/ENVIRONMENT, (2) HAS HIS OR HER INITIAL FINANCIAL NEEDS MET, (3) HAS HIS OR HER LEGAL RIGHTS ADVOCATED, (4) HAS RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE SAFE AND SECURE, AND (5) WILL HAVE HIS OR HER MONEY APPROPRIATELY USED FOR THEMSELVES.

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 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 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 March 1961.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Family & Childrens Service Inc (Tulsa, OK), EIN 73-0580270. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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