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Open Center for Children Inc

EIN 04-2505196 · Somerville, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong91 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SINCE 1972, THE OPEN CENTER FOR CHILDREN HAS WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FAMILIES TO CREATE A NURTURING EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE EXPERIENCE. THE PLAY-BASED CURRICULUM INSPIRES CHILDREN TO BECOME MOTIVATED, SELF-DIRECTED LEARNERS, FEEL COMPETENT IN THEIR SKILLS AND ABILITIES, EXPRESS THEIR CREATIVITY AND DEVELOP TRUSTING, RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PEOPLE. THE OPEN CENTER EXPERIENCE HELPS CHILDREN DEVELOP THE TOOLS NECESSARY FOR LIVING IN A DIVERSE WORLD BY APPRECIATING DIFFERENCES AND BEING ABLE TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS PEACEFULLY.

Income
$898,883
Spending
$870,713
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
12.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
16
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$89,391, director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 91 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 (1)
  1. $756,083 spent. OPEN CENTER FOR CHILDREN PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICES TO CHILDREN FROM THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. OPEN CENTER IS LICENSED BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (THE COMMONWEALTH"), DEPARTMENT OF EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE ("DEEC"), TO PROVIDE GROUP CHILD CARE FOR UP TO 29 CHILDREN, AGES 2 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 February 1973.

    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.