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Passes our checks

Berkshire County Head Start Child Development Program Inc

EIN 04-2578986 · Pittsfield, MA

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 ENHANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS BY INSPIRING EACH CHILD'S LOVE OF LEARNING, PARTNERING WITH FAMILIES, ADVOCATING FOR EQUITY, AND FOSTERING A CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY.

Income
$7.4 million
Spending
$6.7 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 97%
Employees
103
Volunteers
26
Highest pay
$152,981, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 31 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $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 February 28, 2026, 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 (2)
  1. $3.6 million spent. HEAD START PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES HALF-DAY PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS FOR THREE AND FOUR YEAR OLD CHILDREN OF LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, AND PROVIDES HOME-BASED SERVICES FOR YOUNG THREE YEAR OLD CHILDREN. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES THAT INCLUDE EDUCATION, HEALTH AND NUTRITION, TRANSPORTATION, PARENT INVOLVEMENT, SOCIAL SERVICES TO SUPPORT SCHOOL READINESS, SPECIAL EDUCATION, AND MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENTS.
  2. $2.7 million spent. CHILDCARE PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES CHILDCARE SERVICES TO CHILDREN 2.9 - 5 YEARS OF AGE OF WORKING PARENTS, PARENTS ATTENDING SCHOOL, PARENTS LOOKING FOR WORK, CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND CHILDREN WHO ARE CONSIDERED "AT RISK". THE PROGRAM IS LICENSED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE AND IS ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC), HAS BEEN SELF-ASSESSED AT LEVEL 111 OF THE QRIS AND FOLLOWS ALL HEAD START PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND THE HEAD START ACT OF 2007.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, 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 February 2026.

    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 November 1975.

    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.