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Childrens Oncology Services of Massachusetts Inc

EIN 04-2627411 · Brookline, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SINCE 1979, CHILDREN'S ONCOLOGY SERVICES (FORMERLY THE BOSTON RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE) HAS SERVED AS A HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND THEIR FAMILIES. AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THEIR OVERALL CARE, THE HOUSE PROVIDES ITS GUESTS WITH NO-COST AND CONVENIENT ACCOMODATIONS IN A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE HOME-LIKE SETTING. HERE, CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS FIND COMFORT AND SUPPORT AMONG STAFF, VOLUNTEERS AND OTHER FAMILIES FACING THE LIFE-CHANGING REALITIES OF CHILDHOOD CANCER AND OTHER LIFE-THREATENING HEMATOLOGICAL ILLNESSES.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
43.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
12
Volunteers
137
Highest pay
$149,147, director of development

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 43.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 17 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 December 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. $785,976 spent. CHILDREN'S ONCOLOGY SERVICES (FORMERLY THE BOSTON RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE), LOCATED IN BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS PROVIDES A HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE FACILITY, SERVING UP TO 22 FAMILIES PER NIGHT, INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: A 125-YEAR-OLD VICTORIAN HOUSE WITH 9 BEDROOMS, A KITCHEN, DINING AND LIVING ROOMS, COMPUTER ROOM, PLAYROOM, GAME ROOM, AND LAUNDRY FACILITIES; AND A CARRIAGE HOUSE AND ANNEX WITH 13 STUDIO APARTMENTS - THE FIRST OF THEIR KIND IN THE COUNTRY - THAT PROVIDE A RELATIVELY GERM-FREE HOME FOR YOUNG PATIENTS RECOVERING FROM BONE MARROW OR STEM CELL TRANSPLANTS. THE HOUSE ALSO PROVIDES FAMILITES WITH PARKING, AN OUTDOOR PATIO, PICNIC AREA, AND PLAYGROUND.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 December 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 March 1978.

    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.