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Canterbury Childrens Center Canterbury School

EIN 04-2716287 · Wakefield, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair60 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CANTERBURY CHILDREN'S CENTER, ESTABLISHED BY THE EMMANUEL PARISH, IS A MULTI-SERVICE, NON-PROFIT, NON-DENOMINATIONAL PROGRAM COMMITTED TO SERVING THE DIVERSE AND INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN STARTING AT THE AGE OF 2.9 YEARS. CANTERBURY DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, OR IN EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES ON THE BASIS OF FAMILY STRUCTURE, SOCIOECONOMICS, DISABILITES, RACE, RELIGION, AGE, CULTURAL HERITAGE, POLITICAL BELIEFS, SEX, MARTIAL STATUS, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION. THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CANTERBURY CHILDREN'S CENTER IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY CHILDCARE IN A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT THAT HELPS FOSTER THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN. CANTERBURY'S GOAL IS TO CREATE A DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PROGRAM, WHICH MEETS THE INDIVIDUALS NEEDS OF EACH CHILD AS WELL AS THOSE OF THE GROUP. CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH THEIR PLAY, SO THEIR EXPERIENCES AT THE CENTER SHOULD BE JOYFUL AND FUN. CANTERBURY OFFERS A WELL-BALANCED APPROACH MEETING THE SOCIAL, EM

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
17.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 82%
Employees
30
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$83,188, admin direct

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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. $1.0 million spent. BY CARRYING OUT THE ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE THE CHILDREN RECEIVE SERVICES THAT DEVELOP THEIR SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL AND INTELLECTUAL SKILLS.

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 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 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 January 1984.

    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.