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Cradles to Crayons Inc

EIN 04-3584367 · Newton, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CRADLES TO CRAYONS PROVIDES CHILDREN FROM BIRTH THROUGH AGE 12, LIVING IN HOMELESS OR LOW-INCOME SITUATIONS, WITH THE ESSENTIAL ITEMS THEY NEED TO THRIVE AT HOME, AT SCHOOL AND AT PLAY. WE SUPPLY THESE ITEMS FREE OF CHARGE BY ENGAGING AND CONNECTING COMMUNITIES.

Income
$48.9 million
Spending
$50.5 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
127
Volunteers
54,143
Highest pay
$334,776, ceo (until 2/2025)

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

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 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

    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 March 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. $45.1 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION EXECUTES ITS MISSION BY MOBILIZING WIDESPREAD COMMUNITY AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION. AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL, THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS WITH SCHOOLS, CORPORATIONS, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS TO CONDUCT DRIVES FOR CHILDREN'S GOODS AND TO OBTAIN VOLUNTEERS IN ITS WAREHOUSE. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS WITH A NETWORK OF DIVERSE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES THAT ORDER AND DISTRIBUTE THE ORGANIZATION'S PACKAGES TO INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN RECEIVING SERVICES FROM THOSE AGENCIES. BY INVOLVING INDIVIDUALS AND LOCAL PRIVATE, NOT-FOR-PROFIT, AND PUBLIC-SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS IN ITS MISSION, THE ORGANIZATION IS ABLE TO ADDRESS THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN, BUILD LONG-TERM COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP OF THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION, AND RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE CRITICAL ISSUES OF POVERTY, HOMELESSNESS AND CLOTHING INSECURITY. FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2024, THE ORGANIZATION PROCURED AND DISTRIBUTED 77,586 HYGIENE KITS, 8,826,850 DIAPERS AND 98,984 WINTER COATS, AND CLOTHING TO PROVIDE A WEEK'S WORTH OF OUTFITS TO 100,906 KIDS, AMONG OTHER ESSENTIAL NEEDS TO CHILDREN LIVING IN LOW-INCOME OR HOMELESS SITUATIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS, PENNSYLVANIA AND ILLINOIS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.