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Sterling House Community Center Inc

EIN 06-0665192 · Stratford, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STERLING IS A MULTI-SERVICE COMMUNITY CENTER SERVING MORE THAN 10,000 YOUTH, FAMILIES, ADULTS, AND SENIORS EACH YEAR WITH A VARIETY OF SERVICES THAT BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER INCLUDING: EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, SUMMER CAMP, ATHLETICS, ARTS, ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, FOOD SECURITY SUPPORT, AND MORE. STERLING'S MISSION IS TO CREATE IMPACTFUL AND INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT ENGAGE AND CULTIVATE A THRIVING COMMUNITY.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
-1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 50%
Employees
70
Volunteers
867
Highest pay
$161,461, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    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 June 30, 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 (3)
  1. $483,002 spent. ATHLETICS & GAMES - STERLING HOUSE ATHLETICS PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS AND GAMES TO DEVELOP SKILLS, PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATION. THE PROGRAM ALSO SUPPORTS HEALTHY SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH TEAMWORK, SPORTSMANSHIP, RESPECT FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS. IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO STEP INTO COACHING ROLES, AS THEY GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND LEAD THE NEXT GENERATION OF ATHLETES IN OUR TOWN.
  2. $525,297 spent. PRESCHOOL (YOUTH DEVELOPMENT) - THIS DEPARTMENT HOUSES OUR ACCREDITED PRESCHOOL, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AND SUMMER CAMP. FOR ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS, WE ENCOURAGE PERSONAL GROWTH EMOTIONALLY, INTELLECTUALLY AND PHYSICALLY. OUR YOUTH LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES, ABOUT SHARING, COOPERATION AND THE SKILLS NEEDED TO BOTH LEAD AND FOLLOW. EACH PROGRAM SUPPORTS GOOD LEARNING HABITS AND PREPARATION FOR FORMAL EDUCATION IN ADDITION TO A SENSE OF THE GREATER COMMUNITY AND THEIR PLACE WITHIN IT.
  3. $562,415 spent. DAY-CAMP - FROM 4 YEAR OLDS THROUGH TEENAGERS, OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT WHERE CAMPERS CAN HAVE FUN AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES WHILE MAKING NEW FRIENDS AND DISCOVERING THE WORLD AROUND THEM. IT IS A TRADITIONAL OUTDOOR CAMP WITH ARTS AND CRAFTS, SWIMMING, PLAYGROUND TIME, AND ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES ENCOURAGING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT. THE COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING AND JR. COUNSELOR PROGRAMS ALSO SUPPORT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN OUR HIGH SCHOOL AGED YOUTH.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 March 1943.

    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.