Save the Children Federation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SAVE THE CHILDREN IS AN INTERNATIONAL NONPROFIT CHILDREN'S RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION. OUR MISSION IS TO INSPIRE BREAKTHROUGHS IN THE WAY THE WORLD TREATS CHILDREN AND TO ACHIEVE IMMEDIATE AND LASTING CHANGE IN THEIR LIVES.
- Income
- $920.5 million
- Spending
- $896.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 50%
- Employees
- 1,164
- Volunteers
- 38
- Highest pay
- $649,348, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (international, over $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 35% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (international, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2531 of 33 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (9)
- $235.0 million spent. HEALTH & NUTRITION: AS LEADERS IN GLOBAL HEALTH, SAVE THE CHILDREN HAS LONG BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF WORLDWIDE EFFORTS TO END PREVENTABLE CHILD DEATHS. THROUGH INNOVATIONS IN PROGRAMMING AND WITH THE HELP OF OUR LOCAL PARTNERS, WE HAVE HELPED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN DYING BEFORE AGE 5 BY OVER HALF SINCE 1990. SAVE THE CHILDREN'S TEAMS SAVE LIVES AND BUILD HEALTHIER FUTURES BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER, SANITATION, AND MEDICAL CARE FOR INJURIES, ILLNESSES, AND NUTRITION-RELATED CONDITIONS. THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS, SAVE THE CHILDREN STRENGTHENS HEALTH SYSTEMS, EXPANDS ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES, AND ADVOCATES FOR POLICIES THAT PROTECT AND UPLIFT CHILDREN. THIS HOLISTIC APPROACH ENSURES CHILDREN NOT ONLY SURVIVE BUT THRIVE-PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND SOCIALLY.
- $215.6 million spent. CHILD POVERTY: SAVE THE CHILDREN COMBATS POVERTY BY IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE-BASED, CONTEXT-SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS THAT ADDRESS THE SYSTEMIC DRIVERS OF FOOD INSECURITY AND ECONOMIC VULNERABILITY. OUR PROGRAMS SUPPORT SMALLHOLDER FARMERS THROUGH RESILIENT AGRICULTURE AND INCLUSIVE MARKET SYSTEMS, WHILE PROMOTING ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOODS VIA VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. WE STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL INCLUSION THROUGH SAVINGS GROUPS AND ACCESS TO FORMAL FINANCIAL SERVICES. IN CRISIS SITUATIONS, WE PROVIDE TARGETED FOOD ASSISTANCE AND CASH VOUCHERS WHILE BUILDING LONG-TERM RESILIENCE THROUGH DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS. OUR APPROACH IS ROOTED IN CREATING A LASTING IMPACT AND INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING, MAKING US A KEY ACTOR IN BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND HUNGER. SAVE THE CHILDREN WORKS TO ALLEVIATE CHILD POVERTY BY HELPING FAMILIES CREATE STABLE HOME ENVIRONMENTS AND BUILD SECURE LIVELIHOODS. BY ADDRESSING RISKS AND ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, WE REDUCE THE CHANCES OF CHILD ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION. WE EQUIP COMMUNITIES WITH TOOLS, TRAINING, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO BETTER WITHSTAND EXTREME WEATHER. THROUGH STRENGTHENED SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND ADVOCACY FOR CHILD-SENSITIVE POLICIES, WE ENSURE LONG-TERM RESILIENCE AND PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN.
- $173.2 million spent. EDUCATION: SAVE THE CHILDREN WORKS TO HELP CHILDREN EVERYWHERE FULFILL THEIR RIGHT TO A QUALITY EDUCATION. WE ENSURE CHILDREN ARE READY TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL SO THEY CAN SUCCEED IN LIFE THEN WE SUPPORT THEM THROUGH THEIR SCHOOL YEARS SO THEY CAN BUILD THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND CONFIDENCE TO MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR POTENTIAL. IN THE LAST DECADE, SAVE THE CHILDREN HAS WORKED WITH MORE CHILDREN TO MAKE SURE THEY GET A QUALITY EDUCATION THAN ANY OTHER GLOBAL NONPROFIT, HELPING MILLIONS OF CHILDREN FULFILL THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN. GLOBAL EDUCATION RESULTS - SAVE THE CHILDREN WORKS GLOBALLY TO ENSURE CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO SAFE, INCLUSIVE, AND QUALITY EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS AFFECTED BY POVERTY, CONFLICT, AND NATURAL DISASTERS. BY INVESTING IN SCHOOLS, TRAINING TEACHERS, AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES, WE HELP CHILDREN OVERCOME BARRIERS TO LEARNING AND REACH KEY EDUCATIONAL MILESTONES. THROUGH TARGETED PROGRAMS AND ADVOCACY, SAVE THE CHILDREN EMPOWERS CHILDREN WITH THE SKILLS AND OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE. U.S. EDUCATION RESULTS - SAVE THE CHILDREN WORKS TO CLOSE EDUCATION GAPS IN RURAL AMERICA BY PARTNERING WITH UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO EXPAND ACCESS TO EARLY LEARNING, LITERACY, AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT. OUR PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE SCHOOL READINESS, IMPROVE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, AND FOSTER HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT. WE HELP MORE CHILDREN IN RURAL AREAS GET READY FOR KINDERGARTEN THAN ANY OTHER NON-PROFIT, A DISTINCTION THAT REFLECTS BOTH THE SCALE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR EARLY LEARNING INITIATIVES. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS AND ONGOING ADVOCACY, SAVE THE CHILDREN HELPS CHILDREN OVERCOME SYSTEMIC BARRIERS AND BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG SUCCESS.
- $69.9 million spent. CHILD PROTECTION: EVERY CHILD, EVERYWHERE, DESERVES TO GROW UP SAFE AND SUPPORTED. SAVE THE CHILDREN PUTS CHILD PROTECTION AT THE CENTER OF ALL ITS WORK, ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF CRISIS AND CONFLICT, WHEN CHILDREN ARE MOST VULNERABLE. WE LEAD THE WORLD IN PROTECTING CHILDREN IN CONFLICT AND WAR ZONES, IDENTIFYING THEIR NEEDS, ADVOCATING FOR THEIR SAFETY, AND GIVING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY ARE DISPLACED AND ALONE. WE HELPED REDUCE CHILD MARRIAGE WORLDWIDE BY NEARLY ONE-THIRD SINCE 1990 - THAT'S TENS OF MILLIONS MORE GIRLS EMPOWERED TO STAY IN SCHOOL OR TRANSITION TO WORK, AND TO MAKE MARRIAGE AND MOTHERHOOD DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES. GLOBAL CHILD PROTECTION - SAVE THE CHILDREN PROTECTS CHILDREN FROM VIOLENCE, EXPLOITATION, AND ABUSE BY DELIVERING CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN CRISIS-AFFECTED AREAS. WE HELP SURVIVORS HEAL AND REBUILD THEIR LIVES, WHILE ALSO DRIVING POLICY CHANGE TO END HARMFUL PRACTICES LIKE CHILD LABOR, CHILD MARRIAGE AND CORPORAL PUNISHMENT. THROUGH GLOBAL INITIATIVES, SAVE THE CHILDREN IS ALSO WORKING TO MAKE DIGITAL SPACES SAFER AND MORE EQUITABLE FOR ALL CHILDREN.
- $49.4 million spent. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY SUPPORT: OUR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ARE CARRIED OUT WITH THE HELP OF PROGRAMMATIC ROLES AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT FUNCTIONS. THESE MORE GENERAL ROLES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT, OVERSIGHT/MONITORING, AND QUALITY OF OUR PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN. GLOBAL ADVOCACY RESULTS- SAVE THE CHILDREN'S GLOBAL ADVOCACY WORK LEADS TO MEANINGFUL POLICY CHANGE AND STRENGTHENED PROTECTIONS FOR CHILDREN WORLDWIDE. THROUGH SUSTAINED ENGAGEMENT WITH GOVERNMENTS AND PARTNERS, WE ADVANCE LEGISLATION TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN FROM VIOLENCE, PROMOTE INCLUSIVE EDUCATION, AND HELP INTEGRATE CHILD-FOCUSED PRIORITIES INTO ENVIRONMENTAL AND DIGITAL POLICY FRAMEWORKS. OUR EFFORTS ALSO SUPPORT EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE PLANNING, ENSURING CHILDREN'S NEEDS ARE PRIORITIZED BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER CRISES. U.S. ADVOCACY RESULTS - THROUGH LEGISLATIVE OUTREACH, VOTER ENGAGEMENT, AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES, WE HELP SHAPE A MORE EQUITABLE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN NATIONWIDE. WE WORK WITH STUDENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND CONSTITUENTS THROUGH GRASSROOTS AND DIRECT ADVOCACY TO ENSURE CHILDREN CAN SURVIVE, GROW, LEARN, AND THRIVE.
- $3.0 million spent. CHILD RIGHTS GOVERNANCE: SAVE THE CHILDREN WORKED WITH PARTNERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE CHANGES. FEATURES OF LEGISLATION ARE AVAILABLE IN OUR ANNUAL REPORT.
- (Expenses $ 69,915,152 including grants of $ 66,998,599)(Revenue $ 348,611) CHILD PROTECTION: EVERY CHILD, EVERYWHERE, DESERVES TO GROW UP SAFE AND SUPPORTED. SAVE THE CHILDREN PUTS CHILD PROTECTION AT THE CENTER OF ALL ITS WORK, ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF CRISIS AND CONFLICT, WHEN CHILDREN ARE MOST VULNERABLE. WE LEAD THE WORLD IN PROTECTING CHILDREN IN CONFLICT AND WAR ZONES, IDENTIFYING THEIR NEEDS, ADVOCATING FOR THEIR SAFETY, AND GIVING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY ARE DISPLACED AND ALONE. WE HELPED REDUCE CHILD MARRIAGE WORLDWIDE BY NEARLY ONE-THIRD SINCE 1990 - THAT'S TENS OF MILLIONS MORE GIRLS EMPOWERED TO STAY IN SCHOOL OR TRANSITION TO WORK, AND TO MAKE MARRIAGE AND MOTHERHOOD DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES. GLOBAL CHILD PROTECTION - SAVE THE CHILDREN PROTECTS CHILDREN FROM VIOLENCE, EXPLOITATION, AND ABUSE BY DELIVERING CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN CRISIS-AFFECTED AREAS. WE HELP SURVIVORS HEAL AND REBUILD THEIR LIVES, WHILE ALSO DRIVING POLICY CHANGE TO END HARMFUL PRACTICES LIKE CHILD LABOR, CHILD MARRIAGE AND CORPORAL PUNISHMENT. THROUGH GLOBAL INITIATIVES, SAVE THE CHILDREN IS ALSO WORKING TO MAKE DIGITAL SPACES SAFER AND MORE EQUITABLE FOR ALL CHILDREN.
- (Expenses $ 49,360,745 including grants of $ 6,667,778)(Revenue $ 31,680) PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY SUPPORT: OUR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ARE CARRIED OUT WITH THE HELP OF PROGRAMMATIC ROLES AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT FUNCTIONS. THESE MORE GENERAL ROLES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT, OVERSIGHT/MONITORING, AND QUALITY OF OUR PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN. GLOBAL ADVOCACY RESULTS- SAVE THE CHILDREN'S GLOBAL ADVOCACY WORK LEADS TO MEANINGFUL POLICY CHANGE AND STRENGTHENED PROTECTIONS FOR CHILDREN WORLDWIDE. THROUGH SUSTAINED ENGAGEMENT WITH GOVERNMENTS AND PARTNERS, WE ADVANCE LEGISLATION TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN FROM VIOLENCE, PROMOTE INCLUSIVE EDUCATION, AND HELP INTEGRATE CHILD-FOCUSED PRIORITIES INTO ENVIRONMENTAL AND DIGITAL POLICY FRAMEWORKS. OUR EFFORTS ALSO SUPPORT EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE PLANNING, ENSURING CHILDREN'S NEEDS ARE PRIORITIZED BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER CRISES. U.S. ADVOCACY RESULTS - THROUGH LEGISLATIVE OUTREACH, VOTER ENGAGEMENT, AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES, WE HELP SHAPE A MORE EQUITABLE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN NATIONWIDE. WE WORK WITH STUDENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND CONSTITUENTS THROUGH GRASSROOTS AND DIRECT ADVOCACY TO ENSURE CHILDREN CAN SURVIVE, GROW, LEARN, AND THRIVE.
- (Expenses $ 2,971,255 including grants of $ 2,950,036)(Revenue $ 14,016) CHILD RIGHTS GOVERNANCE: SAVE THE CHILDREN WORKED WITH PARTNERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE CHANGES. FEATURES OF LEGISLATION ARE AVAILABLE IN OUR ANNUAL REPORT.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1964.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.
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