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Cardinal Shehan Center Inc

EIN 06-1101081 · Bridgeport, CT

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

TO ENRICH LIVES THROUGH LEARNING BY ENHANCING THE EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW AND MODERATE INCOME YOUTH. TO PROVIDE ATHLETIC, RECREATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES TO INNER-CITY YOUTH AS A MEANS OF DEVELOPING STRONG FAMILY VALUES AND SELF ESTEEM.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
30.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 40%
Employees
69
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$255,478, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 30.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 28 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 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 (4)
  1. $333,672 spent. SUMMER DAY CAMPS CONDUCTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1,022 BRIDGEPORT, CT AREA STUDENTS. THERE WAS A DECREASE IN CAMP ATTENDANCE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. THE NUMBER OF CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED TO FAMILIES WAS LIMITED DUE TO THE DECREASE IN CAMP GRANTS RECEIVED THIS YEAR.
  2. $349,224 spent. VARIOUS BASKETBALL LEAGUES CONDUCTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 534 BRIDGEPORT, CT AREA YOUTH. WE SAW A DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN BITTY BALL BASKETBALL PROGRAM. THE CENTER WILL BOOST ITS MARKETING EFFORTS TO ATTRACT MORE CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE AND TO SEARCH FOR FUNDING TO HELP FAMILIES.
  3. $705,264 spent. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS CONDUCTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1,956 K-12 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM WITHIN THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT AREA. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE LEADERSHIP, TUTORING, ARTS AND CRAFTS, AND VARIOUS ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES (SWIMMING, GOLF, BASKETBALL, TENNIS, JOB TRAINING, CULINARY ARTS). PROGRAM ACTIVITIES HAVE INCREASED IN COMPARISON TO PREVIOUS YEARS DUE TO SERVING MORE CHILDREN AND BUSING CHILDREN FROM SCHOOLS.
  4. $144,791 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE SCHOOL VACATION CAMPS AND OTHER EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

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 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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 June 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 1946.

    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.