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Center for Childrens Advocacy Inc

EIN 06-1489575 · Hartford, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PROMOTE THE LEGAL RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF POOR CHILDREN WHO ARE DEPENDENT FOR THEIR CARE UPON CONNECTICUTS JUDICIAL, CHILD WELFARE,HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, EDUCATION AND JUVENILE SYSTEMS.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
11.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 41%
Employees
29
Highest pay
$151,761, ex officio

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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 (5)
  1. $689,521 spent. THE MEDICAL LEGAL PARTNERSHIP PROJECT PROVIDED LEGAL SERVICES TO 615 LOW-INCOME CHILDREN ACROSS CT ADDRESSING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS SUBSTANDARD HOUSING AND INAPPROPRIATE SERVICES IN SCHOOL SETTINGS. THE PROJECT ALSO PROVIDED 286 LEGAL CONSULTATIONS TO PEDIATRIC PROVIDERS IMPACTING SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN AND MORE THAN 80 TRAINING SESSIONS FOR PARENTS AND PEDIATRIC PROVIDERS CONCERNING RIGHTS OF CHILDREN. THE PROJECTS ADVOCACY ALSO RESULTED IN SYSTEM REFORMS DESIGNED TO PROTECT LOW-INCOME FAMILIES ACROSS CT FROM LOSING UTILITY SERVICES BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY THEIR BILLS.
  2. $407,551 spent. THE CHILD WELFARE PROJECT PROVIDED LEGAL SERVICES TO 81 CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO WERE ALLEGED TO BE ABUSED OR NEGLECTED, ENSURING THEY WERE PLACED IN SAFE, SUPPORTIVE HOMES AND DID NOT LANGUISH IN FOSTER CARE WITHOUT A PLAN FOR PERMANENCY, AND HELPING THEM ACCESS APPROPRIATE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. THE PROJECT ALSO PROVIDED TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND MAINTAINED AN ONLINE LIBRARY OF PLEADINGS TO HELP INCREASE THE KNOWLEDGE AND IMPROVE THE SKILLS OF PRIVATE ATTORNEYS, PRIMARILY SOLO PRACTITIONERS, WHO ARE APPOINTED BY THE COURT TO REPRESENT LOW-INCOME CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN CHILD PROTECTION MATTERS.
  3. $478,258 spent. THE EDUCATION AND JUVENILE JUSTICE PROJECT PROVIDED LEGAL SERVICES TO 211 LOW-INCOME CHILDREN AND YOUTH, HELPING THEM RECEIVE APPROPRIATE SCHOOL SERVICES AND REDUCE NON-SCHOOL PROBLEMS THAT WERE INTERFERING WITH EDUCATION AND INCREASING THEIR RISK OF INVOLVEMENT WITH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. CCA ALSO PROVIDED LEGAL RIGHTS TRAININGS REGARDING REENTRY, AND EDUCATION RIGHTS, TO PROVIDERS AND YOUTH. CCA CONTINUED ITS COLLABORATION WITH STATE AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY PROVIDERS TO IMPLEMENT AN INNOVATIVE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM INSIDE 16 YOUTH FACILITIES.
  4. Program Service Expenses 1,072,691, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 VARIOUS RELATED PROGRAMS TO THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION
  5. TO PROMOTE THE LEGAL RIGHTS AND INTEREST OF POOR CHILDREN

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 October 1997.

    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.

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