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Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children

EIN 13-1834590 · New York, NY

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 SPENCE-CHAPIN IS TO HELP FIND LOVING FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN WHATEVER THEIR NEEDS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AND PROVIDE COUNSELING AND SUPPORT FOR ALL CHILDREN AND THE FAMILIES TO WHOM THEY HAVE BEEN BORN OR ENTRUSTED.

Income
$11.1 million
Spending
$11.8 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
54 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 43%
Employees
65
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$366,414, ceo

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 85% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 54.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 79% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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. $5.2 million spent. ADOPTION PROGRAMS:DOMESTIC ADOPTION PROGRAM: WE FIND FAMILIES FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN DOMESTICALLY. WE PREPARE FAMILIES FOR ADOPTION THROUGH TRAININGS, COUNSELING, AND SUPPORT PRIOR TO AND AFTER PLACEMENT. SERVICES FOR BIRTH AND EXPECTANT WOMEN AND FAMILIES: WE PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE OPTIONS COUNSELING TO WOMEN AND THEIR PARTNERS WHO ARE CONTEMPLATING AN ADOPTION BEFORE OR AFTER BIRTH. SPENCE-CHAPIN PROVIDES THE OPTION OF INTERIM CARE FOR THE BABY AND PROVIDES ALL SUPPLIES AND MEDICAL VISITS. FOR WOMEN WHO CHOOSE ADOPTION, SPENCE-CHAPIN OFFERS THEM COUNSELING AND SUPPORT PRE AND POST PLACEMENT AND AT ANY TIME THEREAFTER. THIS INCLUDES FREE INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE OINTERNATIONAL ADOPTION: WE FIND FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN FROM MULTIPLE COUNTRIES (SOUTH AFRICA, COLOMBIA, JAMAICA, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, DOMINICA, GRENADA, SAINT LUCIA, AND SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES), AND PROVIDE TRAINING, SUPPORT, AND ONGOING SERVICES TO THE FAMILY AND THE CHILD.SPECIAL NEEDS ADOPTION: WE PLACE CHILDREN WITH SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL CHALLENGES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RARE GENETIC DISORDERS, CHRONIC PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO DRUG AND ALCOHOL. WE PROVIDE EXTENSIVE EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO POTENTIAL FAMILIES ABOUT EACH CHILD'S SPECIFIC NEEDS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE PREPARED FOR THE CHALLENGES OF PARENTING CHILDREN WHO HAVE COMPLEX MEDICAL HISTORIES/DIAGNOSES.
  2. $1.8 million spent. GRANNY AND GRANNY RELATED PROGRAMS:THE AGENCY ALSO HAS A THRIVING GRANNY PROGRAM OVERSEAS, WHERE WE ENSURE CHILDREN LIVING IN ORPHANAGES RECEIVE THE LOVE AND ATTENTION OF A DEDICATED PRIMARY CAREGIVER, A "GRANNY." THE RECRUITED GRANNIES PROVIDE ACTIVITIES THAT NURTURE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN RESIDING IN ORPHANAGES.
  3. $1.3 million spent. CLINICAL SERVICES:THERAPY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS: WE PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT AND THERAPY TO ALL INDIVIDUALS CONNECTED TO ADOPTION. WE BUILD COMMUNITY AND AWARENESS THROUGH SOCIAL AND THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ENGAGEMENTS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS CONNECTED TO ADOPTION. COUNSELING AND COMMUNITY: WE PROVIDE SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND COUNSELING TO ADOPTIVE FAMILIES, ADOPTEES, AND BIRTH PARENTS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, GROUPS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT GROUPS. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE OPOST-ADOPTION SERVICES: WE PROVIDE PERSONAL ADOPTION HISTORIES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO MEET THE CRITERIA TO RECEIVE NON-IDENTIFYING INFORMATION UNDER THE APPLICABLE STATE LAW. WE OFFER CLINICAL SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUAL(S) WHO ARE CONTEMPLATING OR HAVE BEEN IN REUNION WITH THEIR BIRTH FAMILY.
  4. $591,544 spent. POST ADOPTION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FOSTER CARE FAMILIES.

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 October 13, 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 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 December 1968.

    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 October 21, 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.