The Childrens Aid Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CHILDREN'S AID HELPS CHILDREN IN POVERTY TO SUCCEED AND THRIVE. WE DO THIS BY PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTS TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN TARGETED, HIGH-NEEDS NEW YORK CITY NEIGHBORHOODS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)CONTINUATION OF ORGANIZATION'S MISSION:WE BELIEVE ALL CHILDREN HAVE LIMITLESS POTENTIAL. BUT FOR THOSE GROWING UP SURROUNDED BY POVERTY, FAMILY INSTABILITY, AND PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL STRESS, LIFE IS TOO OFTEN ABOUT SURVIVAL, NOT POSSIBILITY. IT'S UNACCEPTABLE THAT IN NEW YORK, A CITY OF HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY, SO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN FACE SERIOUS BARRIERS TO REALIZING THEIR OWN PROMISE.CHILDREN'S AID IS A PROFESSIONAL POWERHOUSE OF SOLUTIONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. WE ARE TEACHERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS, COACHES AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. WE KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO ENSURE CHILDREN GROW UP STRONG AND HEALTHY, AND READY TO THRIVE IN SCHOOL AND LIFE: EXCELLENT EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND STRONG, STABLE FAMILIES.
- Income
- $222.4 million
- Spending
- $188.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 18.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 63%
- Employees
- 2,353
- Volunteers
- 250
- Highest pay
- $613,669, president/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
Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 97% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 34% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2527 of 27 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 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)
- $73.4 million spent. THE CHILD WELFARE AND FAMILY SERVICES ("CWFS") DIVISION PROMOTES CHILD AND FAMILY STABILITY THROUGH A RANGE OF PROGRAMS. WE FIND HIGH-QUALITY, LOVING HOMES FOR CHILDREN PLACED IN FOSTER CARE AND SUPPORT PARENTS SEEKING TO REUNIFY WITH THEIR CHILDREN. HOME-BASED SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR CHILDREN AT RISK OF FOSTER CARE PLACEMENT. OUR FAMILY WELLNESS PROGRAM OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO FAMILIES IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)CHILD WELFARE AND FAMILY SERVICES (CONTINUED)CWFS IS THE HOME FOR OUR PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS, FOSTER CARE SERVICES, AND HOMEMAKER SERVICES, IN ADDITION TO OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR DISCONNECTED YOUTH. THE NEXT GENERATION CENTER SUPPORTS TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE, IN THEIR TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD. THE DIVISION SERVED 4,348 CHILDREN AND 2,244 FAMILIES LAST FISCAL YEAR. EXAMPLES OF OUR SUCCESS DURING THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR, 59 FOSTER YOUTH ENROLLED IN COLLEGE AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING 8 FRESHMEN. FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2024-2025, 7 STUDENTS GRADUATED COLLEGE/GRADUATE PROGRAMS. WE HAD A STUDENT RETENTION RATE OF 93% FOR THE YEAR.
- $38.4 million spent. THE YOUTH DIVISION FOCUSES ON AGES 5 TO ADOLESCENCE/YOUNG ADULT AND PROMOTES PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AS KEY FACTORS FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND COLLEGE SUCCESS. YOUTH PROGRAMS OPERATE IN CHILDREN'S AID LOCATIONS AND IN FULL-SERVICE COMMUNITY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS, AND ENGAGE CHILDREN, FAMILIES, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH AN INTEGRATED FOCUS ON ACADEMICS, SERVICES, SUPPORTS, AND OPPORTUNITIES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) YOUTH (CONTINUED)CORE SERVICES INCLUDE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN CHILDREN'S AID COMMUNITY CENTERS AND SCHOOLS, SUMMER CAMPS, ATHLETIC PROGRAMMING, AND THROUGH THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, WHICH PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOP THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL MODEL NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. WE SERVED 10,777 YOUTH ACROSS THE YOUTH DIVISION DURING FY25.OUR OLDER YOUTH SERVICES INCLUDE THE CARRERA-ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY PREVENTION PROGRAM, WHICH MEETS THE TOP-TIER EVIDENCE OF EFFECTIVENESS STANDARDS BY THE COALITION FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY. SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE THE COLLEGE AND CAREER ACCESS AND SUCCESS PROGRAM PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE MAKE POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS (COLLEGE AND/OR CAREER) ATTAINABLE, THE HOPE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, WHICH PROVIDES WRAP-AROUND SUPPORTS AND DEVELOPS LEADERSHIP THROUGH A PEER EDUCATION MODEL, AND TEEN EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, SUCH AS SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM AND CORPORATE INTERNSHIPS. DURING THE 24-25 SCHOOL YEAR, ACROSS ALL 5 OF OUR CENTERS AND 15 OF OUR K-8 COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, WE SCREENED 2,682 STUDENTS USING A VALIDATED SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING INSTRUMENT, THE DESSA-MINI. WE ALSO SCREENED YOUTH FOUND BY THE MINI TO BE IN THE "NEED FOR INSTRUCTION" CATEGORY WITH THE FULL DESSA. BY THE SPRING, 89% DEMONSTRATED "TYPICAL OR STRONG SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS", 5-PERCENTAGE POINTS OVER NATIONAL NORMS. 59% OF YOUTH IN "NEED FOR INSTRUCTION" IMPROVED TO "TYPICAL OR STRENGTH BY THE SPRING AND 78% INCREASED THEIR SCORE. 287 MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH IN OUR CENTERS AND SELECT YOUTH IN OUR HIGH SCHOOLS COMPLETED THE DESSA STUDENT SELF REPORT. BY SPRING, 72% DEMONSTRATED "TYPICAL OR STRONG SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS", A 5-PERCENTAGE POINT INCREASE FROM THE FALL. IN OUR HIGH SCHOOLS, 100% OF OUR COHORT 2025 GRADUATES HAD A POST-SECONDARY PLAN AND 100% OF YOUTH WHOSE PLAN INCLUDES ATTENDING COLLEGE APPLIED AND WERE ACCEPTED TO AT LEAST ONE COLLEGE.WE SUPPORT YOUTH THROUGH PROGRAMS AT 19 COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, FIVE COMMUNITY CENTERS, OUR WAGON ROAD RESPITE CAMP IN CHAPPAQUA, NEW YORK AND A RANGE OF COLLEGE AND CAREER SERVICES FOR YOUTH AGED 18 TO 22. THE YOUTH DIVISION ALSO PROVIDES MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE CHILDREN'S AID COLLEGE PREP CHARTER SCHOOL, A K-8 CHARTER SCHOOL WITH APPROXIMATELY 600 ENROLLED SCHOLARS.
- $24.3 million spent. THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS DIVISION PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY SERVICES THAT REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITIES AMONG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES LIVING IN POVERTY, INCLUDING COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL, MENTAL HEALTH, AND DENTAL SERVICES DELIVERED BY PEDIATRICIANS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, PSYCHIATRISTS, DENTISTS, HEALTH EDUCATORS, MEDICAL ASSISTANTS, AND OTHER SUPPORT STAFF. SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS ALSO PROVIDE CARE COORDINATION AND EDUCATE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF HEALTHY LIVING THROUGH DIET, NUTRITION, AND EXERCISE. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)HEALTH AND WELLNESS (CONTINUED)WHEN MEDICAL CARE IS CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE, MORE CHILDREN LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES. CHILDREN'S AID PROVIDES MEDICAL, REPRODUCTIVE, MENTAL HEALTH, DENTAL, AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES IN SIX SCHOOL-BASED AND TWO COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH CENTERS. IN FY25, THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS DIVISION SERVED 7,234 UNIQUE PATIENTS DURING 53,671 TOTAL VISITS. HEALTH SERVICES ARE TAILORED TO MEET THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS, AND THE DIVISION SPECIALIZES IN PROVIDING HEALTH CARE TO CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE.AN EXAMPLE OF THE DIVISION'S SPECIFIC IMPACT IS THAT IN FY25, WE DISTRIBUTED 6,359 FOOD BOXES; CONDUCTED 610 NUTRITION WORKSHOPS ACROSS 15 CHILDREN'S AID SITES; REACHED 1,942 COMMUNITY MEMBERS INCLUDING CHILDREN, SENIORS AND WORKING FAMILIES-THROUGH OUR SNAP-ED PROGRAM.
- $16.0 million spent. EARLY CHILDHOODTHE EARLY CHILDHOOD DIVISION PREPARES YOUNG CHILDREN (AGES 0 TO 5) FOR SCHOOL SUCCESS BY WORKING WITH FAMILIES TO ADVANCE CHILDREN'S PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND TO INSTILL IN THEM A LIFELONG LOVE OF LEARNING. CORE SERVICES INCLUDE HOME-BASED AND CENTER-BASED PROGRAMS THAT FEATURE RESEARCH-BASED CURRICULA, LOW CHILD-TO-TEACHER RATIOS, AND STRONG PARENT ENGAGEMENT. OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD DIVISION HAS 9 EARLY CHILDHOOD SITES SERVING 675 CHILDREN. AT THE END OF LAST SCHOOL YEAR (2024-2025): CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS MADE STRONG DEVELOPMENTAL GAINS ACROSS ALL DOMAINS. THERE WAS A 23-PERCENTAGE POINT INCREASE IN THE PROPORTION OF CHILDREN MEETING OR EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS. 80% OF OUR TYPICALLY DEVELOPING CHILDREN WERE 'MEETING OR 'EXCEEDING' EXPECTATIONS ACROSS ALL DOMAINS.COLLECTIVE IMPACT & THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOLSTHE NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS OFFERS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN ALL ASPECTS OF DESIGNING, IMPLEMENTING, AND SUSTAINING COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS AND STRENGTHS OF INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES. SERVICES ARE TARGETED TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS, SCHOOL BOARD AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS, FUNDERS, EDUCATION REFORM LEADERS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHERS THROUGH FACILITATED PLANNING, CONSULTATION, WORKSHOPS AND ONGOING SUPPORT.SINCE 1994, THE NATIONAL CENTER HAS PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO MANY OF THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL INITIATIVES. VIA CUSTOMIZED TRAINING, CONSULTATION, FACILITATION, PUBLICATIONS, AND ADVOCACY, WE HELP BUILD THE CAPACITY OF SCHOOLS, DISTRICTS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO ORGANIZE THEIR HUMAN AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES AROUND STUDENT SUCCESS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1920.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.
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