Cayuga Home for Children
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO HELP CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO GROW AS INDEPENDENT, HEALTHY, AND PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS THROUGH QUALITY COUNSELING, RESIDENTIAL, AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
- Income
- $120.3 million
- Spending
- $145.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- -0.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 65%
- Employees
- 1,487
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $756,557, previous president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 20 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 111% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, 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 2520 of 20 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, 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 (4)
- $78.5 million spent. THE UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN'S PROGRAM IS OPERATED UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE FEDERAL OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT (ORR). THE PROGRAM OPERATED UP TO 400 AND 500 TRANSITIONAL FOSTER CARE BEDS FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN WHO ARE IN FEDERAL CUSTODY FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024 AND 2023, RESPECTIVELY. TYPICALLY, YOUTH ARE IN THIS PROGRAM FOR 14 TO 60 DAYS, DURING WHICH TIME THEY RECEIVE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS, ASSESSMENTS AND CARE, TUTORING, AND SKILLS TRAINING. IN ADDITION, CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES ARRANGE FOR THE CHILDREN TO BE RELEASED TO SPONSORS BY FINDING AND QUALIFYING SPONSORS. THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINED A 35 BED LONG-TERM FOSTER CARE THROUGH THE UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN'S PROGRAM THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2023. THE PROGRAM WAS BASED IN NEW YORK CITY. FIXED COSTS (E.G. RENTS), WHICH ARE CONTAINED IN THE APPROVED BUDGET, ARE FULLY FUNDED BY ORR. STAFFING COSTS, WHICH ARE RATIO BASED ON CONTRACTED CAPACITY, ARE FULLY FUNDED BY ORR. CENSUS BASED COSTS (FOSTER PARENT PAYMENTS, CLOTHING, AND FOOD), WHICH ARE CONTAINED IN THE APPROVED BUDGET, ARE FULLY FUNDED BY ORR. THE ORGANIZATION WAS AWARDED A THIRD FEDERAL CONTRACT CALLED HOME STUDIES AND POST RELEASE SERVICES FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN IN DECEMBER OF 2020. THE PROGRAM HAS SIX OFFICES ACROSS THE NATION SERVING AND PROVIDING TRAUMA-INFORMED AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SERVICES TO MIGRANT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES SERVICES TO FAMILIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES VIA IN PERSON HOME VISITS, AS WELL AS VIRTUAL HOME VISITS. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO GUARANTEE THE LONG-TERM SAFETY, SUCCESS, AND WELL-BEING OF UNACCOMPANIED MIGRANT CHILDREN (UMC) PRIOR, DURING, AND AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM THE ORR TO PARENTS OR SPONSORS.
- $22.1 million spent. THE TFFC PROGRAM PLACES AT-RISK YOUTH INTO HOMES WITH HIGHLY TRAINED AND MOTIVATED FOSTER FAMILIES. THIS IS A COST EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO GROUP OR RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, INCARCERATION, OR HOSPITALIZATION. THIS PROGRAM IS ESPECIALLY BENEFICIAL FOR ADOLESCENTS WHO ARE PARTICULARLY CHALLENGED BY A GROUP SETTING. CAYUGA CENTERS OPERATES TFFC IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS. TFFC PROGRAMMING IS BASED IN CENTRAL NEW YORK AND ACCEPTS YOUTH PLACED BY COUNTY DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES. ENHANCED FAMILY FOSTER CARE (EFFC) IS IN THE BRONX, NEW YORK AND ACCEPTS YOUTH PLACED BY NEW YORK CITY'S ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES. BOTH OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE LICENSED BY THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES.IN APRIL 2015, CAYUGA CENTERS BEGAN OPERATING A TFFC PROGRAM IN PALM BEACH AND BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA. THIS TFFC PROGRAM IS UNDER CONTRACT WITH CHILDNET, ONE OF THE COUNTY'S CHILD WELFARE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES. IN JANUARY 2016, CAYUGA CENTERS OPENED A TFFC PROGRAM IN NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE LICENSED BY THE STATE OF DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES. LOCATED IN PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA, IN JULY OF 2021, CAYUGA CENTERS CONTRACTED WITH CCKIDS, ANOTHER ONE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA'S CHILD PLACING AGENCIES. LASTLY, IN JULY 2021, CAYUGA CENTERS, UNDER LICENSE WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL OF CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES, BEGAN OPERATING A TFFC PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
- $18.7 million spent. HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT AND SUPPORT INTERVENTIONS CONSIST OF HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE NEED FOR COUNTIES TO REMOVE CHILDREN AND PLACE THEM IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE. HCBTS CORE PROGRAMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: THE FAMILY RESILIENCY PROGRAMS ARE FAMILY STRENGTHENING PROGRAMS WITH A SUCCESSFUL TRACK RECORD OF HELPING FAMILIES REMAIN INTACT. THESE PROGRAMS OFFER A VARIETY OF HOME-BASED AND SUPPORTIVE PROGRAMS IN CAYUGA AND ONTARIO COUNTIES UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. PROGRAMS OFFERED UNDER THE FAMILY RESILIENCY UMBRELLA INCLUDE FAMILY SUPPORT, FAMILY PRESERVATION, SAFECARE, DIVERSION CASE MANAGEMENT, AND RESTORATIVE CASE MANAGEMENT.THE FUNCTIONAL FAMILY THERAPY (FFT) PROGRAM OFFERS HOME-BASED FAMILY THERAPY SERVICES TO FAMILIES WITH AT-RISK CHILDREN 11-18 YEARS OF AGE. IT IS A THREE PHASE, OUTCOME DRIVEN, PREVENTION/INTERVENTION MODEL FOR YOUTH WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE ENTIRE RANGE OF MALADAPTIVE ACTING OUT BEHAVIOR AND/OR RELATED SYNDROMES. THIS PROGRAM OPERATES IN CAYUGA, ALBANY, ONTARIO, MONROE, ONEIDA, AND OSWEGO COUNTY UNDER CONTRACTS WITH THE COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. SERVICES ARE ALSO PROVIDED IN MONROE COUNTY FOR YOUTH DISCHARGED FROM STATE FACILITIES UNDER A CONTRACT WITH THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES ("OCFS"). AS CITED BY THE UNITED STATES SURGEON GENERAL AND IN OTHER STUDIES, THIS IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM. THE MULTISYSTEMIC THERAPY (MST) PROGRAM ASSISTS YOUTH AT IMMINENT RISK OF OUT OF HOME PLACEMENT TO STAY WITH THEIR FAMILIES. BY CLOSELY EXAMINING THE SITUATION FROM ALL ANGLES, THE THERAPIST THEN HELPS TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN THOSE WITH THE MOST DIRECT INFLUENCE ON THE YOUTH (FAMILY, PEERS, SCHOOL, ETC.) WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING THE YOUTH TO CHANGE HIS OR HER PROBLEM BEHAVIORS. THIS PROGRAM IS OPERATING IN CAYUGA, ONTARIO, MONROE, ONEIDA, AND ONONDAGA COUNTY UNDER CONTRACTS WITH EACH COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. SERVICES ARE ALSO PROVIDED IN ONEIDA COUNTY FOR YOUTH DISCHARGED FROM STATE FACILITIES UNDER A CONTRACT WITH THE OCFS. AS CITED BY THE UNITED STATES SURGEON GENERAL AND IN OTHER STUDIES, THIS IS AN EVIDENCEBASED PROGRAM.
- $2.6 million spent. ROOM, BOARD, CARE AND SUPERVISION FOR CHILDREN PLACED IN THE FACILITY BY VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 2024.
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 May 1943.
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.
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.