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Childrens Initiative Inc

EIN 20-5106747 · Portland, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND SERVICES TO POOR, RURAL VILLAGES IN ASIA AND AFRICA. THE ACTIVITIES ARE DEDICATED AND FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THE CURRENT AND FUTURE STANDARDS OF LIVING FOR THE CHILDREN IN THESE AREAS. SPECIFIC FOCUS INCLUDES SUPPLEMENTING THE INADEQUATE HEALTH AND EDUCATION INFASTRUCTURE IN THESE AREAS.

Income
$141,799
Spending
$122,080
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
22.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
0
Volunteers
6

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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $74,573 spent. HONDURAS IS THE SECOND POOREST COUNTRY IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. FAMILY INCOME AVERAGES ABOUT 500 A YEAR IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WHERE A MAJORITY OF HONDURANS LIVE. THE COUNTRY IS WRACKED BY DRUG WARS, CORRUPTION, VERY HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT, AND A GENERAL LAWLESSNESS THAT PERVADES ALL ASPECTS OF SOCIETY. IT HAS THE HIGHEST PER CAPITA MURDER RATE OF ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. OTHER THAN MULTINATIONAL FOOD COMPANIES AND A GROWING GARMENT INDUSTRY, HONDURAS PRODUCES LITTLE FOR EXPORT. EXACERBATING THE DIRE SITUATION ARE INCREASINGLY INCONSISTENT RAINY SEASONS THAT PUT SUBSISTENCE FARM FAMILIES AT TREMENDOUS RISK. HONDURAS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: BUILT SCHOOL, 7-12 GRADE AS MANY AS 126 STUDENTS IN ANY ONE YEAR, WHERE THERE HAD NEVER BEEN A SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 13 YEARS OF GRADUATIONS UNIFORMS, SHOES, TUITION FOR NEEDIEST STUDENTS REFORESTING WITH 5,500 "CASH" TREES ( MAHOGANY/TEAK) ALL SALES TO BENEFIT SCHOOL COMMUNITY 6,000 COFFEE TREES ( SOCIAL/ FINANCIAL PROFIT) COMMUNITY BUNK HOUSE: COMMUNITY "OFFICE"), GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS FOR VISITORS WATER CATCHMENT PROGRAMS FOR DRINKING WATER AS WELL AS FOR CATTLE. WORK FOR MANY IF THE MOST DISPOSSESSED. COMMUNITY LIBRARY FRUIT ORCHARD FOR COMMUNITY NEW TRUCK PURCHASE FOR "AWAY" STUDENTS TO GET TO SCHOOL, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY USE GENERAL VILLAGE REPAIRS/UPKEEP: ROADS, WIFI, ETC. NUMEROUS "ONE OFFS": SOCCER, MUSIC, DANCE PROGRAMS. PARTNERSHIP WITH CATHOLIC WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION ALLOWING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ACCESS TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD: ACCESS TO FOOD, EDUCATION, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY ERADICATING FEAR OF THE MESTIZO COMMUNITY WRIT LARGE.., INTRODUCTION OF COVER CROPS AND REFURBISHING OF "WORN OUT" SOIL, REBUILDING OF VILLAGE WATER TANKS AS WELL AS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS HONDURAS IS THE SECOND POOREST COUNTRY IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. FAMILY INCOME AVERAGES ABOUT 500 A YEAR IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WHERE A MAJORITY OF HONDURANS LIVE. THE COUNTRY IS WRACKED BY DRUG WARS, CORRUPTION, VERY HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT, AND A GENERAL LAWLESSNESS THAT PERVADES ALL ASPECTS OF SOCIETY. IT HAS THE HIGHEST PER CAPITA MURDER RATE OF ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. OTHER THAN MULTINATIONAL FOOD COMPANIES AND A GROWING GARMENT INDUSTRY, HONDURAS PRODUCES LITTLE FOR EXPORT. EXACERBATING THE DIRE SITUATION ARE INCREASINGLY INCONSISTENT RAINY SEASONS THAT PUT SUBSISTENCE FARM FAMILIES AT TREMENDOUS RISK. HONDURAS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: BUILT SCHOOL, 7-12 GRADE AS MANY AS 126 STUDENTS IN ANY ONE YEAR, WHERE THERE HAD NEVER BEEN A SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 13 YEARS OF GRADUATIONS UNIFORMS, SHOES, TUITION FOR NEEDIEST STUDENTS REFORESTING WITH 5,500 "CASH" TREES ( MAHOGANY/TEAK) ALL SALES TO BENEFIT SCHOOL COMMUNITY 6,000 COFFEE TREES ( SOCIAL/ FINANCIAL PROFIT) COMMUNITY BUNK HOUSE: COMMUNITY "OFFICE"), GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS FOR VISITORS WATER CATCHMENT PROGRAMS FOR DRINKING WATER AS WELL AS FOR CATTLE. WORK FOR MANY IF THE MOST DISPOSSESSED. COMMUNITY LIBRARY FRUIT ORCHARD FOR COMMUNITY NEW TRUCK PURCHASE FOR "AWAY" STUDENTS TO GET TO SCHOOL, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY USE GENERAL VILLAGE REPAIRS/UPKEEP: ROADS, WIFI, ETC. NUMEROUS "ONE OFFS": SOCCER, MUSIC, DANCE PROGRAMS. PARTNERSHIP WITH CATHOLIC WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION ALLOWING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ACCESS TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD: ACCESS TO FOOD, EDUCATION, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY ERADICATING FEAR OF THE MESTIZO COMMUNITY WRIT LARGE.., INTRODUCTION OF COVER CROPS AND REFURBISHING OF "WORN OUT" SOIL, REBUILDING OF VILLAGE WATER TANKS AS WELL AS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
  2. $40,000 spent. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS - HAITI HAITI REMAINS THE POOREST COUNTRY IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE AND AMONG THE POOREST GLOBALLY. IN RECENT YEARS, IT HAS DESCENDED INTO NEAR-TOTAL STATE COLLAPSE, WITH LARGE SWATHS CONTROLLED BY WARRING GANGS. ALTHOUGH INTERNATIONAL AID POURED INTO THE COUNTRY FOLLOWING THE DEVASTATING 2010 EARTHQUAKE, THOSE EFFORTS PROVED LARGELY INEFFECTUAL. TODAY, CIVIL UNREST HAS FORCED MANY NGOS AND VOLUNTEERS TO WITHDRAW ENTIRELY. PHAETON OUR WORK IS CENTERED IN PHAETON, A SMALL VILLAGE OF APPROXIMATELY 3,000 RESIDENTS SITUATED ALONG HAITI'S NORTHEAST COAST. THE COMMUNITY'S REMOTE LOCATION HAS PROVIDED SOME INSULATION FROM THE NATIONAL TURMOIL, YET DAILY LIFE REMAINS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. WITH NO ELECTRICITY, UNRELIABLE ACCESS TO WATER, AND MOST FAMILIES SURVIVING ON LESS THAN ONE DOLLAR PER DAY, THE CHALLENGES ARE IMMENSE. DESPITE THESE HARDSHIPS, OUR ONGOING PROGRAMS HAVE MADE MEASURABLE PROGRESS IN IMPROVING LIVES. PRIORITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS "THE PRIMARY SCHOOL WE ESTABLISHED OFFERS EDUCATION FROM PRE-K THROUGH GRADE 6 AND SERVES A DAILY HOT LUNCH - THE ONLY SUBSTANTIAL MEAL MANY STUDENTS RECEIVE. "A SCHOOL GARDEN SUPPLIES FRESH PRODUCE, WHILE CORN AND BANANA CROPS ARE CULTIVATED BOTH FOR SCHOOL USE AND LOCAL SALE, HELPING THE COMMUNITY GENERATE MODEST INCOME. "WE HAVE OPENED A MEDICAL CLINIC, OPERATED BY A DEDICATED YOUNG HAITIAN DOCTOR, TO MEET ESSENTIAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS FOR PHAETON AND NEARBY VILLAGES. THROUGH EMPOWERMENT, COLLABORATION, AND STEADFAST LOCAL PARTNERSHIP, TCI CONTINUES TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF PHAETON BUILD A MORE STABLE AND HOPEFUL FUTURE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS - HAITI HAITI REMAINS THE POOREST COUNTRY IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE AND AMONG THE POOREST GLOBALLY. IN RECENT YEARS, IT HAS DESCENDED INTO NEAR-TOTAL STATE COLLAPSE, WITH LARGE SWATHS CONTROLLED BY WARRING GANGS. ALTHOUGH INTERNATIONAL AID POURED INTO THE COUNTRY FOLLOWING THE DEVASTATING 2010 EARTHQUAKE, THOSE EFFORTS PROVED LARGELY INEFFECTUAL. TODAY, CIVIL UNREST HAS FORCED MANY NGOS AND VOLUNTEERS TO WITHDRAW ENTIRELY. PHAETON OUR WORK IS CENTERED IN PHAETON, A SMALL VILLAGE OF APPROXIMATELY 3,000 RESIDENTS SITUATED ALONG HAITI'S NORTHEAST COAST. THE COMMUNITY'S REMOTE LOCATION HAS PROVIDED SOME INSULATION FROM THE NATIONAL TURMOIL, YET DAILY LIFE REMAINS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. WITH NO ELECTRICITY, UNRELIABLE ACCESS TO WATER, AND MOST FAMILIES SURVIVING ON LESS THAN ONE DOLLAR PER DAY, THE CHALLENGES ARE IMMENSE. DESPITE THESE HARDSHIPS, OUR ONGOING PROGRAMS HAVE MADE MEASURABLE PROGRESS IN IMPROVING LIVES. PRIORITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS "THE PRIMARY SCHOOL WE ESTABLISHED OFFERS EDUCATION FROM PRE-K THROUGH GRADE 6 AND SERVES A DAILY HOT LUNCH - THE ONLY SUBSTANTIAL MEAL MANY STUDENTS RECEIVE. "A SCHOOL GARDEN SUPPLIES FRESH PRODUCE, WHILE CORN AND BANANA CROPS ARE CULTIVATED BOTH FOR SCHOOL USE AND LOCAL SALE, HELPING THE COMMUNITY GENERATE MODEST INCOME. "WE HAVE OPENED A MEDICAL CLINIC, OPERATED BY A DEDICATED YOUNG HAITIAN DOCTOR, TO MEET ESSENTIAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS FOR PHAETON AND NEARBY VILLAGES. THROUGH EMPOWERMENT, COLLABORATION, AND STEADFAST LOCAL PARTNERSHIP, TCI CONTINUES TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF PHAETON BUILD A MORE STABLE AND HOPEFUL FUTURE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
  3. $593 spent. TO PROVIDE SUPPLIES, SUPPORT, AND TRAVEL FOR PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE.

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 2006.

    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.