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Support Center for Child Advocates

EIN 23-2048664 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SUPPORT CENTER FOR CHILD ADVOCATES, FOUNDED IN 1977, IS THE COUNTRY'S OLDEST AND LARGEST PRO BONO LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY FOR CHILDREN. OUR MISSION IS TO ADVOCATE FOR VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT WITH THE GOAL OF SECURING SAFETY, JUSTICE, WELL-BEING AND A PERMANENT, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERY CHILD.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$5.4 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
15.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 57%
Employees
51
Volunteers
323
Highest pay
$214,882, executive director (til 11/24)

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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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 (1)
  1. $3.9 million spent. CHILD ADVOCATES' COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE INCLUDED TRAINING VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS TO TEAM WITH STAFF SOCIAL WORKERS AND STAFF ATTORNEYS IN THE REPRESENTATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN ALL COURT HEARINGS AND INTERAGENCY MEETINGS. WORKING IN CONCERT, STAFF SOCIAL WORKERS, STAFF ATTORNEYS AND VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS ASSESSED EACH CHILD VICTIM'S SAFETY AND NEEDS BY CONDUCTING HOME VISITS, REVIEWING ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS, AND ARRANGING FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENTS AND SERVICES. THESE CHILD ADVOCATE TEAMS ALSO REPRESENTED CHILDREN WHO WERE VICTIMS OF PROSECUTED CRIMES, ACCOMPANYING AND SUPPORTING CHILD/VICTIMS TO PREPARE FOR COURT AND TO TESTIFY IN PRELIMINARY HEARINGS AND TRIALS OF ALLEGED ABUSERS. CHILD ADVOCATES SERVED AS THE CHILD'S COUNSEL AND GUARDIAN AD LITEM AS LONG FOR AS THE CHILD WAS A PARTY TO DEPENDENCY OR CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, PROVIDING CONTINUING PROTECTION OF RIGHTS, ASSESSMENT, REFERRAL TO SERVICES, AND PROGRESSION TOWARDS PERMANENT NURTURING HOMES. ON AVERAGE, CHILD ADVOCATES REPRESENTS CLIENTS FOR SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 2 YEARS.

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 February 1978.

    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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