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Passes our checks

First Up

EIN 23-6438144 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE EMPOWER AND EQUIP EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS, FAMILIES, AND OTHER ADULTS INFLUENTIAL IN YOUNG CHILDREN'S LIVES THROUGH TRAINING, COACHING AND ADVOCATING TO POSITIVELY IMPACT EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$5.3 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
9.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
40
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$168,999, executive director

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 98% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 50% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (3)
  1. $3.2 million spent. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT - FIRST UP PROVIDES TRAINING AND COACHING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS SEEKING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR SERVICES. SINCE 1995, FIRST UP HAS ASSISTED OVER 400 CHILD CENTERS AND FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES IN REACHING STATE (KEYSTONE STARS) OR NATIONAL ACCREDITATION (NAEYC OR NAFCC) STANDARDS. FIRST UP ALSO OFFERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CREDIT BEARING COURSE WORK FOR PROFESSIONALS WORKING TO UPGRADE THEIR PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS.
  2. $728,117 spent. PUBLIC POLICY - FIRST UP WORKS TO EXPAND PENNSYLVANIA'S COMMITMENT TO QUALITY CHILD CARE INITIATIVES, WHICH ARE CRITICAL TO THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN, PARTICULARLY THOSE AT RISK FROM THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY. FIRST UP BUILDS CAPACITY AMONG CHILD CARE STAFF FOR LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY AND BUILDS STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN HIGH QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION.
  3. $259,306 spent. Annual Conference - For more than 30 years, First Up has sponsored a professional development conference for the Early Childhood Community in the region. The conference includes presentations by local and national experts in early childhood education. With over 400 attendees, early childhood practitioners can earn PA Act 48, PA Keys, Keystone Stars and Social Work credits by attending the conference.

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 August 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.