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Passes our checks

California Childrens Academy

EIN 23-7156847 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CCA IS COMMITTED TO PREPARING YOUNG CHILDREN TO BE GLOBAL CITIZENS WHO ARE DEVELOPMENTALLY WELL-ROUNDED, EMOTIONALLY LITERATE, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS.

Income
$19.0 million
Spending
$18.8 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
253
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$203,613, 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

Weak: 48 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 89% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 (3)
  1. $17.0 million spent. CALIFORNIA CHILDREN'S ACADEMY WORKS DAILY TO PROVIDE THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITIES THE EXPERIENCES NEEDED FOR DISCOVERY AND LEARNING. WE DO THIS THROUGH FOCUSED CURRICULUM PLANNING AND EXECUTION, NURTURING AND CARING RELATIONSHIPS, HIGH QUALITY ENVIRONMENTS, AND DETAILED PLANS FOR INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT. IT IS OUR GOAL TO PREPARE CHILDREN TO BE KNOWLEDGE SEEKERS, GOOD CITIZENS, AND ROLE MODELS FOR POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS. OUR SERVICES ARE INCLUSIVE OF INFANTS, TODDLERS, PRESCHOOLERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES. DURING THE 2024-2025 FY, CCA OPERATED 15 SCHOOLS AND SERVED HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN PER DAY ACROSS LOS ANGELES COUNTY.
  2. $612,123 spent. CCA ADMINISTERS THE CA CHILD AND ADULT FOOD PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES MEAL SUBSIDIES FOR THE CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM AND IS A SUBRECIPIENT FROM THE CA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. THIS SUBSIDY ALLOWS CCA TO PROVIDE BALANCED MEALS AND SNACKS TO THE STUDENTS IN OUR PROGRAM, PROVIDING UP TO 80% OF EACH CHILD'S DAILY NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS. DURING THE 2024-2025 FY, CCA WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE 3 MEALS PER DAY (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, SNACK) PER CHILD, WHICH RESULTED IN THOUSANDS OF MEALS SERVED.
  3. $172,761 spent. CCA RECEIVES TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED FUNDS FROM LOCAL FUNDING SOURCES TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF PROVIDING CHILD CARE SERVICES.

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 September 1972.

    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.