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Pasadena Child Development Associates Inc

EIN 26-1767757 · Pasadena, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak19 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 53 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

PCDA'S MISSION IS TO CREATE A COMMUNITY THAT BUILDS ON STRENGTHS AND RELATIONSHIPS TO PREPARE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FOR A FUTURE IN WHICH THEY ARE EMPOWERED, FULFILLED, AND FEEL THE SECURITY OF BELONGING.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
62
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$107,120, clinical & executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 19 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 66% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 53 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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 December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $504,731 spent. SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY AT PCDA PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL THERAPY FOR CHILDREN WITH CHALLENGES IN SPEECH AND COMMUNICAION. SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY IS PROVIDED IN PLAY-BASED AND SEMI STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES IN THE CLINIC SETTING. APPROXIMATELY 88 CHILDREN RECEIVED SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY SERVICES DURING 2024. PCDA SERVICES ARE UNIQUE IN THAT PARENTS ARE ALWAYS ACTIVELY INCLUDED IN ALL THERAPY SESSIONS AND THE USE OF DEVELOPMENTAL, PLAY-BASED METHODOLOGIES. SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AT PCDA SPECIALIZE IN AAC-ALTERNATIVE AND AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE UNABLE TO USE VERBAL COMMUNICATION. SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPISTS PROVIDE TRAINING THROUGH PRESENTATIONS FOR PCDA STAFF. LONG TERM GOALS OF THE SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PROGRAM ARE TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES,(CURRENTLY OFFERED IN MANDARIN, KOREAN, HEBREW, TAIWANESE, AND MALAYALAM) AND TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS AS LEADERS IN THE FIELD ADVOCATING FOR DEVELOPMENTAL-RELATIONSHIP BASED APPROACHES TO TREATMENT.
  2. $588,707 spent. Teen Club socialization skills program which supports community integration, peer to peer interaction, life skills in the home and community. Teen groups, including 2 facilitators and 6-8 teens, utilize budgeted funds to support programmatic goals such as event planning, budgeting, community visits to foster independence and community inclusion. Approximately 120 individuals received these services during 2024.
  3. $357,519 spent. Social Skills Groups at PCDA supports the social-emotional development of children age 3-13 through play and semi-structured activities. The program, available in 1:1 or small group settings (up to 3:1 facilitator support), helps children develop communication, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills, which are essential for successful peer interactions. 112 Individuals received these services in 2024.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 November 6, 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 December 2024.

    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 2008.

    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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Child Development Associates Incorporated (Bonita, CA), EIN 33-0050042. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.