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Circle of Care for Families With Cancer

EIN 26-2224475 · Wilton, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CIRCLE OF CARE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN PROVIDES PRACTICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THEIR DAY OF DIAGNOSIS, THROUGH TREATMENT AND BEYOND. OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ADDRESS THE UNIQUE AND CHALLENGING NON-MEDICAL NEEDS OF PEDIATRIC CANCER BECAUSE WE KNOW CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS NEED MORE THAN MEDICINE TO HEAL.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
8
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$86,844, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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 61% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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. $1.3 million spent. Mission Circle of Care provides practical, emotional, and financial support to families and their children, adolescents, and young adults, facing a cancer diagnosis. We believe that the path to healing extends beyond medicine and we offer services tailored to address the distinct and demanding, non-medical challenges families encounter throughout their entire journey with pediatric cancer. Our vision is to ensure that no family faces the financial or emotional burden of pediatric cancer alone. we are committed to providing comprehensive, coordinated support to relieve the emotional strain and financial toxicity families face so that they can focus on caring for their child and their family. Our CARE model is meticulously crafted and is based on three core pillars of support: emotional, practical, and financial. these pillars serve as the cornerstone of our unwavering dedication to being a steadfast resource for families, not just during the treatment phase, but throughout their entire journey--from the moment of diagnosis and beyond. Practical: The challenges associated with caring for a child with pediatric cancer are unfamiliar, complex, and can be overwhelming. Having guidance from those who have been down this path can be helpful in little ways that make a big difference. Our Bags of Love delivers canvas totes filled with personal care items (thermometers, phone chargers, reusable water bottles, a fuzzy blanket and our resource directory) to ease the transition to a typically long hospital stay. Emotional: We understand the power of support from others who have or are currently facing a pediatric cancer journey, so we offer opportunities for families to meet and connect with one another outside the medical environment. We also offer a program to support the needs of adolescents and young adults in treatment for cancer to connect with one another. Our dream room makeover program provides and enormous emotional boost to patients and families. Financial: Our emergency financial program provides direct financial assistance to help families in financial crisis due to their child's medical needs, meet their basic needs (e.g. rent or mortgage payments, food, utilities, transportation) by paying bills directly to creditors.

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 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 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.