Media Voices for Children
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF POVERTY AND GLOBALIZATION ON THE WORLD'S CHILDREN BY PRODUCING AND DISTRIBUTING VIDEOS, INTERACTIVE MEDIA AND DOCUMENTARY FILMS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO USING THE INTERNET AND THE POWER OF SOCIAL NETWORKING AND DISTRIBUTED MEDIA TO BUILD A NETWORK OF ACTIVISTS AND ACTIVITIES, REACHING MAINSTREAM MEDIA, THE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
- Income
- $412,903
- Spending
- $426,427
- Spent on programs
- 96%
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 2
- Highest pay
- $13,650, president
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: 38 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 691% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 45% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1596% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $211,177 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN IN KENYAN SCHOOL HOUSE PROJECTS, INCLUDING SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS, SUPPLIES TO DISPENSARIES AND AMBULANCES, SCHOOL FEES, FOOD DELIVIERIES TO CHILDREN'S FAMILIES, AND ACADEMIC SUPPLIES.
- $36,178 spent. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TOWARDS SPREADING EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND AWARENESS EFFORTS CENTERED ON CHILD WELFARE AND ABUSE. IT HAS PREVIOUSLY PARTNERED WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT'S HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE TO CREATE A SCHOOL CURRICULUM FOR GRADES 8-12 TITLED "CHILDHOOD UNBOUND." THE ORGANIZATION TRAVELS BETWEEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND LEGISLATIVE BODIES TEACHING SEMINARS AND COURSES ON THE CAUSES OF AND SOLUTIONS TO CHILD LABOR AND TRAFFICKING. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO UPDATE IT'S CURRICULUM AND MATERIALS DURING THE YEAR.
- $163,822 spent. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED DISTRIBUTING IT'S PREVIOUSLY PRODUCED FILM "BUTTERFLY BUTTERFLY- AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF PRODUCING A FILM PROJECT FOR DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION TITLED "VIPI TATOTO"(TRANSLATED: HOW ARE THE CHILDREN IN SWAHILI).
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2009.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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.