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Daystar for Medically Fragile Children Inc

EIN 26-3275794 · Rochester, NY

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

DAYSTAR KIDS PROMOTES THE HEALTH CARE, THERAPEUTIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND SOCIAL GOALS FOR CHILDREN WHOSE DEVELOPMENT IS DISRUPTED BY HOSPITALIZATION AND/OR TREATMENT FOR THEIR COMPLEX HEALTH CARE CONDITIONS.

Income
$10.4 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
9.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
57
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$183,803, chief executive officer

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 62% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 118% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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 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. $2.5 million spent. DAYSTAR KIDS PROVIDES YEAR-ROUND, FULL-DAY SPECIALIZED PEDIATRIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES TO CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX HEALTH CARE CONDITIONS RANGING IN AGE FROM 4 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS OLD AND EMPOWERS CHILDREN WITH THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO SUCCESSFULLY ENTER KINDERGARTEN WITH THEIR PEERS. IN 2024, DAYSTAR KIDS PROVIDED SKILLED PEDIATRIC NURSING SERVICES, EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, HEALTH CARE COORDINATION, FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, AND RELATED THERAPIES ONSITE TO 60 ENROLLEES FROM 15 SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITHIN 5 COUNTIES IN THE GREATER ROCHESTER AREA.
  2. $205,812 spent. DAYSTAR KIDS' FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY NEW YORK STATE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND PROVIDES ESSENTIAL CARE COORDINATION SERVICES, TRANSITIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES, PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE SERVICES, HEALTHCARE NAVIGATION ASSISTANCE, FAMILY ADVOCACY, AND ESSENTIAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES TO UP TO 50 FAMILIES ANNUALLY WITH AN INFANT OR CHILD WITH COMPLEX HEALTHCARE CONDITIONS AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. DURING 2024, DAYSTAR SERVED 57 FAMILIES WHO WERE APPROVED FOR THIS SERVICE, EMPOWERING THEM TO EFFECTIVELY ADVOCATE AND MANAGE THEIR CHILD'S COMPLEX HEALTH CARE, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL GOALS, WHILE SUPPORTING THEIR FAMILY'S NEED FOR ADDITIONAL CARE COORDINATION SUPPORTS.
  3. $396,143 spent. DAYSTAR KIDS' EARLY INTERVENTION AND PRESCHOOL SPECIAL SERVICES PROGRAM CONSISTS OF A DEDICATED TEAM OF RELATED PROVIDERS EXPERT IN WORKING WITH CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL COMPLEXITY TO PROVIDE ASSESSMENTS, EVALUATION SERVICES, AND THERAPY SERVICES. THIS PROGRAM IMPROVES SERVICE INTEGRATION, LINKING THE AGENCY'S CURRICULUM, THERAPEUTIC GOALS, AND HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES TO SUPPORT THE INDIVIDUALIZED NEEDS OF EACH ENROLLEE, AND CREATES UNPARALLELED CONTINUITY OF CARE BY MINIMIZING PATIENT TRANSITIONS AND DISRUPTION OF SERVICES. DURING 2024, DAYSTAR PROVIDED THESE SERVICES TO 62 ENROLLEES.

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 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 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 May 2017.

    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.