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The Lewis Chatman Academy

EIN 26-3929548 · Paterson, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LEWIS CHATMAN ACADEMY PROVIDES QUALITY DAYCARE SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY. IT CAREFULLY PLANS ACTIVITIES THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED WITH A CHILDS INDIVIDUAL TRAITS TO ACCOMMODATE VARIOUS LEARNING STYLES AT THE DAYCARE CENTER

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 62%
Employees
18
Highest pay
$144,050, 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 63% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $1.6 million spent. PROVIDED FULL DAY FOR PRE-K, INFANTS AND TODDLERS PACKED WITH ACTIVITIES THAT HELPED IN THE SOCIAL AND ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT OF 75 CHILDREN. MEALS WERE ALSO PROVIDED UNDER THE NJ FOOD PROGRAM.
  2. THE LEWIS CHATMAN ACADEMY IS A NEW AGE NONPROFIT CHILD CARE CENTER IN PATERSON, NJ. WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY. OUR GOAL IS TO EDUCATE THE FAMILY AS WELL AS THE CHILDREN THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS IN THE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN PATERSON.
  3. THE LEWIS CHATMAN ACADEMY IS A NEW AGE NONPROFIT CHILD CARE CENTER IN PATERSON, NJ. WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY. OUR GOAL IS TO EDUCATE THE FAMILY AS WELL AS THE CHILDREN THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS IN THE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN PATERSON.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2017 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2017.

    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 November 2019.

    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.

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.