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4cs of Passaic County Inc

EIN 27-0379818 · Paterson, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

4CS OF PASSAIC COUNTY INC.'S MISSION IS TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN OBTAINING HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE THAT IS AVAILABLE, ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$4.8 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
1
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$197,950, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 September 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 (5)
  1. $1.1 million spent. CHILDCARE ADMINISTRATION: 4CS IS THE DESIGNATED CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL AGENCY FOR PASSAIC COUNTY AS CONTRACTED BY THE NJ DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, DIVISION OF FAMILY DEVELOPMENT (DFD). A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF 4CS IS TO ASSESS THE APPLICANT FAMILY'S ELIGIBILITY TO DETERMINE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THEIR CHILDCARE NEEDS. DURING FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, 4CS ENCUMBERED AND PAYMENTS WERE ISSUED ON BEHALF OF ALL ELIGIBLE PASSAIC COUNTY FAMILIES IN THE AMOUNT OF $72,670,835, REPRESENTING SERVICE TO 9172 UNDUPLICATED CHILDREN.
  2. $641,428 spent. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING: OUR CENTER FOR CHILD CARE CAREERS ENHANCES THE AGENCY'S MISSION BY MENTORING, TEACHING, OFFERING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND COMMUNICATING ABOUT EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION CONCERNS, SUCH AS HIGH-QUALITY CHILDCARE, CHILDREN'S HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT, AND RAISING SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN THROUGH INCREASING THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF PARENTS, HEAD START PROVIDERS, CHILDCARE CENTERS, FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, FAMILY-FRIEND-AND-NEIGHBOR PROVIDERS, AND DIRECTORS. LAST YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 1207 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THESE TRAININGS, AND MORE THAN 750 CHILDCARE CENTER STAFF AND FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDERS WERE REPRESENTED. THE PROVIDER SERVICES MAINTAINS LISTS OF AVAILABLE AND APPROVED PROVIDERS AND CENTERS, MONITORS THE PROVIDERS AND CENTERS, ASSISTS WITH CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM REFERRALS, DONATES BOOKS AND SUPPORT ITEMS, AND HOLDS APPRECIATION EVENTS.
  3. $681,068 spent. CHILD CARE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT: FUNDED BY THE DFD, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES, COORDINATES, AND ASSISTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONAL CHILD CARE RESOURCES WITHIN THE COUNTY FOR FAMILIES TO MAKE CHILD CARE ARRANGEMENTS. CONCENTRATED RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS INCREASE AND ENHANCE THE AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY OF CHILD CARE TO FAMILIES IN THE COUNTY.
  4. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT - ALL QUALITY ACTIVITIES ALIGN WITH, SUPPORT, AND HELP SUSTAIN QUALITY EFFORTS REQUIRED BY THE CHILDCARE DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CCDBG), GROW NJ KIDS, AND OTHER DFD FUNDING EFFORTS. GUIDING PRINCIPLES, THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN BY DFD, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY REGARDING THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, SOUND FISCAL AND PROGRAMMATIC ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS AND INTERNAL CONTROLS, EQUITY AND ACCESS TO SERVICES, COORDINATION, AND LINKAGES OF SERVICES ACROSS PROGRAMS AND WITH KEY PARTNERS AT FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS, AND PROGRAM GUIDANCE AND CLEAR COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT CCDBG/ CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND POLICIES.CHILDCARE AND ADULT FOOD PROGRAM: FUNDED BY THE US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, PASSED THROUGH THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, THE PROGRAM REIMBURSES FOR FOOD, FOOD SUPPLIES, AND OTHER RELATED EXPENSES, AND PROVIDES MEALS FOR ELIGIBLE CHILDREN ENROLLED IN THE HOMES OF REGISTERED FAMILY CHILDCARE ("FCC") PROVIDERS.COUNSELING AND REFERRALS: FUNDED BY THE DFD, THE PROGRAM ASSISTS AND COUNSELS PARENTS ON AVAILABLE CHILDCARE OPTIONS. CHILDCARE INFORMATION IS DISSEMINATED TO ALL INTERESTED FAMILIES AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA.VOCATIONAL SCHOOL: 4CS THE CENTER FOR CHILD CARE CAREERS (THE "CENTER") OFFERS ALL STAFF IN THE FIELD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS AND ADVANCE THEIR CAREERS. THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROVED THE CENTER AS A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN 1997 AND, SINCE 2009 HAS CONTINUED TO GRANT APPROVAL. THE CENTER ENHANCES 4CS'S MISSION BY INCREASING THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF PARENTS AND THE CHILDCARE WORKFORCE IN HEAD START PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY-BASED CHILDCARE CENTERS, REGISTERED HOME-BASED FCC PROVIDERS, AND CENTER DIRECTORS REGARDING SIGNIFICANT AND IMPORTANT CONCERNS SUCH AS DEVELOPING HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE PROGRAMS AND RAISING SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN. 4CS CONTINUES TO EMPOWER AND SUPPORT FAMILIES BY PROMOTING QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE THROUGH COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND WORKING WITH ITS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.ADVOCACY: 4CS'S MISSION IS TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF NEW JERSEY IN OBTAINING HIGH QUALITY, ACCESSIBLE, AVAILABLE, AND AFFORDABLE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION. IN AN EFFORT TO ACCOMPLISH THIS MISSION, 4CS PROVIDES SUBSIDIES TO FAMILIES AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND INFORMATION ON QUALITY CHILDCARE.
  5. $1.6 million spent. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE - CHILD CARE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT: FUNDED BY THE DFD, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES, COORDINATES, AND ASSISTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONAL CHILD CARE RESOURCES WITHIN THE COUNTY FOR FAMILIES TO MAKE CHILD CARE ARRANGEMENTS. CONCENTRATED RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS INCREASE AND ENHANCE THE AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY OF CHILD CARE TO FAMILIES IN THE COUNTY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 2009.

    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.

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