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Action for Children

EIN 31-0820393 · Columbus, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak43 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF CHILDREN BY SUPPORTING, EMPOWERING, AND ADVOCATING FOR THE ADULTS WHO MAKE THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON CHILDREN'S LIVES-THEIR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS AND TEACHERS.

Income
$14.5 million
Spending
$15.0 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 93%
Employees
116
Volunteers
320
Highest pay
$163,252, ceo to june 2025

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

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 62% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 (3)
  1. $9.6 million spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMUNITY - ACTION FOR CHILDREN PROVIDES QUALITY IMPROVEMENT SUPPORTS, COACHING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILD CARE PROGRAMS AND PROFESSIONALS. IN FY25, THIS INCLUDES 2,540 HOURS OF STEP UP TO QUALITY COACHING TO SUPPORT HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION. WE PROVIDED MORE THAN 4,552 HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND COACHING, INCLUDING OUR 135-HOUR CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE COURSEWORK WHICH 84 PROFESSIONALS COMPLETED IN FY25.WE AWARDED $4,534,680IN CHILD CARE SCHOLARSHIPS ON BEHALF OF HUNDREDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN.
  2. $4.2 million spent. Parents, guardians, and families - The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department continued to advance family centered services through community events, parent education, and strategic outreach across Central Ohio. The department hosted its annual Spring Fling, Back to School Family Fair, and Fall Fest, serving more than 800 families. These events, along with other community-based engagement efforts, provided families with access to child development resources, connections to community services, and opportunities to build relationships with staff and other families. Each event created a welcoming space where families accessed child development resources, community services, and built meaningful relationships with staff and one another. Across all FACE programs, the department supported 2,891 families in locating quality child care, connected 14,454 parents to Help Me Grow services, and provided over 1,600 parents with evidence-based/evidence-informed education, impacting 3,262 children. Through 3,433 home visits and 1,708 safe sleep interactions, the department met families where they were and helped them take the next step forward.
  3. $104,988 spent. COMMUNITY - ACTION FOR CHILDREN PROVIDES FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI) CHECKS AND BUREAU OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION (BCI) BACKGROUND CHECKS AND FINGERPRINTING SERVICES TO CHILD CARE PROFESSIONALS, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

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 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 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 March 1973.

    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.