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Adoption Network Cleveland

EIN 34-1603766 · Cleveland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ADOPTION NETWORK CLEVELAND'S MISSION IS TO CONNECT AND EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY ADOPTION, KINSHIP, AND FOSTER CARE, AND WE PROVIDE A SOURCE OF HEALING FOR THOSE IN NEED.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$976,027
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
10.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
13
Volunteers
158
Highest pay
$104,879, executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $494,545 spent. FAMILIES & YOUTH - OUR FAMILIES & YOUTH PROGRAMS FOCUS ON STRENGHTHENING FAMILIES, NURTURING RESILIENCY, AND CREATING STRONG SOCIAL CONNECTIONS TO ADDRESS CHILDREN'S UNIQUE NEEDS FOR HEALING. PROGRAMS TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SERVING ADOPTIVE, KINSHIP, AND FOSTER FAMILIES RAISING CHILDREN THROUGH STRATEGIES THAT MEET THE FAMILY'S NEEDS AND FOCUS ON THEIR STRENGTHS. THROUGH PARTICIPATING, PARENTS DISCOVER THE TOOLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SUPPORT SYSTEM THEY NEED TO PARENT THEIR CHILD(REN) SUCCESSFULLY, AND CHILDREN FEEL SAFE, SUPPORTED, AND CAPABLE OF DEVELOPING HEALTHY HABITS. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT, MONTHLY PARENT AND TEEN SUPPORT GROUPS, A MONTHLY TRANSRACIAL PARENTING SUPPORT GROUP, (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)A MONTHLY NAMI MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP, PARENT EDUCATION, PEER NETWORK BUILDING, NORMALIZING FAMILY SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, FAMILY MEDIATION, ADOPTION 101 (FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS), INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, AND PERSONAL ADVOCACY.
  2. $138,135 spent. ADULT ADOPTEES, BIRTH FAMILY, AND DNA SURPRISES - OUR ADULT ADOPTEE & BIRTH PARENT PROGRAMS PROVIDE INFORMATION, SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY FOR ADOPTEES AND BIRTH PARENTS, SIBILINGS, AND OTHER IMPACTED FAMILY MEMBERS, AS WELL AS THOSE DISCOVERING NEW DNA CONNECTIONS. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN THIS AREA INCLUDE OUR GENERAL DISCUSSION MEETINGS, AS WELL AS THOSE DISCOVERING NEW DNA CONNECTIONS. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN THIS AREA INCLUDE OUR GENERAL DISCUSSION MEETINGS AND SEARCH & DNA ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. OUR GENERAL DISCUSSION MEETINGS ARE FACILITATED, PEER SUPPORT MEETINGS OFFERED MULTIPLE TIMES PER MONTH THAT PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ADOPTION CONSTELLATION AND THOSE WITH DNA SURPRISES TO SHARE PERSPECTIVES AND RECEIVE SUPPORT. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)OUR SEARCH & DNA ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FOR THOSE WISHING TO SEARCH AND RECONNECT WITH BIRTH FAMILY MEMBERS.
  3. $77,112 spent. EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH - OUR EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES CREATE A COMMUNITY FOR PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, DEVELOPMENT, AND COLLABORATION FOR ALL THOSE WORKING WITH ADOPTION, KINSHIP, AND FOSTER CARE POPULATIONS. WE ALSO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS OF THE ADOPTION CONSTELLATION AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE THROUGH PRESENTATIONS FROM LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL EXPERTS. WE MAINTAIN PARTNERSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO SHARE RESOURCES, INFORMATION, AND REFERRALS.
  4. $43,755 spent. ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY - ONE OF ADOPTION NETWORK CLEVELAND'S FOUNDING PRINCIPLES IS TO CREATE SOCIAL CHANGE AND SERVE AS A COLLECTIVE VOICE FOR MANY WHO FEEL OTHERWISE SILENCED. THE ORGANIZATION ACTS TO EFFECTUATE CHANGES IN PUBLIC POLICY GOVERNING ADOPTION AND CHILD WELFARE. THIS PUBLIC POLICY INCLUDES LAWS, AGENCY REGULATIONS, AND SOCIETAL ATTITUDES. THE ORGANIZATION USES GRASSROOTS AND OTHER LOBBYING EFFORTS TO ENSURE THESE VOICES ARE HEARD. ON A MORE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL, ADOPTION NETWORK CLEVELAND ALSO WORKS WITH HUNDREDS OF ADOPTEES, BIRTH PARENTS, INDIVIDUALS WITH DNA SURPRISES, THOSE WHO ARE DONOR-CONCEIVED, ADOPTIVE, KINSHIP, AND FOSTER PARENTS, AND FOSTER YOUTH EACH YEAR TO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AND EMPOWER THEM TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES.

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 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 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 May 1991.

    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.