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Family Connections of Northeast Ohio

EIN 34-1696816 · Cleveland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FAMILY CONNECTIONS OF NORTHEAST OHIO HAS BEEN HELPING FAMILIES GROW STRONGER TOGETHER FOR OVER 40 YEARS BY PROVIDING PARENTING SUPPORT AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FROM BIRTH THROUGH AGE 6. WE OFFER YEAR-ROUND, FREE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN TO LEARN AND PLAY TOGETHER.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 43%
Employees
30
Volunteers
26
Highest pay
$113,286, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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

    16 of 16 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 July 31, 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. $858,252 spent. SPARK (SUPPORTING PARTNERSHIPS TO ASSURE READY KIDS) IS A FAMILY-FOCUSED, HOME VISITING PROGRAM THAT HELPS PRESCHOOLERS AGES 3 AND 4 GET READY FOR KINDERGARTEN. SPARK EMPOWERS PARENTS TO BECOME ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION. OUR PARENT PARTNERS ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH FAMILIES THROUGHOUT CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
  2. $264,932 spent. FAMILY CONNECTIONS OF NORTHEAST OHIO PROVIDES THREE FAMILY PLAYROOMS, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 2 LOCAL LIBRARIES, SHAKER HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY AND CLEVELAND HEIGHTS-UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY AND THE GREATER CLEVELAND FOODBANK'S COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER. OUR FAMILY PLAYROOMS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM ANY COMMUNITY. THEY ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT PARENTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN AGES BIRTH THROUGH FIVE. PARENTS/CAREGIVER AND CHILDREN PLAY TOGETHER AND WITH OTHERS TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SKILLS, DEVELOP EARLY LITERACY AND SCHOOL READINESS SKILLS. A WEEKLY PROGRAM CALLED BABY & ME IS FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS WITH BABIES' BIRTH TO 12 MONTHS TO OFFER THE SPECIALIZED SUPPORT AND INFORMATION SO NEEDED FOR FAMILIES DURING THE FIRST YEAR. IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS TO BREAK THEIR ISOLATION AND DISCOVER THEY ARE NOT ALONE IN THEIR CHALLENGES AND CONCERNS. PARENT SUPPORT SPECIALISTS ARE READY TO PROVIDE IMPORTANT GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES TO REASSURE NEW PARENTS. WE ALSO OFFER 2 VIRTUAL PROGRAMS. A MUSIC PROGRAM AND A PARENT DISCUSSION GROUP. BOTH ARE VERY POPULAR, AND THE FAMILIES FIND THEM FUN AND HELPFUL.
  3. $264,932 spent. ADDITIONAL PARENTING SUPPORT INCLUDES OFFERING THE PARENT CAFE PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN OF ALL AGES TO SHARE AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER IN A WELCOMING AND FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE. FAMILIES DISCUSS A VARIETY OF TOPICS THAT INCLUDE CHILD DEVELOPMENT, POSITIVE DISCIPLINE, SELFCARE, STRESS REDUCTION AND MORE. THE PARENT CAFE MODEL IS BASED ON THE FIVE PROTECTIVE FACTORS IDENTIFIED BY THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL POLICY HTTPS://CSSP.ORG/.
  4. $198,302 spent. FAMILY CONNECTIONS OF NORTHEAST OHIO ALSO PARTICIPATES IN COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS GEARED TOWARDS FAMILIES OF YOUNG CHILDREN THROUGHOUT CUYAHOGA COUNTY TO BUILD AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY LEARNING AND PARENTING/CAREGIVER ENGAGEMENT IN THEIR CHILD'S LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 July 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 1992.

    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.