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Early Learning Indiana Inc

EIN 35-0888763 · Indianapolis, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EARLY LEARNING INDIANA (ELI) IS ON A MISSION TO ENSURE EVERY CHILD IS EMPOWERED WITH ESSENTIAL SKILLS TO THRIVE IN KINDERGARTEN AND BEYOND. (SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION)

Income
$38.2 million
Spending
$63.0 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 54%
Employees
508
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$396,217, president & ceo

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 65% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 102% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 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 (4)
  1. $24.6 million spent. EARLY LEARNING INDIANA BELIEVES IF WE DO NOT CAPITALIZE ON THE OPPORTUNITY OF LEARNING IN THE EARLY YEARS THAT CHILDREN CANNOT REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND INDIANA WILL NOT BE TRULY PROSPEROUS. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS MISSION, ELI SEEKS TO INFORM EARLY EDUCATION PRACTICE, PUBLIC POLICY, AND FUNDING THROUGH RESEARCH INSIGHTS. WE INCUBATE PILOT PROGRAMS, INVEST IN COMMUNITY-LED PROJECTS THAT INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EARLY LEARNING WORKFORCE, AND EXPAND ACCESS TO CARE. ELI ALSO OPERATES 11 HIGH-QUALITY DAY EARLY LEARNING SCHOOLS IN INDIANA AND PROVIDES SAFE AND DEVELOPMENTALLY ENRICHING CARE FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS, WITH FAMILY SUPPORT AND HEALTH SERVICES AT SIX LOCATIONS IN MARION COUNTY THROUGH AN EARLY HEAD START-CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIP.
  2. $28.0 million spent. IN 2024, EARLY LEARNING INDIANA CONTINUED TO OVERSEE THE EARLY YEARS INITIATIVE, A $55 MILLION COMPETITIVE GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR ORGANIZATIONS WITH A GOAL OF HELPING INFANTS AND TODDLERS DEVELOP FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THAT SUPPORT THEIR FUTURE LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT. IN 2024, 68 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WERE AWARDED GRANTS THROUGH THE EARLY YEARS INITIATIVE, RECEIVING $23 MILLION IN SUPPORT TO MEET THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF HOOSIER CHILDREN AGES 0-3. SINCE INCEPTION THE INITIATIVE HAS AWARDED 154 GRANTS TO 133 ORGANIZATIONS.
  3. $4.7 million spent. EARLY HEAD START (EHS) CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIP THROUGH AN EHS-CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIP GRANT, ELI CREATES SAFE AND DEVELOPMENTALLY ENRICHING CARE FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS, WITH EMBEDDED ACCESS TO FAMILY SUPPORT AND HEALTH SERVICES, IN 163 SEATS ACROSS SEVEN MARION COUNTY LOCATIONS, INCLUDING TWO PARTNERSHIP SITES. IN ADDITION TO HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LEARNING FOR CHILDREN, ELI'S TEAM SUPPORTS FAMILIES IN THEIR ROLE AS PRIMARY CAREGIVERS AND TEACHERS OF THEIR CHILDREN, ASSISTING FAMILIES IN MEETING THEIR OWN PERSONAL GOALS AND ACHIEVING SELF-SUFFICIENCY ACROSS A WIDE VARIETY OF DOMAINS, SUCH AS HOUSING STABILITY, CONTINUED EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL SECURITY.
  4. $982,845 spent. EARLY LEARNING INDIANA CONTINUES TO IMPLEMENT EFFORTS TO DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE EARLY LEARNING SYSTEM UNDER A 2022 GRANT FROM LILLY ENDOWMENT INC. THIS A FOUR-YEAR, STATEWIDE STRATEGY TO EXPAND ACCESS TO EARLY LEARNING SERVICES AND ENSURE SUCH SERVICES ARE HIGH-QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. AMONG OTHER ACTIVITIES UNDER THIS GRANT, ELI HAS LAUNCHED A TWO-YEAR INITIATIVE TO STRENGTHEN THE EARLY LEARNING WORKFORCE AND INCREASE CHILDREN'S LEARNING OUTCOMES BY OFFERING INTENSIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO LEADERS IN LICENSED CENTERS, REGISTERED MINISTRIES AND SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS THAT SERVE MORE THAN 10,000 CHILDREN ACROSS INDIANA.

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? 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 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 August 1946.

    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.