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Early Childhood Alliance Inc

EIN 35-0953465 · Fort Wayne, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BUILD BETTER FUTURES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN BY PROMOTING AND PROVIDING EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION.

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$5.4 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 47%
Employees
75
Volunteers
52
Highest pay
$133,810, 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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 (3)
  1. $2.4 million spent. CHILDCARE WAS PROVIDED FROM 6:30 AM TO 5:30 PM WEEKDAYS FOR 164 CHILDREN IN 2024. THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HIGH SCOPE CURRICULUM WAS UTILIZED. MORE THAN 74% OF THE CHILDREN WE SERVE ARE PART OF LOW-INCOME OR AT-RISK FAMILIES. IN ADDITION TO THE FUNDS COLLECTED FOR DIRECT SERVICE TO CHILDREN, ECA RECEIVED ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM FEDERAL GRANT DOLLARS, COMMUNITY GRANTS, AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO FUND THIS PROGRAM.
  2. $2.1 million spent. THE CACFP PROGRAM MONITORS AND REIMBURSES 106 FAMILY CHILDCARE HOMES AND 16 CHILDCARE CENTERS IMPACTING 2651 CHILDREN IN 2024. THE HOMES AND CENTERS PREPARE NUTRITIONALLY BALANCED MEALS AND SNACKS FOR CHILDREN IN 15 NORTHEAST INDIANA COUNTIES. EARLY CHILDHOOD ALLIANCE RECEIVED FEDERAL GRANT DOLLARS TO FUND THIS PROGRAM AND DISBURSED OVER 1.8 MILLION IN REIMBURSEMENTS TO THE HOME CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND CENTERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM.
  3. $130,121 spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD ALLIANCE'S SHARED SERVICES NETWORK, STARTED IN 2022, IS A PROGRAM SET TO HELP CHILDCARE HOMES AND FACILITIES INCREASE ENROLLMENT, REDUCE ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS, AND GROW THEIR BUSINESS THROUGH THE HELP OF TOOLS AND COACHING. ECA WORKED WITH 4 HOMES, 1 FAITH-BASED CENTER, AND 10 SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS IN 2024.

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 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 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 November 1971.

    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.