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Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies

EIN 36-4096312 · Bloomington, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak29 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE AND FACILITATE HIGH QUALITY EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, EMPLOYERS & COMMUNITIES IN ILLINOIS

Income
$196.2 million
Spending
$196.6 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 99%
Employees
266
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$331,696, executive director

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: 29 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 84% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • 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 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 (6)
  1. $159.1 million spent. SMART START TRANSITION GRANTS:SMART START TRANSITION GRANTS PROVIDE STABLE, PREDICTABLE FUNDING TO SUPPORT HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE AND INVEST IN OUR CRITICAL CHILD CARE WORKFORCE.
  2. $15.8 million spent. GATEWAYS TO OPPORTUNITY:GATEWAYS TO OPPORTUNITY IS A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDCARE PROFESSIONALS IN ILLINOIS BY PROVIDING A NETWORK OF RESOURCES IN THE AREAS OF CREDENTIALING, CAREER GUIDANCE, TRAINING, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
  3. $16.4 million spent. BIRTH TO FIVE ILLINOIS:BIRTH TO FIVE ILLINOIS IS A STATEWIDE REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WORKS WITH THE COMMUNITIES, AMPLIFYING THEIR INPUT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ILLINOIS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION & CARE POLICIES AND FUNDING PRIORITIES.
  4. $693,770 spent. ISBE GATEWAY SCHOLARSHIPS
  5. $1.9 million spent. CITY OF CHICAGO SCHOLARSHIP
  6. $622,833 spent. OTHER

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 May 1997.

    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.