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Harkness House for Children Inc

EIN 36-4237969 · Winnetka, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 79 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

HARKNESS HOUSE FOR CHILDREN (HHC) BEGAN WITH THE BELIEF THAT ALL FAMILIES DESERVE A QUALITY AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE PROGRAM BASED ON EXEMPLARY PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES, IMPLEMENTED BY A WELL TRAINED, PROFESSIONAL CARING STAFF. HHC PROVIDES A LOVING, NURTURING, MULTICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT WITH AN ANTI-BIAS CURRICULUM, IN WHICH CHILDREN LEARN TO RESPECT AND CARE FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. HHC IS COMMITTED TO BRINGING CHILDREN, PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY AS A NURTURING UNIT IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY AND TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP TO THE LARGER CHILDCARE COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
25
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$131,648, executive director

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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 79 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (1)
  1. $1.7 million spent. HARKNESS HOUSE IS A CHILDCARE AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER PROVIDING QUALITY INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE. INFANTS AND TODDLERS ARE PAIRED WITH A PRIMARY TEACHER IN THEIR CLASSROOM, ALLOWING CAREGIVERS AND CHILDREN TO DEVELOP STRONG RELATIONSHIPS, A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT, AND A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING. DAILY HOT CATERED LUNCHES, CREATIVE CURRICULUMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITES, MUSIC AND ART PROJECTS, FIELD TRIPS FOR OLDER CHILDREN, AND CLASSES IN SPANISH, YOGA, TUMBLING, SWIMMING AND MORE ARE OFFERED TO STUDENTS.

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 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 December 1998.

    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.