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Kids Rank

EIN 37-1651268 · Highland Park, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak29 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
  • It owes more than it owns.

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

What it says it does

KIDS RANK PROVIDES STABILITY AND SUPPORT FOR MILITARY-CONNECTED CHILDREN BY NURTURING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH THROUGH CONNECTION, LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.

Income
$343,852
Spending
$383,162
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
-0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
5
Volunteers
5

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 3% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 131% 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 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (3)
  1. $279,198 spent. KIDS RANK PRIDE PROGRAM (CORNERSTONE PROGRAM):CLUB GROUPS-KIDS RANK CALLS THEM PRIDES AND THEY EACH TYPICALLY INVOLVE 10 CHILDREN-GIVE MEMBERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND THE CULTURE AND CHALLENGES FACED BY OTHERS IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. IN THIS GROUP ENVIRONMENT THEY HAVE A SAFE SPACE TO SHARE THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, DISAPPOINTMENTS, ANXIETIES AND EXCITEMENT WITHOUT FEAR OF JUDGMENTS. PARTICIPANTS ARE THEN ABLE TO TAKE ON LEADERSHIP ROLES THROUGH TEAM-BUILDING EXERCISES AND PROJECT PLANNING. MEETINGS INCLUDE BOTH STRUCTURED ELEMENTS MEANT TO MIRROR, IN AGE-APPROPRIATE WAYS, THE BEHAVIORS OF MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS ALONG WITH UNSTRUCTURED ACTIVITIES INTENDED TO INSPIRE CREATIVITY AND LEARNING. THIS PROGRAM EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING BACK THROUGH SERVICE RELATED VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES THEY CURRENTLY CALL HOME. PRIDES MEET ONCE PER WEEK FOR 60-90 MINUTE SESSIONS SPANNING A 30-WEEK PERIOD BEGINNING ANNUALLY IN OCTOBER.
  2. KIDS RANK TRANSITION SUMMER CAMP:SERVING 30 CHILDREN PER EACH WEEK SESSION. THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL IS OFTEN A DIFFICULT TRANSITION FOR MILITARY YOUTH. THE KIDS RANK CAMP SERVES TO BRIDGE THE TRANSITION TO A NEW COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC. THE CAMP SERVES AS A WAY TO HELP NEW MILITARY KIDS JOINING THE COMMUNITY TO TRANSITION INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH SOME ALREADY ESTABLISHED CONNECTIONS.
  3. SOCIAL SKILLS AND SERVICE PROGRAMS:THESE PROGRAMS SERVE TO INTENTIONALLY PROVIDE SPACE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONAL GROWTH IN MILITARY-CONNECTED YOUTH AS THEY TRANSITION INTO ADULTHOOD. THE PROGRAMS PROVIDE WEEKLY DROP-IN TIMES TO ALLOW FOR SMALL GROUP BONDING AND SKILL BUILDING WORKSHOPS PROMOTING BOTH HARD AND SOFT SKILLS AS WELL AS SERVICE LEARNING GIVING THEM REAL-WORLD PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITIES THAT CAN IMPACT THEIR COMMUNITIES. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE KIDS RANK ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAM, RED CROSS TRAINING, FUTURE PLANNING INCLUDING PUBLIC SPEAKING AND ORGANIZATION SKILLS, AND THE KIDS RANK MEDIA DEPARTMENT.

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 July 2012.

    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.