4c for Children Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
4C is the state appointed Child Care Resource and Referral Agency serving six counties Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha. We provide a wide-variety of services to any and all regulated child care programs to include training and education and technical assistance.
- Income
- $4.6 million
- Spending
- $4.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- -0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 83%
- Employees
- 39
- Volunteers
- 9
- Highest pay
- $124,217, 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: 29 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 53% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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.
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (7)
- $2.2 million spent. Child Adult Care Food Program - offers child care providers in Southeastern Wisconsin the opportunity to participate in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program to assist in providing nutritious meals to the children in care. The program provides nutrition education and reimbursement for providers who serve meals which meet USDA CACFP guidelines.
- $737,979 spent. Child Care Resource Referral Program CCRR responsible for providing four core services, available to all families and providers within their designated service delivery areas. The four core services are Referrals and resources for families, providers, and communities Training for child care providers Data collection and monitoring Local support
- $562,601 spent. Pre-licensing certifications 4C For Children serves northeastern, southern, and western counties. Support includes Personalized guidance from technical consultants Understanding licensing rules and procedures Roadmaps for both family and group child care licensing Help with physical space setup and required equipment Assistance with DCF forms and documentation.
- Program Service Expenses 69,865, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Youngstar
- Program Service Expenses 230,891, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 155,458 Training - Provide training and educational opportunities for all regulated child care programs.
- Program Service Expenses 107,602, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Maximus Training contract
- Program Service Expenses 518,371, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Family Center of Washington Co., Partner Up and Other Programs
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
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1972.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 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.