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Child Care Choices Inc

EIN 41-1321820 · Waite Park, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Building brighter futures, nurturing growth, and creating pathways to success for the early childhood community.

Income
$9.1 million
Spending
$9.0 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 98%
Employees
45
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$30,753, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 36 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 63% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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 September 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 (4)
  1. $5.2 million spent. Child Care Choices, Inc.(CCCI) holds a contract with the State of Minnesota to sponsor the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. The program promotes proper nutrition for children in the care of licensed in-home child care providers by reimbursing them for a portion of their food costs for creditable meals. Child care providers keep daily records of attendance and meals served to children in their care. The information is then submitted by claims electronically or on paper to CCCI for processing. The claims are reviewed for accuracy and allowable food served according to USDA regulations, then submitted electronically to the State for final processing. Payment is made to CCCI for the grand total of claims and the payments are disbursed to each individual provider.
  2. $3.0 million spent. Child Care Choices, Inc. serves as the Child Care Aware, West/Central District site for 22 counties, 7W Regional services for Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright Counties, and Northwest Training Delivery. Through all services provided, Child Care Aware promotes high quality child care that meets the needs of young children and their families. Child Care Aware, West/Central provides Professional Development, Grants, and Parent Aware recruiting to all 22 counties within the District. Region 7W Child Care Aware provides community outreach and support to child care programs and Parent Aware Coaching. Child Care Aware at the Regional and District level, provides resources and tools to help individuals open a child care business. Child Care Aware also has components that offer services to Family, Friend, and Neighbor (legally non-licensed) child caregivers.
  3. $447,167 spent. Child Care Choices, Inc. administers the Early Learning Scholarship Program for Region 7W in Minnesota. This program is a State of Minnesota initiative to expand access to high quality early childhood education programs for children ages three to five from low-income families. These scholarships provide financial assistance for eligible families to enroll their children in high quality child care and early education programs participating in Parent Aware.
  4. $3,005 spent. Child Care Choices, Inc. hosts a learning event each year to provide child care providers with the opportunity to receive education and training on issues affecting the child care profession. Child care providers receive creditable training hours that can be used to meet state licensing requirements. The learning event offers training on a variety of issues affecting all child care providers.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 June 1978.

    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.