Child Neurology Education and Research Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 49% of its spending went to programs.
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 54 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The mission of the Child Neurology Foundation is to serve as a collaborative center of education, resources, and support for children and their families living with neurologic conditions, and facilitate connection with medical professionals who care for them. The Child Neurology Foundation connects partners from all areas of the child neurology community so those navigating the journey of disease diagnosis, management, and care have the ongoing support from those dedicated to treatments and cures. Our expanding network of patients and caregivers, volunteers and advocates, researchers and clinicians is committed to helping one another along the path that leads to the best quality of care - and the highest quality of life-for every child.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 49%
- Reserves
- -0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 49%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 14
- Highest pay
- $325,921, 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: 5 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 64% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 49% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 60% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1549% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 54 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. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 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 (2)
- $309,261 spent. RESEARCH GRANTS: Since 2001, CNF has proudly awarded grants and scholarships totaling over $6.3M to child neurologists, medical students, institutions, and researchers who are working on treatments and cures for pediatric neurologic diseases. To further the study of solutions in the areas of Transition of Care and Care Coordination, the Foundation awarded thirteen organizations $26,000 Quality Improvement Grants in 2024. To further support and interest in the field of child neurology, the Foundation awarded four Dr. Kenneth F. Swaiman Medical Student Scholarships in the amount of $6,000 for medical students interested in exploring a career in child neurology, plus $1,500 travel stipend for attendance at the Child Neurology Society Annual Meeting. The Foundation further awarded the annual Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Summer Research Scholarship of $3,500 to a medical student who has an interest in training in neurodevelopmental disabilities or child neurology.
- $613,781 spent. COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND EDUCATION: In 2024 , CNF's largest program provided emotional support to over 750 families, reached over 460 clinicians with education, and built collaborations with over 91 other patient advocacy organizations via the Neurology Social Services Network (NSSN). Through the NSSN CNF provides access to local service organizations such as food shelves, transportation assistance, and housing assistance. In 2024, the NSSN processed 1023 referrals providing resources across 48 states. In 2024 education program topics included family support, digital access, transition of care, shortening the diagnostic odyssey, care coordination, preventing epilepsy deaths, and clinical trials. CNF also collected insights from families and child neurologists via surveys and focus groups. This information influences the development of CNF programming going forward.
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 May 2001.
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.