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Childrens Cancer Connection

EIN 42-1313167 · Johnston, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CONNECTING FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CHILDHOOD CANCER BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES THAT ENCOURAGE RELATIONSHIPS AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
11
Volunteers
209
Highest pay
$129,551, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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

    9 of 9 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 December 31, 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. $806,665 spent. CHILDREN'S CANCER CONNECTION PROVIDES WEEKLONG RESIDENTIAL CAMP FOR CHILDREN THAT HAVE OR HAVE HAD CANCER. WE ALSO PROVIDE A SEPERATE WEEK OF CAMP FOR THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE DAY CAMP PROGRAMS, FAMILY WEEKENDS, TEEN CAMPS, AND OTHER RETREATS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
  2. $161,333 spent. CHILDREN'S CANCER CONNECTION STRIVES TO BE A LEADER IN PROVIDING SERVICES FROM DIAGNOSIS THROUGH THE ENTIRE JOURNEY. OUR HOSPITAL-BASED PROGRAMMING SUPPORTS THE CHILD, FAMILY, AND HEALTHCARE TEAM. PROGRAMS LIKE THE MY JOURNEY SERIES, INCLUDES MY JOURNEY BOOK, A PARENT RESOURCE AND TEACHING GUIDE FOR THE HEALTHCARE TEAM. BEADS4BRAVERY ALLOWS THE CHILD A WAY OF JOURNALING THEIR TREATMENT PROCESS BY COLLECTING UNIQUE BEADS THAT REPRESENT THE DIFFERENT PROCEDURES THEY FACE. THE COURAGE STORE PROVIDES A TRACKING AND REWARD SYSTEM TO HELP PATIENTS FEEL EMPOWERED THROUGHOUT TREATMENT.
  3. $107,555 spent. CHILDREN'S CANCER CONNECTION OFFERS SUPPORT SERVICES AND OUTINGS AS A WAY TO CONNECT CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH OTHERS WHO TRULY UNDERSTAND THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS CANCER HAS ON THE ENTIRE FAMILY. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THESE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED IN THE FORM OF FAMILY ACTIVITIES AND OUTINGS, SUPPORT PROGRAMMING FOR BEREAVED FAMILIES, AND GROUP ACTIVITIES.
  4. $16,000 spent. TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THOSE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY CHILDHOOD CANCER WHO ATTEND OR PLAN TO ATTEND AN ACCREDITED TWO OR FOUR YEAR INSTITUTION. CHILDREN'S CANCER CONNECTION EMPOWERING SCHOLARSHIPS INCLUDE BOARD REIMBURSEMENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND TUITION ASSISTANCE. SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE VALUES FROM $500-$5,000.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 March 1989.

    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.