Children International
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE CONNECT PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD IN THE FIGHT TO END POVERTY. WORKING TOGETHER, WE INVEST IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH, BUILD THE HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS THEY NEED TO THRIVE, AND EMPOWER THEM TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE IN THEIR OWN LIVES AND COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $31.7 million
- Spending
- $17.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 58%
- Reserves
- 87.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 149
- Volunteers
- 959
- Highest pay
- $616,353, director/president and ceo
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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 87.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 76% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1558% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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 36% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 10 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)
- $6.1 million spent. COMMUNITY CENTERS & CARING ADULTS CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL PROVIDES ITS MOST COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS WITHIN ITS COMMUNITY CENTERS. NEWER, STATE-OF-THE-ART, FACILITIES HAVE SPECIFIC YOUTH ROOMS AND AREAS, WHICH ARE SEPARATE FROM THE GATHERING SPACES FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN, TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION AND ENHANCE YOUTH ACTIVITIES. WHILE BUILDINGS ARE IMPORTANT, THEY AREN'T WHAT MAKE CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL'S PROGRAMS A SUCCESS; IT'S THE PEOPLE WHO INVEST IN THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. CRITICAL SUPPORT AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTHENING EFFORTS VOLUNTEERS. GLOBALLY, NEARLY 4,000 INDIVIDUALS VOLUNTEER IN SUPPORT OF CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL. THESE TRAINED VOLUNTEERS - TYPICALLY THE PARENTS OF SPONSORED CHILDREN AND YOUTH - CONDUCT FAMILY VISITS IN SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS, ARE OFTEN THE FIRST TO LEARN ABOUT LOCAL AND DOMESTIC ISSUES, AND SERVE AS AN INVALUABLE CONDUIT OF INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE. IN THE PAST, VOLUNTEERS HAVE SUPPORTED CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL DURING NATURAL DISASTERS, UNREST, AND OTHER DISRUPTIONS. THESE INDIVIDUALS ALSO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT TEACH CHILDREN AND YOUTH TO ORGANIZE PROJECTS AND DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS. THEN, THESE DEDICATED ADULTS ENCOURAGE YOUTH TO GIVE BACK THROUGH TUTORING YOUNGER CHILDREN AND LEADING COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. PROFESSIONAL STAFF THE ORGANIZATION'S WORKFORCE COMPRISES IN-COUNTRY NATIONALS WHO SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE AND DIALECT AS THE FAMILIES AND UNDERSTAND THE LOCAL CHALLENGES, CUSTOMS, LAWS, AND SOCIAL NETWORKS OF THE COMMUNITIES WHERE OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES LIVE. ALLIANCES AND PARTNERSHIPS COLLABORATION IS THE KEY TO COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ASSISTANCE. THAT'S WHY CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL IS COMMITTED TO SECURING PARTNERSHIPS FOR GRANT FUNDING AND PRODUCT DONATIONS. THIS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT ALLOWS CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL TO ENHANCE AND SCALE OUR PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. PRODUCT DONATION PARTNERS OF CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL INCLUDE ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE CLEAN THE WORLD FOUNDATION, WHICH DONATES HYGIENE KITS TO AID IN SANITATION AND HEALTH EFFORTS, AND HEART TO HEART INTERNATIONAL, WHICH PROVIDES MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO SUPPORT OUR HEALTH PROMOTION WORK. CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL HAS WORKED COLLABORATIVELY WITH FOUNDATIONS AND OTHER NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS. ITS AGENCIES ALSO WORK IN-COUNTRY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, AND UNIVERSITIES, AS WELL AS BUSINESSES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL DELIVERS A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATION TOOLS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH LIVING IN POVERTY AND THE SOLUTIONS CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL OFFERS. THESE TOOLS INCLUDE JOURNEYS MAGAZINE, DIGITAL NEWSLETTERS, WHITE PAPERS, SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, BLOG POSTS, EDUCATIONAL FLYERS AND BROCHURES, AND PRESS RELEASES. TOGETHER, THESE EFFORTS ARE DESIGNED TO INFORM THE PUBLIC AND RAISE AWARENESS OF THE IMPACT THAT EVEN ONE PERSON CAN HAVE IN HELPING TO LIFT THOSE IN NEED OUT OF THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. TRANSFORMING SPONSORS' LIVES SPONSORSHIP IS FAR MORE THAN AN EFFECTIVE FUNDING MODEL. AT ITS CORE, SPONSORSHIP IS A SHARED EXPERIENCE BETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTOR AND AN INDIVIDUAL BENEFICIARY. WHILE THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THOSE LIVING IN POVERTY, CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL ALSO RECOGNIZES THE POSITIVE IMPACT THIS RELATIONSHIP HAS ON THE CHILD THROUGH ENCOURAGEMENT AND FRIENDSHIP. CONTRIBUTORS ALSO REPORT AN INCREASED SENSE OF PURPOSE AND FULFILLMENT. CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL STRIVES TO SHARE THIS KNOWLEDGE TO ENSURE SPONSORS UNDERSTAND HOW THEIR OWN LIVES MAY BE POSITIVELY TRANSFORMED BY BEING SUPPORTIVE OF THE ORGANIZATION, SPONSORED CHILDREN, AND YOUTH. CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL OFFERS ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT ITS MISSION AND VISION. DONORS HAVE THE OPTION TO FUND PROGRAMS SUCH AS TUTORING, MUSIC, DANCE, EMPLOYMENT, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND MORE. SUPPORTERS OF CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL ALSO EXPERIENCE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR OWN LIVES. BY JOINING FORCES WITH THE ORGANIZATION, SUPPORTERS BECOME PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER - A CARING COMMUNITY THAT DELIVERS LIFE-CHANGING IMPACT TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH AROUND THE WORLD. EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS EMPLOYMENT IS THE LAST PIECE IN THE BREAKING-FREE-FROM-POVERTY PUZZLE. IN ADDITION TO HEALTH, EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT, A JOB GIVES YOUNG PEOPLE STABILITY, PURPOSE AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. CI WORKS TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS BETWEEN OUR YOUTH AND QUALITY EMPLOYMENT. YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY OFTEN HAVE LESS INFORMATION ABOUT THE JOB MARKET, AND LESS ACCESS TO JOB-READINESS RESOURCES. BARRIERS TO EDUCATION, TECHNICAL TRAINING AND LIFE-SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTE TO THE GAP. INTO EMPLOYMENT TECHNICAL TRAINING, JOB-READINESS SKILLS AND JOB-PLACEMENT SUPPORT CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE TO UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUNG PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO BREAK INTO THE FORMAL JOB MARKET. INTO EMPLOYMENT PROVIDES PARTICIPANTS WITH SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL AND JOB-SKILLS TRAINING, TAILORED TO THE GAPS IN LOCAL LABOR MARKETS. THE PROGRAM HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP THEIR TECHNICAL, JOB-READINESS AND LIFE SKILLS; FIND A STABLE JOB; AND CREATE A LONG-TERM CAREER PLAN. POST-SECONDARY SCHOLARSHIPS COLLEGE AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS REDUCE THE BARRIERS TO CONTINUING EDUCATION, WHICH CAN HELP OUR SPONSORED YOUTH COMPETE FOR HIGHER PAYING, QUALITY JOBS. THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS A COMPETITIVE, RENEWABLE POST-SECONDARY GRANT FOR UNIVERSITY AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOL STUDENTS. STUDENTS HAVE TO APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP AND MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS TO KEEP IT (SUCH AS MINIMUM GRADES, VOLUNTEER HOURS AND COMPLETING THE ACADEMIC YEAR). SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS RECEIVE JOB-READINESS AND LIFE-SKILLS TRAINING IN ADDITION TO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. CAREER READINESS JOB-READINESS SKILLS, CAREER-APPLICABLE LIFE SKILLS AND JOB-PLACEMENT SUPPORT GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO FIND-AND COMPETE FOR-QUALITY EMPLOYMENT. THE CAREER READINESS PROGRAM HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE PREPARE TO ENTER THE MODERN WORKFORCE THROUGH A V
- $4.0 million spent. CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL CREATES PERSONAL, TRANSFORMATIVE AND IMPACTFUL RELATIONSHIPS AND OFFERS SUPPORTERS A WAY TO INVEST IN THE HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF A CHILD WITH THE ULTIMATE FOCUS ON EMPLOYABILITY TO HELP ITS GRADUATES BREAK THE GENERATIONAL CYCLE OF POVERTY. THIS IS DONE PRIMARILY THROUGH LOCALLY STAFFED COMMUNITY CENTERS AND VOLUNTEERS. CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL HAS SET FORTH A VISION OF BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO END POVERTY FOR GOOD. ITS AIM IS TO CREATE A WORLD WITHOUT POVERTY WHERE EVERY CHILD, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY IS CONNECTED, PRODUCTIVE AND THRIVING. THE ORGANIZATION CONNECTS PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD, FACILITATING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS SOCIOECONOMIC AND CULTURAL BOUNDARIES. CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL BELIEVES EVERYONE SHARES THIS BASIC HUMAN RIGHT: TO LIVE FREE FROM POVERTY FOR GOOD. ITS APPROACH TO DELIVERING HOPE AND A STRATEGIC PATHWAY TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY FOCUSES ON FOUR SPECIFIC CORE AREAS: HEALTH SERVICES, EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, LIFE SKILLS AND EMPLOYABILITY. THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS, THE ORGANIZATION STRATEGICALLY PROVIDES THE SERVICES, TRAINING AND OPPORTUNITIES CHILDREN AND YOUTH NEED TO BECOME SUSTAINABLY EMPLOYED ADULTS. HEALTH PROMOTION HEALTH PROMOTION FOCUSES ON INTERVENTION TO RESPOND TO LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH NEEDS AND MORE CONNECTIONS WITH PUBLIC PROMOTION CAMPAIGNS. THE PROGRAM ALSO HELPS FAMILIES NAVIGATE LOCAL HEALTH SYSTEMS, ENSURING SUPPORT FOR REFERRALS. SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY SPONSORED CHILDREN AND YOUTH AND FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS BENEFIT THROUGH ACCESSING SERVICES AT EACH AGENCY PARTNER SITE, INCLUDING DONATIONS FROM GIK, SUCH AS MEDICAL CONSUMABLES & DRUGS, TRIAGING EQUIPMENT SUCH AS THERMOMETERS, WEIGHT SCALES AND EXAMINATION BEDS. CONTINUOUS ENGAGEMENT AND CAPTIVATION OF PARTNERS IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTATION, ENABLES COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT, STRENGTHENS THE TRUST STAKEHOLDERS HAVE IN CI, AND FACILITATES STAKEHOLDERS' RESPONSIVENESS. CHILD SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL (CI) EMPLOYS A CHILD SAFEGUARDING POLICY AND PROTOCOLS TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN. IMPLEMENTATION INCLUDES THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE IN THE FORM OF TRAINING FOR STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, CHILDREN AND YOUTH, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, AND THE REPORTING AND SUPPORT OF ALL CASES OF ABUSE TO SPONSORED CHILDREN AND YOUTH. CI PROVIDES PSYCHOLOGICAL, MEDICAL, LEGAL, FINANCIAL, AND OTHER SUPPORT TO SPONSORED CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO EXPERIENCE ABUSE AND ENDANGERMENT. EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT ECCD PROGRAMMING IS CRUCIAL FOR YOUNG CHILDREN TO SUPPORT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT, SOCIALIZATION, LEARNING, SCHOOL READINESS AND HEALTH OUTCOMES. WE DELIVER INTEGRATED COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH, NUTRITION AND PRESCHOOL SERVICES; ENGAGE CAREGIVERS AND LOCAL PARTNERS TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES; AND TRAIN STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS TO DEVELOP THEIR ECCD CAPACITIES. EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS PROVIDE CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH THE ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND RESOURCES, SUCH AS BOOKS, COMPUTERS, DIGITAL SKILLS AND STEAM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS, MATH) EXPOSURE. TUTORING THE TUTORING PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS SUCCEED IN SCHOOL WITH ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE ALIGNED WITH LOCAL CURRICULA. TRADITIONALLY, CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL TUTORING PROGRAMS MEET TWO TO THREE TIMES PER WEEK WITH TRAINED TUTORS. LIFE SKILLS OUR LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM EXPOSES CHILDREN TO MUSIC AND ART, STRENGTHENS LEADERSHIP SKILLS, ENHANCES DIGITAL ABILITIES AND MORE. EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING THE EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING PROGRAM TEACHES CHILDREN AND YOUTH HOW TO SELF-CARE, SELF-CALM AND IDENTIFY EMOTIONS. THE PROGRAM IS BASED ON CURRICULUM DEVELOPED BY TURNING POINT PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HEALTH SYSTEM. LIVING IN POVERTY LEADS TO STRESS AND EMOTIONAL STRAIN, WHICH MAKES IT THAT MUCH HARDER TO BREAK OUT. THIS PROGRAM HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE BUILD VITAL LIFE SKILLS, SO THEY CAN STAY MENTALLY HEALTHY TO HELP THEM BREAK THE CYCLE OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY.
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1971.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.