Connecting for Kids of Westlake Ohio
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CONNECTING FOR KIDS IS A LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION TO PROVIDE RESOURCES, SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY TO FAMILIES IN NORTHEAST OHIO WHO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR CHILD. THE ORGANIZATION SERVE ALL FAMILIES, INCLUDING THOSE CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT DIAGNOSES.
- Income
- $390,474
- Spending
- $411,402
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 2.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 66%
- Employees
- 20
- Volunteers
- 163
- Highest pay
- $53,176, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 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 July 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 (3)
- $350,668 spent. FAMILY PROGRAMMING CONNECTING FOR KIDS OFFERED 157 FREE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT CUYAHOGA AND LORAIN COUNTIES LAST ACADEMIC YEAR, SERVING MORE THAN 2,640 PARTICIPANTS. DURING THESE PROGRAMS, WE OFFERED FREE CHILD CARE STAFFED BY EXPERTS IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPLEMENTED BY VOLUNTEERS. SPEAKER SERIES PROGRAMS FEATURED LOCAL, PEDIATRIC PROFESSIONALS GIVING PRESENTATIONS ON VARIOUS CHILDHOOD TOPICS, INCLUDING: AUTISM 101, PERFECTIONISM IN GIFTED AND ANXIOUS KIDS; WHAT'S EATING YOU? EATING DISORDERS & MENTAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN; THE UGLY HOUR; AND NAVIGATING WELL-BEING IN A DIGITAL AGE. SHARE & SUPPORT GROUPS ALLOW FAMILIES TO MEET OTHERS FACING SIMILAR CONCERNS. SESSIONS FEATURED DURING THE PROGRAM YEAR INCLUDED LGBTQ+ CAREGIVER CONNECT; SOLO PARENTING, PARENTING IS LONELY; BALANCING ACT: HOW TO DEAL WITH AN UNEVEN MENTAL LOAD; HOP ON POP: DAD'S ADAPTED PLAY & CONNECT; AND AS WELL AS TWO SESSIONS WITH TOPICS FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX NEEDS. WORKSHOPS INCLUDED THE POPULAR BEHAVIOR CHATS, OFFERED SEVERAL TIMES THROUGH THE ACADEMIC YEAR, AS WELL AS AUTISM & CAREGIVING, YOUR JOY & GRIEF MATTER: A WORKSHOP FOR BLACK AMERICAN CAREGIVERS; BUILDING A TOOLBOX: PRACTICAL WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD WITH COPING SKILLS; SIBLING SOLUTIONS: HOW TO DEAL WITH CONFLICT, COMPETITION AND DIFFERING NEEDS; PICKY EATING AND PROBLEM FEEDING; NAVIGATING IEPS, 504S AND ETRS; AND BOOK DISCUSSIONS: THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD AND OUT OF MY MIND; NAVIGATING SHARED STRUGGLES: TOOLS FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN; AND ADOLESCENCE & ADVOCACY: HEALTHCARE TRANSITION PLANNING FOR PUBERTY. FOR CHILDREN, WE OFFER ADAPTED PLAYGROUPS AND MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAMS THAT INTEGRATE A CAREGIVER LEARNING COMPONENT. THESE CHILD AND ADULT PROGRAMS BRING THE FAMILIES INTO COMMUNITY SPACES AT LOCAL LIBRARIES TO CONNECT AND LEARN WITH OTHER FAMILIES. MUSIC THERAPY & MORE IS A HANDS-ON PROGRAM LED BY A BOARD-CERTIFIED MUSIC THERAPIST. IT IS DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN AGES 0-6 YEARS WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN AN AREA OF DEVELOPMENT AND TEACHES FAMILIES HOW TO USE MUSIC TO IMPROVE THEIR CHILD'S ACADEMIC, MOTOR, COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL SKILLS AS WELL AS BEHAVIOR. THIS POPULAR PROGRAM HAD 57 SESSIONS DURING 2024-2025, HELD AT SEVEN LIBRARY LOCATIONS. IN ADDITION, SIX SESSIONS OF THIS PROGRAM TARGETED AT THOSE AGES 7-12 WITH COMPLEX NEEDS AND DISABILITIES WERE ALSO HELD. DURING THE PROGRAM YEAR, CFK OFFERED NINE SESSIONS OF INCLUSIVE DROP-IN PLAYGROUPS AND 23 SESSIONS OF ADAPTED PLAYGROUPS. PLAYGROUPS ARE DESIGNED TO OFFER A SAFE, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH CONCERNS ABOUT DEVELOPMENT. A NEW PLAYGROUP LOCATION WAS ADDED IN OBERLIN DURING THE PROGRAM YEAR. FAMILY PROGRAMMING CONNECTING FOR KIDS OFFERED 157 FREE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT CUYAHOGA AND LORAIN COUNTIES LAST ACADEMIC YEAR, SERVING MORE THAN 2,640 PARTICIPANTS. DURING THESE PROGRAMS, WE OFFERED FREE CHILD CARE STAFFED BY EXPERTS IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPLEMENTED BY VOLUNTEERS. SPEAKER SERIES PROGRAMS FEATURED LOCAL, PEDIATRIC PROFESSIONALS GIVING PRESENTATIONS ON VARIOUS CHILDHOOD TOPICS, INCLUDING: AUTISM 101, PERFECTIONISM IN GIFTED AND ANXIOUS KIDS; WHAT'S EATING YOU? EATING DISORDERS & MENTAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN; THE UGLY HOUR; AND NAVIGATING WELL-BEING IN A DIGITAL AGE. SHARE & SUPPORT GROUPS ALLOW FAMILIES TO MEET OTHERS FACING SIMILAR CONCERNS. SESSIONS FEATURED DURING THE PROGRAM YEAR INCLUDED LGBTQ+ CAREGIVER CONNECT; SOLO PARENTING, PARENTING IS LONELY; BALANCING ACT: HOW TO DEAL WITH AN UNEVEN MENTAL LOAD; HOP ON POP: DAD'S ADAPTED PLAY & CONNECT; AND AS WELL AS TWO SESSIONS WITH TOPICS FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX NEEDS. WORKSHOPS INCLUDED THE POPULAR BEHAVIOR CHATS, OFFERED SEVERAL TIMES THROUGH THE ACADEMIC YEAR, AS WELL AS AUTISM & CAREGIVING, YOUR JOY & GRIEF MATTER: A WORKSHOP FOR BLACK AMERICAN CAREGIVERS; BUILDING A TOOLBOX: PRACTICAL WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD WITH COPING SKILLS; SIBLING SOLUTIONS: HOW TO DEAL WITH CONFLICT, COMPETITION AND DIFFERING NEEDS; PICKY EATING AND PROBLEM FEEDING; NAVIGATING IEPS, 504S AND ETRS; AND BOOK DISCUSSIONS: THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD AND OUT OF MY MIND; NAVIGATING SHARED STRUGGLES: TOOLS FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN; AND ADOLESCENCE & ADVOCACY: HEALTHCARE TRANSITION PLANNING FOR PUBERTY. FOR CHILDREN, WE OFFER ADAPTED PLAYGROUPS AND MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAMS THAT INTEGRATE A CAREGIVER LEARNING COMPONENT. THESE CHILD AND ADULT PROGRAMS BRING THE FAMILIES INTO COMMUNITY SPACES AT LOCAL LIBRARIES TO CONNECT AND LEARN WITH OTHER FAMILIES. MUSIC THERAPY & MORE IS A HANDS-ON PROGRAM LED BY A BOARD-CERTIFIED MUSIC THERAPIST. IT IS DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN AGES 0-6 YEARS WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN AN AREA OF DEVELOPMENT AND TEACHES FAMILIES HOW TO USE MUSIC TO IMPROVE THEIR CHILD'S ACADEMIC, MOTOR, COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL SKILLS AS WELL AS BEHAVIOR. THIS POPULAR PROGRAM HAD 57 SESSIONS DURING 2024-2025, HELD AT SEVEN LIBRARY LOCATIONS. IN ADDITION, SIX SESSIONS OF THIS PROGRAM TARGETED AT THOSE AGES 7-12 WITH COMPLEX NEEDS AND DISABILITIES WERE ALSO HELD. DURING THE PROGRAM YEAR, CFK OFFERED NINE SESSIONS OF INCLUSIVE DROP-IN PLAYGROUPS AND 23 SESSIONS OF ADAPTED PLAYGROUPS. PLAYGROUPS ARE DESIGNED TO OFFER A SAFE, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH CONCERNS ABOUT DEVELOPMENT. A NEW PLAYGROUP LOCATION WAS ADDED IN OBERLIN DURING THE PROGRAM YEAR.
- FAMILY RESOURCES DURING THE 2024-2025 PROGRAM YEAR, THE CONNECTING FOR KIDS STAFF CONNECTED MORE THAN 2,040 FAMILIES WITH RESOURCES, INFORMATION AND SUPPORT. ASK US 1:1 SESSIONS ALLOW FAMILIES TO REGISTER FOR A 30-MINUTE TIME SLOT AND MEET WITH A FAMILY RESOURCE SPECIALIST (FRS). DURING THESE ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS, FAMILIES CAN GET INFORMATION ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS, INCLUDING SCHOOL STRUGGLES, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, BEHAVIOR CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS ON SPECIFIC DIAGNOSES. TIME SLOTS ARE AVAILABLE BY PHONE OR VIRTUALLY. THE FRS CONNECTS PARENTS TO LOCAL TUTORS, ADVOCATES, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS, BEHAVIOR SPECIALISTS, PEDIATRIC PROVIDERS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS, ACADEMIC SUPPORTS, PARENT MENTORS, SOCIAL SKILLS GROUPS AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS TO HELP THEIR CHILD. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED RESOURCES, INCLUDING PODCASTS AND BOOKS. THE CONNECTING FOR KIDS ONLINE SERVICE PROVIDER DIRECTORY WAS UPDATED WITH A NEW MAP FEATURE AND UPGRADES TO MAKE THE DIRECTORY OF 650 PROVIDERS EASILY SEARCHABLE. PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS CAN ACCESS THE DIRECTORY ON THEIR OWN THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE OR GET HELP NAVIGATING IT THROUGH AN ASK US 1:1 SESSION. IN ADDITION, 1,500 INDIVIDUALS ARE PART OF THE CFK FAMILIES FACEBOOK GROUP, WHERE THEY CAN ASK QUESTIONS AND GET SUPPORT FROM OTHER LOCAL FAMILIES. UNLIKE OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DIAGNOSIS SPECIFIC, CONNECTING FOR KIDS OFFERS RESOURCES FOR A NUMBER OF CONCERNS, INCLUDING ANXIETY, ATTENTION ISSUES, DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS, EPILEPSY AND SENSORY ISSUES. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HELPS FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY MAKING FRIENDS, STRUGGLING ACADEMICALLY, OR FACING A MAJOR LIFE CHANGE, SUCH AS PARENTS DIVORCING. FAMILY RESOURCES DURING THE 2024-2025 PROGRAM YEAR, THE CONNECTING FOR KIDS STAFF CONNECTED MORE THAN 2,040 FAMILIES WITH RESOURCES, INFORMATION AND SUPPORT. ASK US 1:1 SESSIONS ALLOW FAMILIES TO REGISTER FOR A 30-MINUTE TIME SLOT AND MEET WITH A FAMILY RESOURCE SPECIALIST (FRS). DURING THESE ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS, FAMILIES CAN GET INFORMATION ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS, INCLUDING SCHOOL STRUGGLES, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, BEHAVIOR CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS ON SPECIFIC DIAGNOSES. TIME SLOTS ARE AVAILABLE BY PHONE OR VIRTUALLY. THE FRS CONNECTS PARENTS TO LOCAL TUTORS, ADVOCATES, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS, BEHAVIOR SPECIALISTS, PEDIATRIC PROVIDERS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS, ACADEMIC SUPPORTS, PARENT MENTORS, SOCIAL SKILLS GROUPS AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS TO HELP THEIR CHILD. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED RESOURCES, INCLUDING PODCASTS AND BOOKS. THE CONNECTING FOR KIDS ONLINE SERVICE PROVIDER DIRECTORY WAS UPDATED WITH A NEW MAP FEATURE AND UPGRADES TO MAKE THE DIRECTORY OF 650 PROVIDERS EASILY SEARCHABLE. PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS CAN ACCESS THE DIRECTORY ON THEIR OWN THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE OR GET HELP NAVIGATING IT THROUGH AN ASK US 1:1 SESSION. IN ADDITION, 1,500 INDIVIDUALS ARE PART OF THE CFK FAMILIES FACEBOOK GROUP, WHERE THEY CAN ASK QUESTIONS AND GET SUPPORT FROM OTHER LOCAL FAMILIES. UNLIKE OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DIAGNOSIS SPECIFIC, CONNECTING FOR KIDS OFFERS RESOURCES FOR A NUMBER OF CONCERNS, INCLUDING ANXIETY, ATTENTION ISSUES, DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS, EPILEPSY AND SENSORY ISSUES. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HELPS FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY MAKING FRIENDS, STRUGGLING ACADEMICALLY, OR FACING A MAJOR LIFE CHANGE, SUCH AS PARENTS DIVORCING.
- RESOURCE FAIRS IN THE SPRING OF 2025, MORE THAN 1,030 PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED THREE NORTHEAST OHIO RESOURCE FAIR LOCATIONS IN EASTERN AND WESTERN CUYAHOGA COUNTY AND LORAIN COUNTY. EACH OF THESE FAIRS WAS FILLED WITH 70 DISABILITY AND MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS OFFERING THERAPY OPTIONS, ADAPTED CAMPS, FUNDING SOURCES, RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS, TRANSITION AND OTHER SERVICES. PARTICIPANTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND IN PERSON AND VISIT WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THESE ORGANIZATIONS. THOSE WITH LIMITED TIME WERE INVITED TO PICK UP A GRAB & GO RESOURCE BAG IN THE PARKING LOTS OF THE EVENTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, 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 July 2025.
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 September 2012.
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.