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Early Childhood Connections

EIN 46-0439068 · Rapid City, SD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceFair55 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INCREASE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS' (HOME AND CENTER) AND PARENTS' KNOWLEDGE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO ENABLE THEM TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
17
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$92,958, 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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)
  1. $912,313 spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD CONNECTIONS PROVIDES TRAINING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO ADULTS WHO CARE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN IN HOMES, CHILD CARE CENTERS, PRESCHOOLS, AND HEAD START PROGRAMS. IN 2024 EARLY CHILDHOOD CONNECTIONS IMPACTED 1,042 INDIVIDUAL CHILD CARE PROVIDERS THROUGH TRAINING OR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. EARLY CHILDHOOD CONNECTIONS PROVIDED 854 HOURS OF EDUCATION THROUGH IN-PERSON AND ONLINE CLASSES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2024. MANY PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED MORE THAN ONE CLASS.
  2. $504,345 spent. THE RAPID CITY STARTING STRONG INITIATIVE SEEKS TO PROVIDE A VOLUNTARY, COMMUNITY-BASED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO HELP 3-AND 4-YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN POVERTY ACCESS QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH QUALIFIED PROGRAM PROVIDERS OF THE PARENT'S CHOICE. IN 2024, THE PROGRAM RECEIVED $960,667 IN DONATIONS. IN 2024, $259,871 WAS USED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR EARLY EDUCATION AND $244,474 WAS AWARDED TO CHILDCARE FACILITIES FOR QUALITY AND SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS.

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

  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 October 13, 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 2024.

    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 1996.

    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 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.