Vocel Viewing Our Children As Emerging Leaders NFP
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
VOCEL's mission is to help ensure every child has the foundation to learn, grow and lead. We provide two-generation early childhood education programming for young children, families and schools in under-resourced communities aiming to support early brain development and build foundation for academic and life success.
- Income
- $3.5 million
- Spending
- $2.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 9.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 86%
- Employees
- 20
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $143,365, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 110% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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
0 of 7Reports no 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 June 30, 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)
- $670,745 spent. The Child Parent Academy is a multi-generational and fully integrated preschool readiness and parent support program for young children (age 0 - 5) and their parents (or caregiver). The VOCEL Child Parent Academy fosters and strengthens skills children will need to succeed inside and outside the classroom. The program is offered in 18 sites on Chicago west and south side neighborhoods.
- $302,613 spent. Building Early Learning Leaders (BELL) is a program focused on coaching school leaders and helping them to establish their vision for Pre-K learning excellence in their schools.
- $326,420 spent. The EETC Fellowship, helps Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers in Chicago Public Schools create action plans to implement key priorities for improvement at their schools, bolstered by a community of support in the fellowship cohort.
- $306,618 spent. Powered by VOCEL , is similar to The Child Parent Academy, Powered by VOCEL is offered at nine school sites in Chicago. Rather than being led by VOCEL staff members, Powered by VOCEL is led by parent and caregiver leaders from within the school community, who are trained and supported by VOCEL staff.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 2025.
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 August 2013.
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.