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Care to Learn

EIN 47-1494384 · Springfield, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF CARE TO LEARN IS TO MEET CHILDREN'S EMERGENT HEALTH, HUNGER, AND HYGIENE NEEDS SO THEY CAN SUCCEED IN SCHOOL. OUR UNIQUE MODEL ALLOWS UP TO PARTNER WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES TO FORM A LOCAL CHAPTER THAT EMPOWERS SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF TO IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFY AND MEET THEIR STUDENTS' BASIC NEEDS.

Income
$5.0 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 50%
Employees
13
Volunteers
3,685
Highest pay
$179,901, ceo

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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (1)
  1. $3.6 million spent. OUR VISION IS ALL STUDENTS HAVE THE CONFIDENCE, SELF-WORTH, AND RESOURCES TO MAXIMIZE THEIR LEARNING POTENTIAL AND BECOME SELF SUFFICIENT CITIZENS. OUR GOAL IS SIMPLE; TO PARTNER WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES TO FORM A LOCAL CHAPTER THAT EMPOWERS SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF TO IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFY AND MEET THEIR STUDENTS' BASIC NEEDS. CARE TO LEARN HAS OPERATED SINCE 2008 AND, SINCE THAT TIME HAS PROVIDED MET STUDENTS HEALTH, HUNGER, AND HYGIENE NEEDS OVER 4,657,376 TIMES. CARE TO LEARN HAS FILLED OVER 302,573 NEEDS IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR. A NEED IS EACH TIME ONE CHILD IS GIVEN ONE ITEM/ITEMS TO MEET AN EMERGENT HEALTH, HUNGER, OR HYGIENE NEED. SINCE CARE TO LEARN'S FOUNDING, WE HAVE FILLED OVER 4,868,559 STUDENT NEEDS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) CARE TO LEARN STARTED WITH ONE CHAPTER IN SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN 2008 AND AS OF JUNE 30, 2025, HAD 45 SCHOOL DISTRICT CHAPTERS. CARE TO LEARN USES A CONSISTENT PARTNERSHIP MODEL TO ENSURE WE CAN CONSISTENTLY MEET STUDENT NEEDS. CARE TO LEARN WORKS WITH THE CHAPTER TO IDENTIFY THE UNMET NEEDS OF UNDER RESOURCED STUDENTS. THEN CARE TO LEARN WORKS WITH THE CHAPTER AND COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP FUNDING FOR THE BASIC HEALTH, HUNGER, AND HYGIENE NEEDS IDENTIFIED. CHAPTERS THEN FILL THE NEEDS AND CARE TO LEARN MANAGES THE PAYMENTS AND FUNDS. ONE OF OUR CORE VALUES IS NO RED TAPE. WE DO NOT ASK THAT STUDENTS MEET ANY QUALIFICATIONS. IF A STUDENT NEEDS HELP AND A SCHOOL OFFICIAL AGREES THERE IS A NEED, IT IS MET. EACH CHAPTER IS UNIQUE BASED ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S AND THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS AND RESOURCES. HOWEVER, AT LEAST 37 OF OUR 45 CHAPTERS HAVE BACKPACK PROGRAMS OR FOOD PANTRIES WITHIN THE SCHOOL THAT CARE TO LEARN FUNDS. EACH CHAPTER ALSO WORKS TO FILL HYGIENE NEEDS WITH DEODORANT, TOOTHBRUSHES, TOOTHPASTE, LICE KITS, ETC. HEALTH ISSUES TYPICALLY INCLUDE FUNDING FOR PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE, EYEGLASSES, DENTAL/ORTHODONTIC NEEDS, AND DOCTOR VISITS.

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

  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 June 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 January 2015.

    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.