Sprouts Child Development Initiative Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE CHALLENGE: IDENTIFYING AND RESPONDING TO DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS. EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE EARLIEST IDENTIFICATION AND INTERVENTION POSSIBLE, TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS, IS CLEAR AND UNEQUIVOCAL. EARLY INTERVENTION HAS A PROFOUND IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES; THE KEY TO SUCCESS, HOWEVER, IS EARLY IDENTIFICATION THROUGH SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT. ABSENT THESE VITAL SERVICES, FROM BIRTH TO AGE FIVE, CHILDREN FREQUENTLY ENTER SCHOOL REQUIRING MORE INTENSIVE AND COSTLY SUPPORT, AND RARELY IF EVER CATCH UP TO THEIR PEERS. NATIONALLY, EASTERSEALS ESTIMATES THAT OF THE FIVE MILLION CHILDREN UNDER AGE FIVE AT RISK FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY, ONLY ONE MILLION ARE IDENTIFIED AND RECEIVE NEEDED EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES PRIOR TO ENTERING SCHOOL. GENERALLY, ONLY THOSE UNDER AGE FIVE WITH THE HIGHEST NEED, WHO MEET FEDERAL IDEA (INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT) CRITERIA (A 25% DELAY IN 2 OR MORE AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT OR A 5
- Income
- $2.3 million
- Spending
- $2.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 61%
- Reserves
- -1.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 70%
- Employees
- 41
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $109,620, 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
Weak: 27 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 356% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 35% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1561% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
- $1.5 million spent. THE CHALLENGE: IDENTIFYING AND RESPONDING TO DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS. EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE EARLIEST IDENTIFICATION AND INTERVENTION POSSIBLE, TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS, IS CLEAR AND UNEQUIVOCAL. EARLY INTERVENTION HAS A PROFOUND IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES; THE KEY TO SUCCESS, HOWEVER, IS EARLY IDENTIFICATION THROUGH SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT. ABSENT THESE VITAL SERVICES, FROM BIRTH TO AGE FIVE, CHILDREN FREQUENTLY ENTER SCHOOL REQUIRING MORE INTENSIVE AND COSTLY SUPPORT, AND RARELY IF EVER CATCH UP TO THEIR PEERS.NATIONALLY, EASTERSEALS ESTIMATES THAT OF THE FIVE MILLION CHILDREN UNDER AGE FIVE AT RISK FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY, ONLY ONE MILLION ARE IDENTIFIED AND RECEIVE NEEDED EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES PRIOR TO ENTERING SCHOOL.
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 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 December 2024.
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 June 2016.
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.