Variety-The Childrens Charity International
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 53 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
We empower children who are sick, disadvantaged, or living with disabilities through life-changing programs that provide medical care, mobility, education, and support to live without limits.
- Income
- $622,045
- Spending
- $716,672
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 17.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 81%
- Employees
- 4
- Highest pay
- $106,977, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 53 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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 September 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)
- $580,684 spent. ALL CHILDREN ARE SPECIAL. HOWEVER, VARIETY THE CHILDRENS CHARITYS PURPOSE IS TO SERVE CHILDREN WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE CHILDREN WHO LIVE AND GROW UP WITH A SERIOUS ILLNESS, DISABILITY OR DISADVANTAGE. THESE ARE EXTRA SPECIAL CHILDREN WHO REQUIRE A SPECIAL KIND OF HELP. THAT HELP IS YOU AND VARIETY THE CHILDRENS CHARITY. UNDER FOUR CORE PROGRAMS VARIETY THE CHILDRENS CHARITY DELIVERS ON ITS PROMISE TO PROVIDE A FUTURE WITHOUT LIMITS FOR EVERY CHILD, REGARDLESS OF THEIR BACKGROUND OR ABILITY, AND TO BE THE MOST TRUSTED AND EFFECTIVE CHILDRENS CHARITY IN THE WORLD. 1.VARIETYS CARE PROGRAM DELIVERS CRITICAL LIFE-SAVING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES, HEALTHCARE AND WELL-BEING TO INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN AND CHILDRENS HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS. 2.VARIETYS FREEDOM PROGRAM DELIVERS VITAL LIFE-CHANGING EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES FOR MOBILITY, INDEPENDENCE AND SOCIAL INCLUSION TO INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN AND CHILDRENS ORGANIZATIONS. 3.VARIETYS FUTURE PROGRAM DELIVERS CRUCIAL LIFE-ENRICHING COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES, EDUCATION AND SELF-ESTEEM TO INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN AND CHILDRENS ORGANIZATIONS. 4.VARIETYS INTERNATIONAL CHILDRENS FUND DELIVERS IMPERATIVE MOBILITY EQUIPMENT FOR CHILDREN IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. UNLIKE MOST CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT FOCUS ON A SINGLE AREA PROBLEM OR ISSUE, VARIETY FOCUSES ON MULTIPLE UNMET NEEDS OF CHILDREN WHO ARE SICK, DISADVANTAGED OR LIVE WITH DISABILITIES AND OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS AT A LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL. OUR AIM IS TO MAXIMIZE THE REAL, LONG-TERM POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT FOR ALL CHILDREN.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 November 6, 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 September 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 May 1965.
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 November 4, 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.