Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The Childrens Center

EIN 52-1317062 · Franklin, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO NURTURE AND EDUCATE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES

Income
$12.8 million
Spending
$12.6 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 87%
Employees
246
Volunteers
459
Highest pay
$101,147, former exe d

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (3)
  1. $8.9 million spent. HEAD START & EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS HEAD START PROVIDES FAMILY-CENTERED SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FROM AGES THREE TO FIVE. HEAD START PROMOTES THE PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH OF THE YOUNG CHILDREN AS WELL AS SUPPORTS PARENTS' ROLES AS PRIMARY CAREGIVERS AND EDUCATORS. EARLY HEAD START PROVIDES EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF THREE. ALL CHILDREN ARE PROVIDED WITH DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING. SERVICES ARE OFFERED THROUGH FULL-TIME CHILD CARE AND HOME VISITS FOR PARENT EDUCATION AND SUPPORT.
  2. $1.4 million spent. EARLY INTERVENTION/PART C PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN WHO ARE BIRTH TO THREE YEARS OF AGE AND HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS OR DISABILITIES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH INFORMATION, SUPPORT, AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO ENCOURAGE THEIR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT. CHILDREN ENROLLED OFTEN HAVE COMPLEX NEEDS INCLUDING HEALTH IMPRAIRMENTS. PEDIATIC THERAPY SERVICES ARE ALSO OFFERED. A SERVICE COORDINATOR HELPS ENSURE THAT SERVICES ARE COORDINATED WITH HEALTH CARE AND OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES. SERVICES SUBJECT TO FEES ARE OFFERED ON A SLIDING FEE SCALE BASED ON THE FAMILIES' ABILITY TO PAY. NO CHILD IS DECLINED SERVICES BECAUSE OF AN INABILITY TO PAY.
  3. $730,902 spent. EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM PROVIDES LICENSED CHILD CARE AND EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE SIX WEEKS OF AGE THROUGH FIVE YEARS OF AGE. THE CENTERS PROVIDE CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES IN AN INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

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 1984.

    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.