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Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood

EIN 58-1863104 · Cary, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LUCY DANIELS CENTER HELPS CHILDREN LIVE EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY LIVES THROUGH IN-DEPTH EVALUATION AND TREATMENT, FAMILY INVOLVEMENT, AND EDUCATION.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 52%
Employees
40
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$195,266, director of medicine

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 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 August 31, 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)
  1. $616,909 spent. LUCY DANIELS CENTER SCHOOL- OUR SCHOOL PROVIDES A NURTURING, THERAPEUTIC ACADEMIC SETTING FOR STUDENTS PRESCHOOL THROUGH ELEMENTARY YEARS, IN WHICH TO THRIVE. THE SCHOOL RECENTLY EXPANDED TO INCLUDE FIFTH GRADE, ENABLING US TO PRIVIDE MORE INTENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR OLDER CHILDREN. CLASSES OF EACH GRADE LEVEL WERE FILLED AND OPERATED AT OR NEAR FULL CAPACITY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
  2. $937,671 spent. FAMILY GUIDANCE SERVICES - THE ON-SITE, OUT-PATIENT CLINIC SERVED NEARLY 400 CHILDREN THIS PAST YEAR, PROVIDING THERAPY, PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING, AND MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS.
  3. $672,117 spent. SECUREPATH- OUR OUTREACH PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN FROM BIRTH THROUGH AGE FIVE THAT ARE UNINSURED OR UNDERSERVED.
  4. $178,210 spent. LUCY DANIELS CENTER 4 EARLY SUCCESS - WE OFFER VARIOUS WORKSHOPS AND SPECIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS. PROGRAMS OFFERED INCLUDE: LUCY'S BOOK CLUB, WHICH PROVIDES FREE APPROPRIATE READING MATERIAL STRESSING POSITIVE EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL SKILLS TO AREA CHILDCARE CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE TRIANGLE; LUCY'S LINK, PROVIDES FREE ASSESMENTS OF CHILDREN IN THEIR HOME OR CHILDCARE SETTING; AND FIRST FRIENDS, A SOCIAL SKILLS PROGRAM COMPOSED OF WEEKDAY PROGRAMS AND SUMMER CAMP.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 March 1990.

    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.