The Committee for Missing Children Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
- Only 8% of its spending went to programs.
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 102 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The organization is a parent advocacy group. It assists parents of missing children by providing the assistance that they deserve and ensuring that their rights are protected.
- Income
- $800,195
- Spending
- $938,134
- Spent on programs
- 8%
- Reserves
- -1.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 2
- Highest pay
- $29,975, director - ceo
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
Weak: 10 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 248% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 158% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 102 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $72,667 spent. Case Management and Parent Advocacy - Case management is the development of a detailed case folder. Not all parents calling the organization for assistance would warrant the development of a case folder. Much of what is done is disseminating information on how to locate their children or options what a parent can do immediately, such as, contact friends, file a police report, register with the NCMEC, etc. Most of this is geared to runaways. The organization offers a 24/7 service and is listed in most telephone books and relevant internet sites Informational database - Both the organiations library and website were developed to assist anyone who is interested to learn about child abduction or wish to learn how to proceed to recover a lost or missing child. While the website was developed to assist law enforcment agencies, it appears that such agencies have not utilized its extensive degree of information. Included in the library and website are a significant number of case histories, which have been litigated worldwide. Much of this vital information is the result of the work of California attorney William Hilton, as well as experience from the organization itself. Safety and Education - The Committee offers free of charge safety materials, such as ID kits, safety posters, as well as a series of stuffed animals with safety slogans imprinted on their shirts. Two examples of saftey slogans are (1) We never forget a missing child and (2) Finding missing chil
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
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 October 13, 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 August 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 December 1996.
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 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.