Kids in Distress 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 MISSION OF THE CORPORATION IS TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE, PRESERVE THE FAMILY, AND TREAT CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED AND NEGLECTED.
- Income
- $9.7 million
- Spending
- $12.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- -4.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 67%
- Employees
- 177
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $266,634, ceo/president
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
Weak: 15 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 315% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 25 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
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 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)
- $4.9 million spent. KID FIRST PREVENTION PROGRAM - KIDS IN DISTRESS SERVES THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES ANNUALLY THROUGH PROGRAMS DESIGNED FOR THE PERSERVATION OF THE FAMILIES. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE SUMMER CAMP AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING AND THE KID PRESCHOOL PLUS PROGRAM.
- $3.4 million spent. KID FOSTER CARE DIVISION - KIDS IN DISTRESS SERVES HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN ANNUALLY WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND WHO REQUIRE CARE AND TREATMENT TO COPE WIWTH THE TRAUMA ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VICTIMIZATION. KID PROVIDES SAFE PLACEMENT FOR THESE CHILDREN IN OUR FAMILY FOSTER HOMES LOCATED IN OUR BROWARD CAMPUS AND THROUGH OUR FOSTER CARE PROGRAM, AND CLINICAL INTERVENTION THROUGH OUR FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER ADOPTION SUPPORT PROGRAM. ADDITIONALLY, KID PROVIDES REMEDIAL INTERVENTION FOR THE PARENTS OF THESE CHILDREN THROUGHT OUR REUNIFICATION SERVICES.
- $1.9 million spent. KID PRESCHOOL - KIDS IN DISTRESS SERVES THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES ANNUALLY THROUGH SERICES THAT ARE DEDICATED TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND THE PRESERVATION OF THE FAMILIES. PROGRAMS INCLUDE KID FIRST (FAMILY INTERVENTION, RESPONSE AND SUPPORT TEAM) PROGRAM, HEALTHY START, HEALTHY FAMILIES, KINSHIP AND HOMEBUILDERS.
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
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 June 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 1980.
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.