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Watoto Child Care Ministry Inc

EIN 59-3445250 · Tampa, FL

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

THE ORGANIZATION IS ONE OF SEVEN REPRESENTATIVE SUPPORT OFFICES AROUND THE WORLD THAT SUPPORTS THE WATOTO MINISTRY (WATOTO). WATOTO IS A HOLISTIC CARE PROGRAM THAT WAS INITIATED AS A RESPONSE TO THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF ORPHANED CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE WOMEN IN UGANDA. WATOTO IS POSITIONED TO RESCUE INDIVIDUALS, RAISE EACH ONE AS A LEADER IN THEIR CHOSEN SPHERE OF LIFE SO THAT THEY IN TURN WILL REBUILD THEIR NATION.

Income
$7.3 million
Spending
$7.5 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
21
Volunteers
240
Highest pay
$137,812, dir of devel

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

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 10 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 December 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 (5)
  1. $4.4 million spent. SPONSOR A LIFE PROGRAM - THROUGH THE SPONSORSHIP OF BABIES, CHILDREN, AND VULNERABLE WOMEN, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO WATOTO. WATOTO PROVIDES HOLISTIC CARE TO THOSE IN NEED IN UGANDA. THE HOLISTIC MODEL INVOLVES PHYSICAL CARE, MEDICAL INTERVENTION INCLUDING HIV/AIDS TREATMENT, EDUCATION - BOTH FORMAL AND TECHNICAL, TRAUMA COUNSELING, AND SPIRITUAL DISCIPLESHIP. SO FAR, OVER 1,000 CHILDREN RESCUED BY THE ORGANIZATION HAVE NOW REACHED ADULTHOOD AND HAVE GRADUATED THE PROGRAM WITH THE LIFE SKILLS AND EDUCATION THEY NEED TO BE INDEPENDENT. PROGRAM GRADUATES INCLUDE PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS TEACHERS, DOCTORS, LAWYERS, FARMERS, AND ENGINEERS, AMONG OTHERS. WATOTO IS CONTINUING TO RAISE TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERS, WHO WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT EVERY SPHERE OF SOCIETY, REFORMING UGANDA AND SERVING AS A MODEL FOR THE REST OF AFRICA. SPONSOR A LIFE PROGRAM - THROUGH THE SPONSORSHIP OF BABIES, CHILDREN, AND VULNERABLE WOMEN, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO WATOTO. WATOTO PROVIDES HOLISTIC CARE TO THOSE IN NEED IN UGANDA. THE HOLISTIC MODEL INVOLVES PHYSICAL CARE, MEDICAL INTERVENTION INCLUDING HIV/AIDS TREATMENT, EDUCATION - BOTH FORMAL AND TECHNICAL, TRAUMA COUNSELING, AND SPIRITUAL DISCIPLESHIP. SO FAR, OVER 1,000 CHILDREN RESCUED BY THE ORGANIZATION HAVE NOW REACHED ADULTHOOD AND HAVE GRADUATED THE PROGRAM WITH THE LIFE SKILLS AND EDUCATION THEY NEED TO BE INDEPENDENT. PROGRAM GRADUATES INCLUDE PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS TEACHERS, DOCTORS, LAWYERS, FARMERS, AND ENGINEERS, AMONG OTHERS. WATOTO IS CONTINUING TO RAISE TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERS, WHO WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT EVERY SPHERE OF SOCIETY, REFORMING UGANDA AND SERVING AS A MODEL FOR THE REST OF AFRICA.
  2. $635,967 spent. WATOTO CHILDREN'S CHOIR - THE WATOTO CHILDREN'S CHOIR HAS TRAVELED EXTENSIVELY SINCE 1994, SHARING A MESSAGE OF HOPE FOR AFRICA'S MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND WOMEN. ON ALMOST EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR, THE CHOIR IS PERFORMING SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD. THAT MEANS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE GET TO MEET SOME OF UGANDA'S FUTURE LEADERS. THE CHOIR SERVES MANY PURPOSES. IT RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT THE WORK OF THE WATOTO GLOBALLY. IT ALSO PROVIDES LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR THE CHILDREN, AND PROVIDES A STRONG SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY WHILE EXPERIENCING DIFFERENT CULTURES. MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT'S A WAY THEY SHARE THEIR FAITH WITH PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF AFRICAN ORPHANS.
  3. $205,061 spent. VISIT WATOTO - PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD VISIT WATOTO IN UGANDA. FROM CARING FOR BABIES TO WORKING WITH THE SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS, THERE ARE A VARIETY OF MISSION TRIPS' GROUPS, AND INDIVIDUALS THAT CAN SERVE WATOTO. THE TWO MAIN TYPES OF TEAMS ARE CONSTRUCTION AND MEDICAL TEAMS. CONSTRUCTION TEAMS INCLUDE GROUPS OF PEOPLE OFTEN FROM CHURCHES, THAT TRAVEL TO AFRICA TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL HELP IN THE CHILDREN'S VILLAGES. THIS INCLUDES BUILDING HOMES, CLASSROOMS, OR OTHER VITAL STRUCTURES IN THE VILLAGES. MEDICAL TEAMS INCLUDE GROUPS OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS THAT GO TO AFRICA AND OFFER THEIR MEDICAL EXPERTISE TO TREAT THE BABIES, CHILDREN, AND WOMEN AND PROVIDE TRAINING TO THE MEDICAL PERSONNEL ON STAFF.
  4. $1.6 million spent. WATOTO UGANDA PROGRAMS- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, CLOTHING, AND OTHER MUCH NEEDED SUPPLIES ARE SENT TO UGANDA VIA SHIPPING CONTAINERS TO PROVIDE DIRECT SUPPORT TO THE PROGRAMS ON THE GROUND. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE WATOTO VILLAGE, WATOTO NEIGHBORHOOD, WATOTO SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT AND FUTURE WATOTO COMMUNICATIONS- THROUGH PRINT COMMUNICATIONS, MEDIA PRODUCTION, AND SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT, THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO SHARE THE STORIES OF THE ORPHANED AND THOSE AFFECTED BY THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN AFRICA. WITH KNOWLEDGE COMES POWER. PARTNER CHURCH- CHURCHES THAT PARTNER WITH WATOTO BECOME PART OF THE PROGRAM OF RESTORING WOMEN TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES, ORPHANS WELCOMED INTO THEIR FAMILIES, AND PLOTS OF LAND BECOMING SUSTAINABLE FARMING COMMUNITIES.
  5. WATOTO UGANDA PROGRAMS- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, CLOTHING, AND OTHER MUCH NEEDED SUPPLIES ARE SENT TO UGANDA VIA SHIPPING CONTAINERS TO PROVIDE DIRECT SUPPORT TO THE PROGRAMS ON THE GROUND. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE WATOTO VILLAGE, WATOTO NEIGHBORHOOD, WATOTO SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT AND FUTURE WATOTO COMMUNICATIONS- THROUGH PRINT COMMUNICATIONS, MEDIA PRODUCTION, AND SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT, THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO SHARE THE STORIES OF THE ORPHANED AND THOSE AFFECTED BY THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN AFRICA. WITH KNOWLEDGE COMES POWER. PARTNER CHURCH- CHURCHES THAT PARTNER WITH WATOTO BECOME PART OF THE PROGRAM OF RESTORING WOMEN TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES, ORPHANS WELCOMED INTO THEIR FAMILIES, AND PLOTS OF LAND BECOMING SUSTAINABLE FARMING COMMUNITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 December 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 July 2004.

    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.