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Polk County School Readiness Coalition Inc

EIN 59-3648316 · Lakeland, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE WILL LEAD COMMUNITY EFFORTS IN SUPPORTING THE SUCCESS OF CHILDREN.

Income
$58.7 million
Spending
$58.4 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 98%
Employees
93
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$222,574, chief executive officer

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

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 92% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $43.5 million spent. SCHOOL READINESS: EVEN BEFORE CHILDREN ATTEND PRE-KINDERGARTEN, THEY GAIN FROM EXPERIENCES THAT HELP THEM BE READY FOR SCHOOL. THAT IS WHY SCHOOL READINESS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF EARLY LEARNING. THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE RECOGNIZED THAT WHEN THEY PASSED THE SCHOOL READINESS ACT TO HELP CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES GET THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL. WHILE HELPING CHILDREN PREPARE FOR SCHOOL, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES CHILD CARE SO A PARENT CAN WORK OR ATTEND A TRAINING OR EDUCATION PROGRAM. WE SERVED 8,163 CHILDREN IN FISCAL YEAR 2025.
  2. $12.3 million spent. VOLUNTARY PRE-KINDERGARTEN: PREPARES EARLY LEARNERS FOR SUCCESS IN KINDERGARTEN AND BEYOND. CHILDREN MUST LIVE IN FLORIDA AND BE 4 YEARS OLD ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 OF THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR TO BE ELIGIBLE. THE PROGRAM HELPS BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR SCHOOL USING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS THAT ARE GEARED TO VARIOUS STAGES IN A CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT. WE SERVED 4,738 CHILDREN IN FISCAL YEAR 2025.
  3. EARLY LEARNING FLORIDA PROGRAM: IN 2014, THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE APPROVED A SPECIAL PILOT PROJECT TO SEE WHETHER SPECIFIC TRAINING APPROACHES IMPROVE HOW WELL CHILDREN DO IN SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAMS. THE PROJECT IS NOW VOLUNTARY AND GIVES ELIGIBLE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND THEIR INSTRUCTORS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EARN ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR IMPROVING SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM OUTCOMES. THE COALITION VERIFIES THAT PARTICIPANTS MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION AND PAYS STIPENDS TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONTRACT.

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 September 2000.

    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.