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Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region Inc

EIN 59-3743672 · Tallahassee, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF THE BIG BEND REGION IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO KINDERGARTEN TO ENSURE READINESS FOR SCHOOL, REDUCE ACADEMIC FAILURE AND TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND CHILDCARE SERVICES TO VARIOUS AGES.

Income
$35.1 million
Spending
$35.3 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 99%
Employees
74
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$131,492, ceo

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: 34 out of 100. Higher than 6% 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 97% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% 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

    21 of 21 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. $24.3 million spent. SCHOOL READINESS AND RELATED CHILDCARE SERVICES - THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDCARE COSTS TO FAMILIES WHO MEET QUALIFYING GUIDELINES IN ORDER TO ASSIST CHILDREN TO BECOME BETTER PREPARED FOR THE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE OR TO PROVIDE CHILDCARE SERVICES FOR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN REQUIRING SPECIFIC ASSISTANCE AS DETERMINED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
  2. $7.3 million spent. VOLUNTARY PREKINDERGARTEN SERVICES (VPK) - THE VPK PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE IN A CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT THE DEVELOPMENT OF EACH FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD'S PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL MATURATION. THE PROGRAM OUTCOME SHOULD RESULT IN CHILDREN BETTER TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE FORMAL EDUCATION PROCESS.
  3. $2.0 million spent. OTHER CHILD CARE RESEARCH AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS - THESE PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE CHILDCARE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO LOW PERFORMING PROVIDERS.

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 2003.

    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.