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Kids First Foundation

EIN 62-1451701 · Vista, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

KIDS FIRST FOUNDATION OFFERS SPECIALIZED THERAPEUTIC AND INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED SERVICES, INCLUDING GROUP AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO ADOLESCENTS AGES 12-18 YEARS OLD.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
17
Highest pay
$78,213, executive di

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 54% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $989,956 spent. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES 24 HOUR CARE, SUPERVISION AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT. YOUTH SERVICES UTILIZE A HIGHLY STRUCTURED THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT TO HELP YOUTH ADDRESS ISSUES THAT HAVE PREVENTED THEM FROM REALIZING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND GROUP THERAPY ARE PROVIDED BY IN-HOUSE THERAPISTS. AN ON STAFF PSYCHIATRIST REVIEWS MEDICATIONS ON A MONTHLY BASIS. TREATMENT PLANS ARE CUSTOMIZED TO ADDRESS EACH RESIDENT AND FAMILY'S INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS AND ARE INDIVIDUALIZED BY A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL WITH INPUT FROM RESIDENT, FAMILY AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS. FAMILY PARTICIPATION IS ENCOURAGED AT ALL POINTS IN THE PROCESS. ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED USING A STRENGTH-BASED, FAMILY DRIVEN MODEL THAT SEEKS TO MAXIMIZE EACH RESIDENT'S SENSE OF SELF AND COMMUNITY.
  2. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES 24 HOUR CARE, SUPERVISION AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT. YOUTH SERVICES UTILIZE A HIGHLY STRUCTURED THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT TO HELP YOUTH ADDRESS ISSUES THAT HAVE PREVENTED THEM FROM REALIZING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND GROUP THERAPY ARE PROVIDED BY IN-HOUSE THERAPISTS. AN ON STAFF PSYCHIATRIST REVIEWS MEDICATIONS ON A MONTHLY BASIS. TREATMENT PLANS ARE CUSTOMIZED TO ADDRESS EACH RESIDENT AND FAMILY'S INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS AND ARE INDIVIDUALIZED BY A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL WITH INPUT FROM RESIDENT, FAMILY AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS. FAMILY PARTICIPATION IS ENCOURAGED AT ALL POINTS IN THE PROCESS. ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED USING A STRENGTH-BASED, FAMILY DRIVEN MODEL THAT SEEKS TO MAXIMIZE EACH RESIDENT'S SENSE OF SELF AND COMMUNITY.
  3. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES 24 HOUR CARE, SUPERVISION AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT. YOUTH SERVICES UTILIZE A HIGHLY STRUCTURED THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT TO HELP YOUTH ADDRESS ISSUES THAT HAVE PREVENTED THEM FROM REALIZING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND GROUP THERAPY ARE PROVIDED BY IN-HOUSE THERAPISTS. AN ON STAFF PSYCHIATRIST REVIEWS MEDICATIONS ON A MONTHLY BASIS. TREATMENT PLANS ARE CUSTOMIZED TO ADDRESS EACH RESIDENT AND FAMILY'S INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS AND ARE INDIVIDUALIZED BY A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL WITH INPUT FROM RESIDENT, FAMILY AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS. FAMILY PARTICIPATION IS ENCOURAGED AT ALL POINTS IN THE PROCESS. ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED USING A STRENGTH-BASED, FAMILY DRIVEN MODEL THAT SEEKS TO MAXIMIZE EACH RESIDENT'S SENSE OF SELF AND COMMUNITY.

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 January 1992.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Firstday Foundation (San Antonio, TX), EIN 74-2874382. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.