Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Childrens Aid Society of Alabama

EIN 63-0288823 · Birmingham, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CHANGING LIVES, BUILDING FAMILIES, STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES

Income
$5.8 million
Spending
$6.0 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
67
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$228,767, ceo

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

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 25

    18 of 18 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 September 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 (4)
  1. $2.6 million spent. ALABAMA PRE AND POST ADOPTION CONNECTION (APAC) - STATEWIDE SERVICES PROVIDED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE OF ADOPTION. THE GOAL IS TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE ADOPTIVE FAMILIES THROUGH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT. APAC SERVES ADOPTIVE AND FOSTER FAMILIES AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM. EFFORTS BEGAN IN 2008 TO RECRUIT FAMILIES FOR ALABAMA'S CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED. ADOPTION PREPARATION CLASSES ARE PROVIDED FOR ADULTS INTERESTED IN BECOMING ADOPTIVE PARENTS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. HOME STUDIES ARE PREPARED FOR ELIGIBLE FAMILIES, AND ULTIMATELY, "WAITING CHILDREN" ARE MATCHED WITH FOREVER FAMILIES. FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS ARE LOCATED IN BIRMINGHAM, MOBILE, AND MONTGOMERY.
  2. $932,157 spent. FAMILY PARTNERS - IN-HOME, INTENSIVE CRISIS INTERVENTION AND FAMILY EDUCATION PROGRAM PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ALABAMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES. PRIORITIES ARE PRESERVATION OF FAMILIES AT IMMINENT RISK OF CHILD REMOVAL DUE TO ABUSE/NEGLECT, AND REUNIFICATION OF FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN REMOVED FOR SAFETY CONCERNS.
  3. $1.1 million spent. INDEPENDENT LIVING - ADVOCACY AND EMPOWERMENT FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE TO FACILITATE THEIR TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT ADULTHOOD. MONTHLY MEETINGS AND AN ANNUAL CAMP INCLUDE TOPICS SUCH AS: HEALTHY DECISION MAKING, HOME-BUILDING, HIGHER EDUCATION ACCESS, CAREER COUNSELING, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND POSITIVE COPING SKILLS.
  4. $940,080 spent. PROJECT INDEPENDENCE (PI)- PROVIDING A SAFE, STABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUNG, EXPECTANT MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN WHILE THEY COMPLETE THEIR EDUCATION AND OBTAIN JOBS. PROJECT INDEPENDENCE BREAKS THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS, KEEPS YOUNG FAMILIES OFF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AND IMPROVES THEIR CHANCES OF BEING SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL AND IN THE WORKFORCE.CHILD TRAFFICKING SOLUTIONS PROJECT (CTSP)- A STATEWIDE COALITION OF ORGANIZATIONS COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING; LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT; GOVERNMENT AGENCIES; NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS; CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES; AND SURVIVOR CARE PROVIDERS. CTSP PROVIDES TRAINING TO RECOGNIZE, RESCUE, AND RESTORE CHILD VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND COLLABORATION DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT FOR AGENCIES PROVIDING ANTI-TRAFFICKING WORK.EFFECTIVE PARENTING INSTRUCTION COURSE (EPIC)- FREE CLASSES, IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH, FOR AT-RISK PARENTS IN JEFFERSON AND SHELBY COUNTIES SEEKING ASSISTANCE WITH THEIR PARENTING SKILLS. TOPICS INCLUDE COMMUNICATION, AGE-APPROPRIATE NATURAL AND LOGICAL ACTIONS/CONSEQUENCES, SHAKEN BABY PREVENTION, SAFE SLEEP ENVIRONMENT, AND SMOKING CESSATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 November 6, 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 September 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 August 1942.

    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 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.