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Childrens Forum Inc

EIN 65-0165007 · Tallahassee, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDES LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY TO ACHIEVE HIGH-QUALITY, AFFORDABLE AND AVAILABLE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION SERVICES FOR ALL CHILDREN.

Income
$28.0 million
Spending
$27.9 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 92%
Employees
56
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$196,962, president/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

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 53% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 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 (4)
  1. $17.5 million spent. THE TEACHER EDUCATION AND COMPENSATION HELPS (TEACH) EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR EARLY CARE EDUCATORS AND CENTER DIRECTORS TO WORK TOWARDS EARNING AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE OR CREDENTIALS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. THE MAJORITY OF TUITION AND BOOK COSTS ARE PAID FOR AND MOST TEACH PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE A PER-SEMESTER STIPEND FOR TRAVEL OR FOR INTERNET ACCCESS AS WELL AS A BONUS FOR CAREGIVERS AND DIRECTORS WHO COMPLETE THEIR SCHOLARSHIP CONTRACT. THE TEACH PROGRAM WORKS WITH SEVERAL COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AS WELL AS SEVERAL COMMUNITY BASED TRAINING INSTITUTIONS. UNDER MANAGEMENT OF THE FORUM, THE FLORIDA TEACH EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM SERVES AS AN UMBRELLA FOR A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WORKING IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
  2. $2.1 million spent. CHILD CARE INCENTIVE$ FLORIDA: THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE STABILITY AND IMPROVE CHILD CARE QUALITY BY REDUCING TURNOVER AND ENCOURAGING CONTINUED EDUCATION OF CHILD CARE PRACTITIONERS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATION BASED SALARY SUPPLEMENTS FOR LOW TO MODERATE WAGE EARNERS WHO WORK WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AGES BIRTH TO FIVE.
  3. $4.5 million spent. HELP ME GROW FAMILY SUPPORT: THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP ALL CHILDREN THRIVE. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES A CARE COORDINATOR TO HELP ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT PARTICIPANTS MAY HAVE ABOUT CHILD DEVELOPMENT, CUSTOMIZED SUPPORT AND CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY SERVICES, FREE DEVELOPMENT AND BEHAVIORAL SCREENINGS, AS WELL AS PARENTING TIPS AND DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES.
  4. $3.3 million spent. IN ADDITION TO THE PROGRAMS LISTED ABOVE, THERE ARE FOUR OTHER PROGRAMS THAT CHILDREN'S FORUM OPERATES. SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE FOR EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING SERVICES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1990.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.