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The Buena Vista Childrens Center Inc

EIN 68-0447901 · Walnut Creek, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR CENTER MUST BE, FIRST AND FOREMOST, A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CHILDREN. THE ACTIVITIES OFFERED TO THE CHILDREN MUST BE AGE-APPROPRIATE, STIMULATING AND FUN. WE PRESENT A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THAT THE CHILDREN (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)

Income
$965,443
Spending
$716,439
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
17.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
22
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$123,424, executive director

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% 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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    6 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. $395,081 spent. SCHOOL YEAR: WE PROVIDE A SAFE AND NURTURING PLACE FOR THE STUDENTS OF BUENA VISTA ELEMENTARY TO GO BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL. WE ARE OPEN DAILY FROM 7 AM UNTIL 6PM. IN THE MORNING WE OFFER BREAKFAST AS WELL AS ASSIST THE CHILDREN IN GETTING TO SCHOOL ON TIME. AFTER SCHOOL WE PROVIDE A SNACK, A QUIET HOMEWORK ROOM, AND A VARIETY OF DAILY ACTIVITIES (OUTSIDE GAMES/ FREE PLAY, ART PROJECTS, COMPUTERS, FREE PLAY BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, AND COOKING). WE HAVE AN AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE OF 120 CHILDREN. BY BEING ABLE TO RETAIN OUR STAFF, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES AT A VERY HIGH QUALITY TO THE FAMILIES OF THE BUENA IVSTA SCHOOL. NEARLY ALL OF THE STAFF STARTED HERE AS STUDENTS AND HAVE RETURNED (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)TO WORK AT THE CLUB. THE RETURNING CHILDREN ARE WORKING AS BOTH TEACHERS AND TEACHERS' AIDES.
  2. $141,100 spent. SUMMER CAMP: EVERY SUMMER WE PROVIDE A SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM (BREKAING EVEN OR OPERATING AT A LOSS), WHICH RUNS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER VACATION WHILE SCHOOL IS NOT IN SESSION. WE ACCOMPANY THE CHILDREN TO A LOCAL PARK TO PLAY AND A CITY POOL TO SWIM TWICE PER WEEK. WE HAVE AN OFFSITE FIELD TRIP ONCE A WEEK. THE SUMMER TUTION INCLUDES PAYMENTS FOR CARE, COST OF FIELD TRIPS, AND SWIMMING WHICH WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN A LOW RATIO OF ADULT-CHILD. PROVIDING THIS FUN AND IMPORTANT CAM ENABLES PARENTS TO WORK AND HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE CHILDREN'S WELL BEING AND SAFETY.
  3. $28,220 spent. WINTER/ SPRING BREAKS: WE REMAIN OPEN DURING BOTH THE WINTER AND SPRING BREAKS WHILE THE SCHOOL IS CLOSED. AGAIN, WE PROVIDE THIS SERVICE AT A BREAK-EVEN OR EVEN AT A SMALL LOSS. WE PROVDIE ALL DAY CARE FROM 7AM TO 6PM. THERE IS ALSO A FIELD TRIP DURING THE WEEK-LONG SPRING BREAK. THIS IMPORTANT SERVICE IS PROVIDED SO THAT THE PARENTS ARE ABLE TO STILL GO TO WORK AND DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN DURING THESE BREAKS.

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 May 2000.

    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.

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

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The Childrens Center Inc (Bethany, OK), EIN 73-0580264. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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