Childcaregroup
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO CHAMPION A STRONG TWO-GENERATION SYSTEM THAT TEACHES CHILDREN AND PARENTS, TRAINS EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS AND ASSISTS FAMILIES.
- Income
- $39.7 million
- Spending
- $40.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 0.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 94%
- Employees
- 552
- Volunteers
- 1,000
- Highest pay
- $262,298, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 42 out of 100.
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 71% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2526 of 26 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $17.2 million spent. Child Care Assistance (CCA): ChildCareGroup manages three Child Care Services contracts across Texas, funded through the federal Child Care Development Block Grant. The program has two primary components: 1. Providing financial scholarships directly to families. 2. Supporting local early learning programs through the Texas Rising Star initiative, which raises the quality of care to prepare children for school success. Our service area includes Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas (Dallas County), Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas (Jefferson, Hardin, Orange Counties), and Workforce Solutions Heart of Texas (McLennan, Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, and Limestone Counties). In 2024, 33,914 children received scholarships covering 12 months of care. Within three months, 71% of parents found employment, and all three regions saw increases in parents' average quarterly wages.
- $18.8 million spent. Head Start (HS) Early Childhood Programs (ECP) Our Early Childhood Program (ECP) provides comprehensive education and support for children from six weeks to five years old and serves pregnant women through our Head Start grant. Using the Head Start model, we promote cognitive, emotional, language, physical, and social development, offering this program free of charge to eligible families. ECP also includes parent education and family engagement through our Home Visiting program, along with family resource support via our Family Navigation program and the Help Me Grow North Texas resource website. Serving families across Dallas, Kaufman, and Navarro counties, ECP creates a lasting impact on children and their communities. Texas ranks 43rd out of 50 states in overall child well-being, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2024 Kids Count Data Book, which takes into account economic security, education, health, and family and community data. In fact, 18.4 percent of Texas children are living in poverty, compared to the national average of 16 percent. In Dallas County, the child poverty rate is even higher - at 19.8 percent [U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS), 2023 putting their development and future success at risk. ChildCareGroup addresses this challenge with a proven two-generation approach that supports both children and parents, strengthening families and the community. Our early education programs focus on healthy development, kindergarten readiness, and long-term family stability. Children benefit from individualized lesson plans, health and wellness screenings, and social-emotional support, while parents partner with family advocates to set goals and build pathways to self-sufficiency. We operate six early education centers across North Texas and collaborate with local school districts to deliver high-quality Head Start and public Pre-K programs. Each year, more than 1,000 volunteers contribute time and expertise, helping us expand our impact and deepen community connections. ChildCareGroup is funded through a mix of public and private support, including the Office of Head Start, United Way, foundations, corporate partners, and individual donors.
- TEXAS RISING STAR QUALITY INITIATIVES - ChildCareGroup's Child Care Assistance (CCA) program oversees the Quality Rating and Improvement System for our three workforce boards. Local childcare providers that agree to serve eligible children must meet quality standards and are expected to earn Texas Rising Star certification within two years. A state-contracted agency conducts formal assessments, awarding 2-Star, 3-Star, or 4-Star ratings based on research-backed criteria. Higher-quality ratings correspond with increased reimbursement rates. In 2024, 898 early learning programs received mentoring and support through our initiatives. Notably, 63% of the first cohort in the Heart of Texas Early Learning Apprenticeship Program pursued higher education after earning their Department of Labor Early Learning certification. Across all contracts, the number of programs achieving Texas Rising Star certification increased by 25%, reflecting measurable progress in quality improvement.
- OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - TEXAS HOME VISITING PROGRAM (PARENT EDUCATION): The Born Learning Parent Engagement Program supports low-income families in vulnerable neighborhoods across Dallas and Kaufman Counties through a comprehensive home-visiting model. Using the evidence-based Parents as Teachers (PAT) curriculum, trained parent educators help families understand and support their child's developmental needs through personalized, one-on-one sessions. Parents learn how to be their child's first teacher, build school readiness skills, and foster healthy development from birth. Group connections offer shared learning and social support, strengthening the social networks and confidence of participating families. Parent educators also guide families in setting goals, creating action plans, and building the skills needed to achieve self-sufficiency. By starting early and empowering parents, Born Learning lays a strong foundation for lifelong success. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES: ChildCareGroup provides extensive referrals for child care and family resources throughout Dallas County to help families achieve self- sufficiency and access quality early childhood care and education. Our Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support (H.O.P.E.S.) program offers vulnerable families access to a collaborative family support network designed to improve child well-being. Through Family Navigators, ChildCareGroup supports prenatal and new mothers by connecting them with vital maternal and pediatric care resources, education, and referrals. H.O.P.E.S. focuses on preventing abuse and neglect while fostering meaningful parent engagement. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAM: Each year, we serve more than 170,000 healthy meals and snacks to children. Children receive two meals and a snack daily, providing over half of their nutritional needs, in accordance with USDA CACFP guidelines.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1942.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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