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Clayton Dabney Foundation for Kids With Cancer

EIN 75-2641482 · Dallas, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CLAYTON DABNEY FOR KIDS WITH CANCER PROVIDES ANONYMOUS ASSISTANCE TO FINANCIALLY STRUGGLING FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WITH CHILDREN IN THE FINAL STAGES OF TERMINAL CANCER, ALLOWING THEM TO CREATE EVERLASTING MEMORIES WITH THEIR CHILD.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
4.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
4
Volunteers
74
Highest pay
$123,360, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    49 of 49 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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 December 31, 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 (1)
  1. $1.3 million spent. THE FOUNDATION SELECTED CHILDREN WHO HAD TERMINAL CANCER AND WERE HOSPITALIZED OR SERVED BY HOSPICE IN THE UNITED STATES. DURING 2025, THE FOUNDATION HELPED THEM TO REALIZE THEIR WISHES BY 1) PAYING RENT AND UTILITY BILLS FOR FINANCIALLY NEEDY FAMILIES 2) PROVIDING FUNDS FOR UPGRADES TO HOMES TO HELP THE CHILDREN BE MORE COMFORTABLE 3) PROVIDING SHOPPING SPREES AND FAMILY VACATIONS 4) PROVIDING FUNDS TO THE CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER DALLAS FOR THE FAMILY RETREATS FOR PATIENTS OF THE PAULINE ALLEN GILL CENTER FOR CANCER AND BLOOD DISORDERS. DURING 2025, THE FOUNDATION DIRECTLY HELPED APPROXIMATELY 405 FAMILIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 May 1996.

    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.