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Childrens Initiative

EIN 77-0587835 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Childrens Initiative, Inc. (the Organization) was established in 1992, by five local San Diego foundations and more than 40 community and public leaders, to serve as an advocate and custodian for effective policies, programs and services that support the health and well-being of children, youth and families in San Diego County. The Organization seeks to improve outcomes for children and youth in health, education, safety, and economic security. The Organization builds and sustains strategic alliances with all sectors of the community, providing direct operational and organizational support and technical assistance to community-based programs, government institutions, schools and businesses. The Organizations principal activities involve education, community safety and community health.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
22.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
24
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$174,062, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 43% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 (3)
  1. $919,213 spent. Community SafetyThe Organization works to increase community safety and healthy families by developing and strengthening positive youth development and juvenile justice prevention and intervention strategies, programs and policies. The Organization convenes local stakeholders and national experts to improve our systems of care by incorporating national best practices in policies, programs and service delivery in San Diego. We work with both government entities and community providers to ensure youth and families are receiving supportive services in their communities that promote positive youth development, strong families and safe communities. To support efforts in preventing and responding to child abuse and neglect, the Organization facilitates the San Diego County Board of Supervisor Child and Family Strengthening Advisory Board. The Organization works to support best practices in child abuse prevention and family strengthening and to develop cross- sector collaboration in the child welfare system to ensure the safety and well-being of children and families.
  2. $573,628 spent. Community HealthTHE ORGANIZATION DEVELOPS AND PRODUCES THE SAN DIEGO CHILDREN & FAMILIES DATA HUB ON CHILDREN FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY. THE DATA HUB PRESENTS TREND DATA OF 25 HEALTH AND WELL-BEING INDICATORS FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES THAT TOGETHER PRESENT A SNAPSHOT THE HEALTH OF SAN DIEGO CHILDREN. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING DATA, THE DATA HUB PROVIDES NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BEST PRACTICES IN PREVENTION/INTERVENTION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SPECIFIC ACTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO FACILITATES THE CHILDHOOD INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDING TRAININGS FOR PARENTS AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ON INJURY PREVENTION STRATEGIES TO MAKE HOMES AND COMMUNITIES SAFER AND HEALTHIER FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES LOW-INCOME PARENTS AND FAMILIES WITH HOME SAFETY KITS (I.E. SMOKE AND CARBON DIOXIDE MONITORS, CABINET/DRAWER LATCHES, AND ELECTRIC PLUG ROTECTORS), HEALTH/SAFETY RESOURCES AND OTHER SAFETY EQUIPMENT (I.E. CAR SEATS, CARBON MONOXIDE).
  3. $522,050 spent. EducationIn collaboration with the San Diego County Office of Education and San Diego County local school districts, the Organization provides leadership and oversight to the San Diego County Expanded Learning Consortium, supporting expanded learning (before-, after-, and summer school) programs by providing professional development, technical assistance, and supplies/resources.

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 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 October 13, 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 June 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 September 2002.

    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 October 21, 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.