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Malawi Childrens Initiative

EIN 82-0674504 · Chapel Hill, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MALAWI CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE (MCI) AIMS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF MALAWIAN CHILDREN BY SUPPORTING LOCALLY-LED INITIATIVES TARGETING HEALTHCARE, NUTRITION, AND EDUCATION.

Income
$181,838
Spending
$225,982
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
6

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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $187,000 spent. IN 2024 MALAWI CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE CONTINUED TO SUPPORT THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, AND NUTRITION IN MALAWI. MCI HAS PARTNERED WITH MOYO CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE, A NON-PROFIT CREATED AND REGISTERED IN MALAWI. MOYO CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE CONTINUES TO PAY SCHOOL FEES FOR CHILDREN AND MEDICAL/NURSING STUDENTS, SALARY SUPPORT FOR NURSING AND THE ONGOING COST OF THE PEDIATRIC LABORATORY. MOYO ALSO SPONSORS TWO FULL TIME PEDIATRIC RESIDENTS AND CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE NUTRITIONAL REHABILITATION UNIT AT THE HOSPITAL. MCI HAS A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH MOYO CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THESE ACTIVITIES.
  2. $9,400 spent. HEALTHCARE: THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED SOCIAL WORK SERVICES AT KAMUZU CENTRAL HOSPITAL IN LILONGWE, MALAWI AND ALSO PAID FOR HUNDREDS OF LOCUM NURSING SHIFTS. IT FUNDED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR MALAWIAN MEDICAL STUDENTS AND INTERNS, AND IT IMPROVED COMPUTER INFRASTRUCTURE AND INTERNET ACCESS IN THE PEDIATRIC WARD.
  3. $12,314 spent. EDUCATION: MISCELLANEOUS EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES FOR SUPPORTED MALAWIAN STUDENTS.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 2017.

    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.