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Explore & Discover - a Reggio Emilia Infant & Toddler Care Cente

EIN 82-2401421 · Wheat Ridge, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceFair57 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 9% of its spending went to programs.
  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 71 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

The mission of Explore and Discover is to provide infants and toddlers with a nurturing and engaging environment that promotes whole-child learning and development.

Income
$649,764
Spending
$706,284
Spent on programs
10%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
19
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$42,762, assistant director

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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    9% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 71 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

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $66,770 spent. Explore and Discover (E&D) is a Reggio Emilia-based daycare for children ages six weeks to 3 years. At E&D, children explore the world around them through play, and our teachers and parents participate as partners every day. E&D operates as a cooperative and families participate monthly in activities that support the program as well as attend parent meetings, parent-education seminars and special events. The programs curriculum is modeled after the Reggio Emilia Approach to the Education of Young Children, which encourages children to actively explore their environment and express themselves through the use of materials all within a rich social setting. Our classrooms feature low teacher-to-child ratios and are led by caring and knowledgeable early childhood education professionals. E&D is proud to offer scheduling flexibility and a strong sense of community.

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 January 2018.

    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.