Creative Development Academy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To provide a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment where every child is empowered to learn, grow, and thrive. Through play-based learning, inclusive practices, and a focus on holistic development, we inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love for learning
- Income
- $959,060
- Spending
- $951,944
- Spent on programs
- 61%
- Reserves
- 0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 84%
- Employees
- 17
- Volunteers
- 11
- Highest pay
- $51,000, executive 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 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1561% 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
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
- $385,571 spent. Early Childhood Program provided comprehensive services to income-eligible families, including serving children from 8 weeks to age 12 years from diverse ethnicities. Through the federally funded program, we supported 100 children and family members. Over 95% of participating children met or exceeded key developmental milestones in physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains, laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success in kindergarten and beyond.
- $157,187 spent. Our scholarship initiative is designed to expand access to high-quality early childhood education for families experiencing financial hardship. By providing targeted tuition assistance, we ensure that children from underserved communities can participate in our enriching, developmentally focused programs within a nurturing and inclusive environment. This initiative underscores our commitment to promoting educational equity by removing cost barriers and supporting diverse learners through inclusive practices and fostering long-term success by investing in early developmental milestones. We take pride in contributing to the academic and personal growth of our community's youngest learners. Through this program, we empower children from all backgrounds to thrive-building a foundation for lifelong achievement and a brighter future
- $40,880 spent. Our center has established a robust framework for parent engagement, recognizing caregivers as pivotal partners in early childhood education. We offer a diverse array of opportunities, including developmentally focused workshops, family seminars, and structured volunteer roles, that empower parents to participate actively in their child's learning journey. These efforts foster meaningful connections between families and educators, cultivate a shared commitment to educational excellence, and reinforce parents' roles as their child's first teachers. Through sustained family engagement, we have cultivated a collaborative community that enriches our children's learning environments and strengthens overall program outcomes
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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2021 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2021.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 February 2023.
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 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.