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Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning

EIN 85-4322274 · Hershey, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CATHERINE HERSHEY SCHOOLS FOR EARLY LEARNING (CHS) CREATES HIGH-QUALITY LEARNING COMMUNITIES THAT NURTURE, EDUCATE, AND EMPOWER CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL NEED TO LEAD FULFILLING AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES. THROUGH THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF SIX EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTERS IN PENNSYLVANIA, CHS SERVES CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE 5 FROM UNDER-RESOURCED AND OVER-BURDENED BACKGROUNDS WITH ALL COSTS COVERED. THE YEAR-ROUND, NON-RESIDENTIAL, FULL-DAY WEEKDAY PROGRAM FOCUSES ON THE WHOLE CHILD BY GIVING CHILDREN THE SKILLS, VALUES, AND INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT THEY NEED TO REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE. THROUGH OUR COMMITMENT TO SERVING THE WHOLE CHILD, CHS PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION, NUTRITIOUS MEALS, DIAPERS, AND OTHER ESSENTIALS. CHS FAMILIES ARE SUPPORTED BY A DEDICATED STAFF MEMBER WHO KEEPS THEM INFORMED AND HELPS CONNECT THEM TO TOOLS AND RESOURCES. CHS PROGRAMMING IS SUPPORTED BY A TEAM OF UP TO 80 EMPLOYEES AT EACH CENTER.

Income
$99.3 million
Spending
$40.0 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
-3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
261
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$978,736, board chair/president/director

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

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 60% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 5 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 July 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. $27.2 million spent. DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS - PRESENTATION OF A CORE EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM THROUGH THE FORMAL INSTRUCTION OF AN ESTABLISHED CURRICULUM TAUGHT BY A REGULAR FACULTY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 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 July 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 October 2021.

    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.