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Childrens Action Alliance Inc

EIN 86-0594785 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Through research publications, media campaigns, and advocacy, CAA seeks to influence policies and decisions affecting the lives of Arizona children and their families on issues related to health, child abuse and neglect, early care and education, budget and taxes, children and immigration and working families. CAA works toward a future in which all children have health insurance, no child is raised in poverty and hunger, every child enters school ready to learn and succeed, no child endures the ravages of abuse and neglect, every child has a place to call home and struggling teens have the support they need to become responsible adults.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
15
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$190,311, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Good: 73 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 December 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. $1.9 million spent. CHILDRENS ACTION ALLIANCE ADVOCATES FOR POLICIES, PROGRAMS, AND RESOURCES THAT BENEFIT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. OUR WORK IS ABOUT REAL ARIZONANS CHILDREN, PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND INDIVIDUALS WHO SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPECT EQUITABLE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY HEALTH CARE, EARLY LEARNING AND EDUCATION, SAFETY, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY THAT WILL IMPROVE THEIR WELL-BEING AND OPPORUNITY TO THRIVE. WE BELIEVE THAT EVERY CHILD AND FAMILY MATTERS. WE LIFT UP DATA, LIVED EXPERIENCE VOICES, AND POLICY SOLUTIONS TO INFLUENCE LEGISLATION, ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS, AND TAX POLICY AND BUDGET DECISIONS THAT MAKE ARIZONA A STRONGER PLACE FOR ALL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. ARIZONA CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SAW KEY WINS IN 2025 SUCH AS SIGNIFICANT STATE GENERAL FUND SUPPORT FOR CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE, SCHOOL MEALS FOR ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, CRITICAL K-12 EDUCATION FUNDING, AND AN INCREASE IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR FOSTER PARENTS AND KINSHIP CAREGIVERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 December 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 February 1993.

    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.