Passes our checks

Ethical Family Building

EIN 86-1738790 · Pasadena, CA

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

What it says it does

To promote ethical practices in private adoptions.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

Reserves
20 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20
It owes 57% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 15
86% 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
3 of 5 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.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$119,603 spent. AdoptMatch operates an online educational and collaborative platform for licensed adoption agencies, attorneys, and the prospective adoptive families they serve. Partner professionals commit to AdoptMatchs Guiding Principles for ethical adoption. Families working with an AdoptMatch partner may create an online profile at no cost which may be shared with expectant parents considering adoption through other AdoptMatch partners.
$51,331 spent. AdoptChange maintains a public, no-cost consumer-education website that provides a database of adoption professionals, intermediaries, and adoption-related websites. The database includes information on licensure status, principal ownership, and affiliated websites. AdoptChange also provides educational resources on state adoption laws and information to assist the public in understanding available avenues and resources that support ethical adoption.
$15,297 spent. Advocacy: Ethical Family Building participates in state and federal policy efforts aimed at improving ethical standards, transparency, and consumer protection in domestic adoption and other family-building practices. Activities include research, public education, and engagement with policymakers and stakeholders to promote ethical adoption practices.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
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 January 2022.
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.