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Childrens Institute Foundation

EIN 87-2684499 · Pittsburgh, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 92 cents.

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

What it says it does

TO HEAL. TO TEACH. TO EMPOWER. TO AMAZE.

Income
$8.6 million
Spending
$7.4 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 91%
Employees
0
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$911,366, president & ceo (exited 1/31/25)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 92 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 10 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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 June 30, 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. $5.9 million spent. THE CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE FOUNDATION IS THE FUNDRAISING ARM FOR THE CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE PARENT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES. THE FOUNDATION FUNDRAISES TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATIONS' MISSION THROUGH GRANTS, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND TARGETED CAMPAIGNS.SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O.THE CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH, WHICH IS A LEADER IN PEDIATRIC THERAPUTIC AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES; AND FAMILY PLACEMENT, PRESERVATION, REUNIFICATION, AND ENRICHMENT SERVICES. ESTABLISHED IN 1902, THE CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH IS AN INDEPENDENT, NONPROFIT, LICENSED ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE, AND THEIR FAMILIES BY PROVIDING A SPECIALIZED CONTINUUM OF SERVICES THAT ENABLES THEM TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL.HEADQUARTERED IN PITTSBURGH WITH SATELLITE LOCATIONS ACROSS WESTERN PA., THE CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH IS ONE OF THE ONLY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA OFFERING SUCH A WIDE ARRAY OF SERVICES INCLUDING: EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AUTISM SERVICES, OUTPATIENT PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, EARLY INTERVENTION, AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES. THIS UNIQUE, COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH SETS THE ORGANIZATION APART.IN FY 25, THE CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE FOUNDATION RAISED $797,294 IN SUPPORT OF THE SUBSIDIARIES OF THE CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE PARENT COMPANY.DURING FY 25, THE SECOND YEAR OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN, VISION 2026, WAS EXECUTED AND CONTINUES TO GUIDE US IN BECOMING A BEST-IN-CLASS PROVIDER, USING THESE FIVE MAIN PILLARS:1. TEAM: OUR TEAM IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO. WE WILL INVEST IN OUR PASSIONATE AND HIGHLY TALENTED TEAM MEMBERS TO DRIVE THE QUALITY OF OUR PROGRAMS AND BEST SERVE OUR AMAZING KIDS AND FAMILIES.2. MISSION HEALTH: WE ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING EVERY CHILD AND FAMILY WHO COMES THROUGH OUR DOORS. WE WILL PROMOTE INNOVATION AND ENHANCE THE IMPACT OF OUR EXCEPTIONAL CARE ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.3. QUALITY: UTILIZING EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES, WE WILL FOCUS ON ACHIEVING BEST-IN-CLASS PERFORMANCE ACROSS ALL OF OUR SERVICES THAT WILL HELP EACH CHILD REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL.4. TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT INNOVATION: ACCESSIBLE AND EXPANDABLE TECHNOLOGY WILL SUPPORT OUR ABILITY TO DELIVER THE HIGHEST QUALITY OFCARE TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY OUR ARRAY OF SERVICES.5. ELEVATING OUR PRESENCE: WE WILL IGNITE MORE COMMUNITY AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF OUR SERVICES ON AMAZING KIDS AND FAMILIES, WHICH WILL GARNER GREATER SUPPORT FOR OUR MISSION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2022.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.