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Early Childhood Council of La Plata County

EIN 90-0799055 · Durango, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COUNCIL'S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES BY INCREASING THE AVAILABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND RELIABILITY OF AFFORDABLE, HIGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR ALL YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

Income
$531,893
Spending
$629,295
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
6.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 64%
Employees
8
Volunteers
28
Highest pay
$73,966, executive di

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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $577,061 spent. THROUGH A COALITION OF 23 DEDICATED PARTNERS FROM 18 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A HIGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE, EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM, AND THE VARIOUS RESOURCES AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL, SOME RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDED: --DISTRIBUTION OF 26,783 IN QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FUNDING AND 41,937 IN CHILDCARE EXPANSION FUNDING TO ELIGIBLE CHILDCARE PROVIDERS; --SUPPORT OF 3 CHILDCARE PROGRAMS TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN A COLORADO SHINES HIGH-QUALITY RATING; --PROVIDED 188 COACHING HOURS TO PROFESSIONALS IN 12 LICENSED CHILDCARE PROGRAMS; --SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM FACILITATED 24 SCHOOL READINESS WORKSHOPS AND 6 PARENT EDUCATION SESSIONS ACROSS 4 DIFFERENT COMMUNITY LIBRARIES TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE DOMAINS OF SCHOOL READINESS. --EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANTS HAVE SUPPORTED MORE THAN 1,800 HOURS OF CONSULTATION FOR 68 CLASSROOMS IN 24 LICENSED EARLY CARE CENTERS, HOME CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, HEAD START, AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS. --AGENCY WEBSITE SUPPORTING CAREER ADVISEMENT, JOB POSTINGS, CHILDCARE QUALITY, AND EARLY LEARNING DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDELINES RECEIVED OVER 4,750 VISITS THIS FISCAL YEAR. THROUGH A COALITION OF 23 DEDICATED PARTNERS FROM 18 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A HIGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE, EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM, AND THE VARIOUS RESOURCES AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL, SOME RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDED: --DISTRIBUTION OF 26,783 IN QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FUNDING AND 41,937 IN CHILDCARE EXPANSION FUNDING TO ELIGIBLE CHILDCARE PROVIDERS; --SUPPORT OF 3 CHILDCARE PROGRAMS TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN A COLORADO SHINES HIGH-QUALITY RATING; --PROVIDED 188 COACHING HOURS TO PROFESSIONALS IN 12 LICENSED CHILDCARE PROGRAMS; --SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM FACILITATED 24 SCHOOL READINESS WORKSHOPS AND 6 PARENT EDUCATION SESSIONS ACROSS 4 DIFFERENT COMMUNITY LIBRARIES TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE DOMAINS OF SCHOOL READINESS. --EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANTS HAVE SUPPORTED MORE THAN 1,800 HOURS OF CONSULTATION FOR 68 CLASSROOMS IN 24 LICENSED EARLY CARE CENTERS, HOME CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, HEAD START, AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS. --AGENCY WEBSITE SUPPORTING CAREER ADVISEMENT, JOB POSTINGS, CHILDCARE QUALITY, AND EARLY LEARNING DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDELINES RECEIVED OVER 4,750 VISITS THIS FISCAL YEAR.

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 August 2012.

    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.