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North Bay Childrens Center Inc

EIN 94-3024246 · Novato, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

North Bay Childrens Center provides comprehensive high-quality childcare and early education programs fueled by our vision of excellence and a spirit of innovation. Our mission is to assure optimal development for every child we serve.

Income
$18.0 million
Spending
$15.4 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 74%
Employees
225
Highest pay
$231,825, presidentceo

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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 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. $13.3 million spent. THE CENTERS PRIMARY MISSION IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON SCHOOL READINESS, AS WELL AS FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY, HEALTH AND NUTRITION, AND ACCESS TO ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES.IN ADDITION TO THE FULL-DAY, YEAR-ROUND CHILDCARE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH THROUGH AGE EIGHT, THE CENTER HAS CREATED WONDERFULLY UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WITH THE HELP OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. THE CENTER SERVES CHILDREN FROM MARIN COUNTY AND SONOMA COUNTY, WITH FIVE CAMPUSES IN NOVATO, TWO IN PETALUMA, SIX IN SANTA ROSA, ONE IN SONOMA VALLEY, AND ONE IN HEALDSBURG. ALL OF THE CENTERS SITES INCLUDE THE GARDEN OF EATIN HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAM WHICH NOT ONLY BRINGS THE JOY OF GARDENING TO THE CHILDRENS LIVES BUT ENABLES THE CENTER TO TEACH AND DEVELOP HEALTHY EATING HABITS THROUGH THE MEAL PROGRAMS BY INCORPORATING THE CENTERS OWN GARDEN FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES INTO THE DAILY MEAL PROGRAMS AND PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR HEALTHY LIVINGS. THE CENTER PROVIDES 4,410 HOURS OF CHILD CARE FOR SINGLE AND WORKING PARENTS AND 303,000 HEALTHY MEALS SERVED TO CHILDREN ACROSS 13 SCHOOL SITES. FINAL PHASE OF THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AT THE AL & LISA BRAYTON CAMPUS IN NOVATO IS INTENDED TO OPEN TO STUDENTS BY FALL OF 2025. OUR EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY: NBCCS EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY IS DRIVEN BY OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTER LIFE-LONG?HEALTH?AND SUCCESS FOR EVERY CHILD.?NBCCS WHOLE CHILD APPROACH USES OUR GARDEN OF EATIN LIVING CURRICULUM COMBINED WITH OTHER RELATIONSHIP-BASED CURRICULA?TO EMPOWER CHILDREN TO LEARN THROUGH PLAY, FOSTERING CURIOSITY, RESILIENCY, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS WHILE PROMOTING ACTIVE FAMILY?ENGAGEMENT.WE VIEW THE?ENVIRONMENT?AS THE THIRD TEACHER, EMPLOYING RESEARCH-BASED AND EMERGENT PRACTICES THAT RECOGNIZE CHILDREN AS LEADERS IN THEIR OWN LEARNING JOURNEY WHILE PROVIDING A SAFE, DIVERSE, AND INCLUSIVE CULTURE THAT ENABLES CHILDREN TO LEARN, GROW, AND THRIVE.

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 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 November 6, 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 June 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 December 1986.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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