Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Middle East Childrens Alliance

EIN 94-3074600 · Berkeley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1988, THE MIDDLE EAST CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE IS A REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WORKING FOR THE RIGHTS AND THE WELL BEING OF CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE EAST. MECA SENDS SHIPMENTS OF AID TO PALESTINE, IRAQ AND LEBANON, AND SUPPORTS PROJECTS THAT MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EDUCATE NORTH AMERICANS ABOUT CHILDREN IN THE REGION. MECA WELCOMES THE SUPPORT OF ALL PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT CHILDREN AND THEIR FUTURE.

Income
$18.3 million
Spending
$13.3 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
13.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
14
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$137,775, executive director

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • 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

    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 (3)
  1. $11.1 million spent. SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN'S PROJECTSMECA HAS LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS WITH GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS IN PALESTINE AND LEBANON THAT ADDRESS CHILDREN'S BASIC NEEDS AND OFFER THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO PLAY, LEARN, AND ENVISION A BETTER FUTURE. WE PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR PROGRAMS, RESPONDING TO REQUESTS FOR WHAT IS NEEDED IN EACH OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.IN FY 2024-2025 MECA: MADE GRANTS TO 12 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO RUN ARTS, LITERACY, MEDIA, SPORTS, AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMMING FOR PALESTINIAN CHILDREN MECA MADE GRANTS TO 4 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO RUN PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT PROJECTS FOR TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN IN GAZA
  2. $965,394 spent. HUMANITARIAN AIDSINCE MECA WAS FOUNDED IN 1988, WE HAVE SENT OR DELIVERED MORE THAN 54 MILLION DOLLARS IN AID TO CHILDREN IN PALESTINE, IRAQ, AND LEBANON TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING CAUSED BY WAR, SANCTIONS, AND OCCUPATION. WE DELIVER FOOD PARCELS, WARM WINTER CLOTHES, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, AS WELL AS PROVIDE CLOTHES, BOOKS, TOYS, AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES.IN FY 2024-2025 MECA CONTINUED TO RESPOND TO THE DIRE SITUATION IN GAZA. EVERY DAY, THE MIDDLE EAST CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE REMARKABLE AND COURAGEOUS TEAM ON THE GROUND STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONSARE RESPONDING TO THE URGENT NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH EMERGENCY AID.HOT MEALS & FOOD PARCELS MECA PARTNERED WITH WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN TO OPERATE COMMUNITY KITCHENS WITH SOLAR-POWERED STOVES MECA MADE GRANTS TO OPERATE 5 KITCHENS THAT COOKED AND DISTRIBUTED 5,176,781 HOT MEALS AND PROVIDED 287,832 LOAVES OF PITA BREAD TO DISPLACED FAMILIES MECA MADE GRANTS TO BUY AND DISTRIBUTE FOOD PARCELS TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES IN GAZA, THE WEST BANK AND LEBANON INCLUDING TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD PARCELS THAT WE RECEIVED AS IN-KIND DONATIONS. THE FOOD PARCELS INCLUDE ESSENTIAL FOOD STAPLES AND FRESH PRODUCE. EACH PARCEL CAN FEED A FAMILY FOR TWO TO THREE WEEKS.
  3. $310,219 spent. THE MAIA PROJECT:THE MAIA PROJECT TO PROVIDE CLEAN WATER TO CHILDREN IN GAZA BEGAN AT THE REQUEST OF SCHOOLCHILDREN IN GAZA. SINCE OCTOBER 2023, THE MAIA PROJECT HAS SHIFTED FOCUS TO BUILD WATER PURIFICATION UNITS THAT CAN SERVE DISPLACED FAMILIES AND TO BUY AND DISTRIBUTE CLEAN WATER BY TRUCK TO DIFFERENT AREAS WHERE FAMILIES HAVE NO SOURCE OF CLEAN DRINKING WATER.IN FY 2024-2025 MECA: INSTALLED 3 NEW OR REFURBISHED WATER PURIFICATION UNITS TO PROVIDE SAFE, CLEAN WATER TO DISPLACED FAMILIES IN GAZA INSTALLED 2 NEW WATER PURIFICATION UNITS TO PROVIDE SAFE, CLEAN WATER TO HOSPITALS IN GAZA AND THE DISPLACED FAMILIES SHELTERING IN THE AREAS AROUND THE HOSPITALS MADE GRANTS TO 4 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO BUY AND DISTRIBUTE 14,254,372 GALLONS OF CLEAN DRINKING WATER TO DISPLACED FAMILIES THROUGHOUT GAZA CONTRACTED WITH AN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER TO CONDUCT REGULAR MONITORING OF THE WATER QUALITY, OVERSEE THE REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE ON ALL THE WATER UNITS WE HAVE INSTALLED ACROSS GAZA, AND OVERSEE THE DISTRIBUTION OF EMERGENCY TRUCKED WATER TO DISPLACED FAMILIES.MECA ALSO PROVIDED OTHER FORMS OF EMERGENCY AID, MADE GRANTS TO PALESTINIAN UNIVERSITIES FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, SUPPORTED INCOME-GENERATION PROJECTS, MADE GRANTS TO OPERATE MALNUTRITION AND HEALTH CLINICS, AND CONTINUED OUR WORK TO BUILD GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE LIVES OF CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND TO INSPIRE PEOPLE IN THE US TO ACTION THROUGH A RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS.

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 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 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 February 1994.

    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.