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San Diego Center for Children

EIN 95-1661089 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1887, THE CENTER IS THE OLDEST CHILDREN'S NONPROFIT IN THE REGION ACCREDITED BY THE JOINT COMMISSION FOR ITS EXCELLENCE IN QUALITY OF CARE. THE CENTER PROVIDES A CONTINUUM OF THERAPEUTIC & EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO YOUTH & FAMILIES WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS.

Income
$29.8 million
Spending
$31.8 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
552
Volunteers
230
Highest pay
$278,522, president & ceo (thru 10/24)

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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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

    12 of 13 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 (4)
  1. $11.8 million spent. COMMUNITY BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - PROVIDE A RANGE OF EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS, IN HOMES, SCHOOLS, CLINICS, AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS, TO HELP CLIENTS WITH MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS BETTER COPE AND FUNCTION.
  2. $11.0 million spent. RESIDENTIAL THERAPEUTIC AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - PROVIDE A SAFE, STRUCTURED AND SUPERVISED THERAPEUTIC SETTING TO HELP YOUTH REACH TREATMENT OBJECTIVES BY IMPLEMENTING POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS AND EVIDENCE BASED INTERVENTIONS.
  3. $4.9 million spent. SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN ACADEMY - PROVIDE A STRUCTURED AND HOLISTIC EDUCATIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT AIMED AT HELPING STUDENTS REACH ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL GOALS. THE CENTER'S ACADEMY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE ACCREDITED BY WASC.
  4. THE SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN OFFERS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE CONTINUUM OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE REGION, INCLUDING PREVENTION, ASSESSMENT, OUTPATIENT TREATMENT, TRANSITION SERVICES, SPECIAL EDUCATION AND SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH, WRAPAROUND, FOSTER CARE, AND RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT. CURRENTLY, THE CENTER PROVIDES CARE TO OVER 1,450 CHILDREN, TEENS AND FAMILIES - IMPACTING THOUSANDS MORE LIVES INCLUDING FAMILIES, PEERS, NEIGHBORS, TEACHERS, AND OTHER CARING ADULTS. IN THE PAST YEAR WE HAVE MAINTAINED THE CENSUS IN OUR RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS THROUGH ESTABLISHING PRIVATE MANAGED CARE CONTRACTS, AND CONTINUING TO BUILD OUR STRONG RELATIONS WITH SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND MULTIPLE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. WE ARE THE ONLY PROVIDER OF THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF LICENSED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN AGES 6 TO 13 IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. IN A BENCHMARKING ANALYSIS, OUR RATE OF SUCCESSFUL DISCHARGE TO LOWER LEVEL CARE EXCEEDS THE AVERAGE FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CARE. OUR CONTRACTED PROGRAMS WITH SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTINUE TO SHOW YEAR-OVER-YEAR GROWTH AND COORDINATED DEVELOPMENT TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS FOR SPECIALTY MENTAL HEALTH, JUVENILE PROBATION, AND FOSTER CARE SERVICES. THE CENTER ADDITIONALLY CONTINUED TO GROW THE FAMILY WELLNESS CENTER CLINIC IN THE EAST REGION, PROVIDING FEE-FOR-SERVICE OUTPATIENT AND SCHOOL-BASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE TO CHILDREN, TEENS, AND FAMILIES REGARDLESS OF THEIR MEANS OF PAYMENT. SERVICES INCLUDE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT, THERAPY, AND PSYCHIATRY FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES; ADDITIONAL SPECIALTY SERVICES INCLUDE SCHOOL CONSULTATION, COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENTS OF FAMILIES' NEEDS AND FAMILY THERAPY, AND BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM. OUR GOAL IS TO BECOME A "ONE STOP SHOP" IN SUPPORTING FAMILIES TO DEVELOP THE SKILLS AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO HELP THEIR CHILD THRIVE. ENROLLMENT IN OUR SCHOOL BASED AND SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CONTINUED TO INCREASE. IN 2018, WE CONTINUED TO ENHANCE OUR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS PROGRAM TO AID TRANSITION AGED YOUTH WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS IN DEVELOPING INDIVIDUALIZED TRANSITION PLANS, ESSENTIAL SKILLS OF INDEPENDENCE AND CONNECTIONS TO PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTS. LASTLY, WE HAVE HAD GREATER IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH THROUGH PRINT, TV, AND SOCIAL MEDIA; CORPORATE PRESENTATIONS; A NEWSLETTER AND OUR WEBSITE. OUR GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR CLINICAL AND EDUCATIONAL FIELDS PROVIDES DIRECT CARE TRAINING AND SUPERVISION FOR 25 MASTER'S AND DOCTORAL STUDENTS ANNUALLY.

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 1936.

    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.

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