Exceptional Childrens Foundation a Corp
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION (ECF) IS TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST QUALITY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WHO ARE CHALLENGED WITH DEVELOPMENTAL, LEARNING, AND EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES - EMPOWERING THEM TO REACH THEIR GREATEST POTENTIAL.
- Income
- $27.6 million
- Spending
- $26.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 9.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 85%
- Employees
- 450
- Volunteers
- 35
- Highest pay
- $338,533, president/ceo
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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $7.1 million spent. KAYNE ERAS CENTER - ECF'S KAYNE ERAS CENTER OPERATES A K-12 NONPUBLIC SCHOOL THAT PROVIDES SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING, EMOTIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. KECS EDUCATIONAL APPROACH INCLUDES INTENSIVE SPECIALIZED PROGRAMMING AND INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH CHILD AND HIS OR HER FAMILY. EACH YEAR ECF ALSO PROVIDES AN ARRAY OF THERAPEUTIC SERVICES, INCLUDING COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, TO APPROXIMATELY 200 AT RISK YOUTH (AND THEIR FAMILIES) TO IMPROVE THEIR WELL BEING AND HELP THEM SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS.
- $4.2 million spent. EARLY START PROGRAM - ECF'S EARLY START PROGRAM PROVIDES HOME AND CENTER-BASED EARLY INTERVENTION AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS OR DISABILITIES. EACH YEAR THE PROGRAM SERVES MORE THAN 1,000 CHILDREN AGED BIRTH TO THREE WHO MAY BE CHALLENGED WITH AUTISM, DOWN SYNDROME, CEREBRAL PALSY, INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, SPEECH AND LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENTS, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES, OR OTHER DISABILITIES/DELAYS. FROM SITES IN ARLETA AND SOUTH LOS ANGELES, EARLY START PROVIDES EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVICES IN COMMUNITY CENTER SETTINGS AND VIA HOME VISITS. BOTH OFFER OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE CHILD DEVELOPMENT WHILE ALSO PROVIDING CRITICAL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO APPROXIMATELY 1,000 FAMILY MEMBERS ANNUALLY.
- $4.3 million spent. RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM - ECF'S RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES A VARIETY OF LIVING ARRANGEMENTS COUPLED WITH IN-HOME LIVING SKILLS TRAINING AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR 60 PARTICIPANTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHOM HAVE A DIAGNOSIS OF MILD TO MODERATE INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING SAFE AND COMFORTABLE HOUSING AT SIX LOCATIONS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO FOSTER THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE THROUGH FULL AND PROACTIVE HOME AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
- $7.4 million spent. COMMUNITY FUSION - THE COMMUNITY FUSION PROGRAM SERVES ADULTS WHO HAVE MODERATE TO PROFOUND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. APPROXIMATELY 50% HAVE A HIGH NEED FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THEIR DAILY LIVING ACTIVITIES. THE FULL-DAY COMMUNITY FUSION PROGRAM OFFERS PARTICIPANTS TRAINING IN SELF-HELP, AIMING TO INCREASE THEIR VOCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL, AND SOCIAL SKILLS. CLIENTS ALSO PARTICIPATE IN HEALTH AND FITNESS ACTIVITIES, WHICH ARE SPECIFICALLY GEARED TO AGING ADULTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE EXPERIENCES SUCH AS TRIPS TO THE GROCERY STORE, COMMUNITY ART FAIRS, THE PARK, AND PARTICIPATION IN A RANGE OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS - EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PROVIDE CLIENTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES. PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS ARE IN PLACE WITH BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN INGLEWOOD, CULVER CITY AND WEST LOS ANGELES, WHERE CLIENTS PLAY A VALUED ROLE WHILE DEVELOPING SOCIAL SKILLS AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.ART CENTERS - WITH STUDIOS IN INGLEWOOD, SAN PEDRO, WHITTIER AND SOUTH LOS ANGELES, THE ART CENTERS PROGRAM ENCOURAGES, ASSISTS AND SUPPORTS THE MAXIMUM PERSONAL ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THE ART CENTER PROGRAM IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR ITS LEADERSHIP IN DEMONSTRATING THAT INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES CAN OFTEN PRODUCE FINE ART. ART PRODUCED BY ECF ADULT ARTISTS IS SHOWCASED AT OUR STUDIOS AS WELL AS JURIED ART SHOWS AND IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT WWW.ARTECF.ORG. ARTISTS RECEIVE A 50%COMMISSION FROM SALES OF THEIR WORK. 50% GOES BACK TO ECF ART CENTERS TO HELP FUND SERVICES FOR ECF ARTISTS.EXCEPTIONAL PACKAGING SOLUTIONS - AT A WORK ACTIVITY SITE IN INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA, ADULTS LEARN GOOD WORK HABITS AND APPROPRIATE SOCIAL SKILLS WHILE MEETING GOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS FOR PACKAGING, ASSEMBLY AND REWORK. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FACILITY BASED VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND PAID WORK TO IMPROVE EARNING POTENTIAL AND INDEPENDENT FUNCTIONING OF PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND TO PROMOTE TRANSITION TO COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT SETTINGS.ACCELERATED PREPARATION PROGRAM - THE ACCELERATED PREPARATION PROGRAM EXPEDITES THE TIME IT TAKES ADULTS WITH LOWER-THAN-AVERAGE WORK PRODUCTIVITY LEVELS TO PREPARE FOR MORE ADVANCED EMPLOYMENT TRAINING BY: - TEACHING THE WORK, LIFE AND SOFT SKILLS NEEDED TO BECOME EMPLOYABLE. - ASSESSING PARTICIPANT STRENGTHS AND MATCHING TRAINING TO THEIR INTERESTS. - PROVIDING CUSTOMIZED INSTRUCTION AND TRAINING MATERIALS FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL. - OFFERING WORK EXPERIENCE THAT PAYS MINIMUM WAGE WHILE PROVIDING SUPPORT AND TRAINING AROUND WORK HABITS, BEHAVIORS AND SKILLS.PARTICIPANTS COMPLETE THE PROGRAM WITH A BROADER SET OF SKILLS AND INCREASED SELF-MOTIVATION TO ACCELERATE THEIR TRANSITION INTO WORK READINESS CLASSES OR THE EXCEPTIONAL TRAINING ACADEMY.EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS - EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS SUPPORTS ADULTS ALONG EACH STEP OF THEIR PATHWAY TO EMPLOYMENT. THE ORGANIZATION STAFF WORK TO HELP PARTICIPANTS RETAIN AND THRIVE IN COMMUNITY-BASED EMPLOYMENT, OFFERING PERSONALIZED SUPPORT THAT HELPS EACH PARTICIPANT FIND A JOB THAT MATCHES THEIR INDIVIDUAL ABILITIES AND GOALS, INCLUDING: - DETERMINING EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCES, STRENGTHS, AND TRANSPORTATION - JOB SEARCH STRUCTURING AND STRATEGIES - INTERVIEW PREPARATION AND PRACTICE - COORDINATING SERVICES WITH SUPPORT NETWORK - EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION COACHING AND ON-SITE JOB TRAININGINDIVIDUALIZED PATHWAYS PROGRAM - THE INDIVIDUALIZED PATHWAYS PROGRAM PROVIDES IN-DEPTH TRANSITIONAL PLANS FOR ADULTS, PARTICULARLY YOUNG ADULTS, TO HELP THEM ACCESS COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND GAIN MORE TRAINING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT TO ENTER THE JOB MARKET OR ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING.WORK READINESS - THROUGH INSTRUCTION AND GROUP LEARNING, PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP THE SKILLS NEEDED TO CONDUCT A JOB SEARCH AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING: UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES, COMPLETING APPLICATIONS, WRITING A RESUME, INTERVIEWING, PROFESSIONAL GROOMING AND HYGIENE, WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION, AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH. PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE ACCELERATED PREPARATION PROGRAM OR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CURRENTLY PARTICIPATING IN THE EXCEPTIONAL TRAINING ACADEMY OR EXCEPTIONAL PACKAGING SOLUTIONS MAY ALSO PARTICIPATE IN WORK READINESS CLASSES.EXCEPTIONAL TRAINING ACADEMY - THE EXCEPTIONAL TRAINING ACADEMY OFFERS VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN COMPUTER LITERACY, CULINARY ARTS, JANITORIAL SERVICES, RETAIL SALES AND WAREHOUSE OPERATIONS. UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THEIR TRAINING, PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE LEARNED THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO HELP THEM SECURE MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT WITH A COMMUNITY EMPLOYER.COLLEGE CLASSROOM PROGRAM - IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES IN-CLASS SUPPORT TO ADULT STUDENTS, HELPING THEM TO COMPLETE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSES. THE COMPUTER NUMERICAL CONTROL ("CNC") COURSE, A MACHINISTS PROGRAM TEACHES PARTICIPANTS TO SET UP AND OPERATE CNC MACHINES TO PRODUCE COMPLEX PRECISION PARTS AND TOOLS BY CUTTING, GRINDING, AND DRILLING INTO VARIOUS TYPES OF METALS AND PLASTICS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1949.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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