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Foundation for Early Childhood Education

EIN 95-2462664 · Pasadena, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Foundation for ECE's purpose is to provide comprehensive Head Start/Early Head Start and State Preschool services. High quality early learning classrooms for children 18 months to kindergarten entry, 5 days a week, 7 hours per day. Family services and support provided though resources to local agencies to meet family needs.

Income
$17.7 million
Spending
$17.6 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
166
Volunteers
175
Highest pay
$217,011, executive dir.

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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 94% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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. $14.5 million spent. Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) are funded to Foundation for ECE indirectly. LACOE (LA Co Office of Education) is the Grantee, and Foundation operates as a sub-recipient. HS & EHS services are providedat no cost to eligible families and children. Eligibility is prioritized to serve children of families with highest risk factors.Priority is rated by factors such as with low- income, homelessness, foster children, at-risk family factors (DCFS, CPS), and children with disabilities. Children are age eligible at 18 months to enroll. Children are accepted until kindergarten entry age. Head Start and Early Head Start offers comprehensive services including social, health, mental health, nutrition, and parent involvement.
  2. $2.5 million spent. The California State Preschool is funded by the California Department of Education (CDE) Child Development Division and is a free part day (3 hour) comprehensive child development program that is partnered with our Head Start program, to offer a longer day, 7 hours of service, Monday Friday 175 school days each program year.Program serves 3-to-4-year-old children from low-income families residing inthe local community. Priority is given to children of families with open cases with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), as space is available. State Preschool provides free meals and snacks to children enrolled in the program and also provides education to parents and encourages them to participate in the program.
  3. $563,835 spent. The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) funded through the CDSS provides meals to children at school. This no cost program provides breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack at school each day. Healthy heating supports their overall develop and promotes the establishment of healthy eating habits at a young age. Meals are typically served in a family style setting, with children and adults sitting around the table. The program provides daily meals that are, high in nutrients, low in fats, salt and sugar. See Schedule O for further details. The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) funded through the CDSS provides meals to children at school. This no cost program provides breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack at school each day. Healthy heating supports their overall develop and promotes the establishment of healthy eating habits at a young age. Meals are typically served in a family style setting, with children and adults sitting around the table. The program provides daily meals that are, high in nutrients, low in fats, salt and sugar. Meals are individualized for children with allergies and other medically indicated needs. Meals are served family style, encourage children to try new foods, and allow children to serve themselves, selecting healthy foods and enjoying a social experience with their peers and Teachers. Meals are specially prepared for children with dietary restrictions including allergies or religious practices. A vendor is used to prepare all meals and they are delivered to sites daily.Total program expenses were $726,531.
  4. $29,536 spent. Other program total program expenses were $29,536.

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 July 1969.

    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.