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Options for Learning

EIN 95-3602641 · West Covina, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OPTIONS FOR LEARNING IS A LEADER IN PREPARING CHILDREN AND SUPPORTING FAMILIES FOR LIFE SUCCESS THROUGH INNOVATIVE, QUALITY CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.VISION: UNLOCKING THE PROMISE OF EVERY CHILD.

Income
$182.0 million
Spending
$174.5 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 97%
Employees
1,046
Volunteers
69
Highest pay
$502,157, chief executive officer

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: 60 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 52% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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. $82.0 million spent. VOUCHER & R&R PROGRAMS - SEE SCHEDULE O VOUCHER PROGRAM - OPTIONS FOR LEARNING IS ABLE TO OFFER SUBSIDIZED CHILD CARE THROUGH CONTRACTS WITH COMMUNITY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND REIMBURSEMENTS TO PARENTS THROUGH OBJECTIVE REFERRALS TO CHILD CARE FOR PARENTS AND A VARIETY OF TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR PROVIDERS.
  2. $51.8 million spent. EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS - SEE SCHEDULE OEARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS - TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN PREPARING FOR KINDERGARTEN AND THE TRANSITION TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, OPTIONS FOR LEARNING OFFERS A YEAR-ROUND HIGH-QUALITY, DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN 0 TO 5 YEARS OLD. THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO MEET EACH CHILD'S INDIVIDUAL NEEDS WHILE FOSTERING STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. SERVICES INCLUDE EARLY HEAD START AND GENERAL CHILDCARE PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AGES 0 TO 3 YEARS OLD, AND CALIFORNIA STATE PRESCHOOL AND HEAD START PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 5 YEARS OLD. OPTIONS FOR LEARNING DELIVERS A RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL AND COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INFANT, TODDLER, AND PRESCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN. ADDITIONALLY, OPTIONS FOR LEARNING OFFERS HOME VISITING PROGRAMS PRIMARILY FOR TEEN PARENTS SUPPORTING THEM AS THEY COMPLETE HIGH SCHOOL OR PURSUE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.
  3. $16.2 million spent. SCHOOL-AGE PROGRAMS - SEE SCHEDULE O SCHOOL-AGE PROGRAMS - OPTIONS FOR LEARNING PROVIDES YEAR-ROUND BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL AND EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN THROUGH GENERAL CHILDCARE. THE PROGRAM IS TAILORED TO SUPPORT EACH CHILD'S UNIQUE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS WHILE BUILDING STRONG, COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. ADDITIONALLY, OPTIONS FOR LEARNING PROVIDES AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN THROUGH AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT AND SAFETY PROGRAM.
  4. $12.7 million spent. NUTRITION PROGRAM - OPTIONS FOR LEARNING PROVIDES MEALS TO CHILDREN IN ITS CENTERS AND REIMBURSEMENT TO LICENSED FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS FOR MEALS SERVED IN THEIR HOMES TO CHILDREN, IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS.OTHER CONTRACTS - OPTIONS FOR LEARNING PROVIDES OTHER CHILD CARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR EXISTING PROGRAMS WHICH ARE FUNDED BY FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GRANTS AND STIPENDS.

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 October 1981.

    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.

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.