Childcare Worldwide
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Childcare Worldwide (CW) transforms children's lives by exposing them to the gospel of Jesus Christ, providing for their physical needs, and sponsoring their education. We connect sponsors with children through Christ-based life centers. With sponsors and life centers removing barriers, children grow spiritually and physically into thriving productive adults.
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $3.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 21
- Volunteers
- 17
- Highest pay
- $140,734, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $1.0 million spent. Spiritual Development - In 2024, Childcare Worldwide's Life Center program served an average of 1,643 children weekly through 74 Life Centers in partnership with 66 local churches. Each week, children gathered for biblical instruction, mentorship, music, games, and a nutritious meal. Churches (carefully screened to ensure missional and biblical alignment) provided facilities, teachers, and pastoral support; programming, training, curriculum, materials, and food were supplied by CW. In 2024, Life Center Membership was launched, allowing 455 non-sponsorship children, including 80 first-time participants, to experience Life Centers. All 4000+ children in our program participated in Easter and Christmas celebrations which included gospel messages, parties, and holistic gifts. (Continued in Schedule O)Hope Pack (Easter) and Love Pack (Christmas) parties continued to be the highlights of the year for all our 4000+ children. At these holiday celebrations (held at Life Centers), children receive gifts and enjoy food, festivity and most of all the gospel message. Easter Hope Packs contained staple food and devotional materials for families. At Christmas, children received Love Packs filled with practical and faith-centered gifts. These seasonal outreaches reinforced the gospel message and provided joy to children and their families. With about 63% of the child population being in high school or college and unable to attend weekly Life Centers, teen-focused special events and spiritual resources continued to support older students. Twelve special Life Center events throughout the year focused on spiritual growth, leadership, and fellowship among teens and young adults. Participants also received weekly devotional guides and joined virtual small groups for deeper discipleship and connection.
- $1.0 million spent. Education - Access to education helps children overcome poverty and develop into capable leaders. In many communities, school fees are unaffordable for families. Through the school fee program, 3,152 children received financial assistance to attend and stay in school in 2024. School supplies were provided to 715 children, and uniforms were given to 440. Relationships with school administrators were strengthened, and attendance was verified each term before paying fees. Educational and career counseling was offered to high school graduates and students struggling academically, helping them plan for the future.
- $293,017 spent. Holistic Care - Physical needs can be barriers to receiving educational and spiritual messages. Childcare Worldwide provided over 2,800 holistic gifts in 2024, including water filters (648), mattresses (125), hygiene packs for teen girls (1,505), emergency food (254), and critical medical aid (9). Two medical screening events serving 413 children were hosted, and four water catchment systems were installed benefiting not only the Life Centers but also the greater communities. In addition to the critical assistance described above, every child in our program received Christmas and Easter gifts. At Easter, 4,500 food packs were distributed; at Christmas, 4,300 children received gifts. Throughout the year, more than 82,000 meals were served to children attending the weekly Life Center program.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.
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 April 1983.
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.
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.