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Connections for Children

EIN 95-3839796 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CONNECTIONS FOR CHILDREN'S MISSION IS TO BUILD A STRONGER FUTURE FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND THE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION COMMUNITY BY CONNECTING THEM TO RESOURCES, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMIC SUPPORT.

Income
$30.2 million
Spending
$30.0 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 99%
Employees
58
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$266,794, 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 84% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% 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. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 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. $21.0 million spent. SUBSIDY PROGRAMS - CONNECTIONS FOR CHILDREN ADMINISTERS SUBSIDYPROGRAMS TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITIES, INCLUDINGTHOSE MOVING FROM WELFARE TO WORK, TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE.PARTIAL OR FULL PAYMENT TOWARDS CHILD CARE ENABLES PARENTS TO WORK,ATTEND SCHOOL OR RECEIVE JOB TRAINING WITH THE ASSURANCE THAT THEIRCHILDREN, UP TO AGE 12, ARE IN THE CHILD CARE ARRANGEMENT THAT BESTSUITS THEIR FAMILY NEEDS. PARENTS MAY CHOOSE CARE IN LICENSED CENTERS,FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES, OR WITH RELATIVES, FRIENDS, OR NEIGHBORS. OURPROGRAM SPECIALISTS WORK WITH EACH FAMILY TO CERTIFY ELIGIBILITY ANDMAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO PAY CHILDCARE PROVIDERS FOR THEIR SERVICES. 1,753FAMILIES (2,829 CHILDREN) RECEIVED ASSISTANCE WITH CHILD CARE COSTS.
  2. $1.5 million spent. SANTA MONICA PROGRAM - CONNECTIONS FOR CHILDREN PROVIDES A VARIETY OFSERVICES TO RESIDENTS OF SANTA MONICA UNDER A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY'SHUMAN SERVICES DIVISION. STAFF WORKED WITH 465 FAMILIES TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE REFERRALS FOR CHILD CARE PROGRAMS IN SANTA MONICA THAT MEET THEIR NEEDS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR 247 SANTA MONICA CHILDREN FROM 186 LOW-INCOME FAMILIES TO ATTEND CHILD CARE PROGRAMS WITHIN THE CITY. WEEKLY EARLY LEARNING PLAY GROUPS WERE CONDUCTED FOR A TOTAL OF 231 CHILDREN AND 188 ADULTS, INCLUDING PARENTS, OTHER RELATIVES, AND CAREGIVERS.
  3. $601,983 spent. QUALITY START - THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES TRAINING AND COACHING SERVICES TOASSIST CHILD CARE PROVIDERS WITH THE SKILLS TO BUILD EXPERTISE IN BESTPRACTICES FOR CHILD CARE. IT PROVIDES ONE TO ONE MENTORING ANDTECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILD CARE PROFESSIONALS AND EARLY CHILDHOODEDUCATORS. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COACHES WORKED WITH 253 TEACHERSAND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ACROSS 153 CENTER-BASED PROGRAMS AND FAMILYCHILDCARE HOMES TO PROVIDE 836 CUSTOMIZED COACHING HOURS.
  4. $5.6 million spent. OTHER CHILD CARE PROGRAMS CONSISTS OF: (A) EMERGENCY CHILD CARE BRIDGEPROGRAM PROVIDED ENHANCED REFERRALS AND CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES TO 75FAMILIES TO SUPPORT 80 CHILDREN IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. (B) PREVENTIVE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAMS FACILITATED 13 TRAININGS, FOR A TOTAL OF 80 HOURS - 120 PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED. C) RESOURCE AND REFERRAL PROGRAM HELPED 10,526 PARENTS/CAREGIVERS RECEIVE CHILD CARE INFORMATION AND REFERRALS. D)CONNECTIONS FOR CHILDREN FACILITATED 92 EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAININGS FOR A TOTAL OF 265 HOURS -174 PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED.

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 June 1983.

    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.