Childrens Defense Fund

Analysis

Childrens Defense Fund is a registered charity in United States, based in Washington, DC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in November 1969, 57 years ago. Its declared purposes cover civil rights, social action and advocacy, which this site groups under human rights and equality. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Childrens Defense Fund reported income of $23.5m and spending of $34.3m, spending 146% of what it took in. Across the 6 years on record, from September 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $18.0m to $23.5m (+31%), an average of +5.5% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2021, when income rose by 114%. Over the whole period it spent 91% of the income it received.

Among 9,611 United States charities whose main cause is human rights and equality and that reported income, Childrens Defense Fund sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 97th percentile, and in the 94th percentile within DC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include International Institute of New England Inc ($23.3m), Queens Law Associates Not-For-Profit Corporation ($24.2m) and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc ($23.0m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 77% and program service revenue 20% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.0m (3.0% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $11.5m. At year end it held assets of $57.6m against liabilities of $18.6m, net assets of $39.0m. It reported 296 employees.