To transform the lives of Children by supporting, empowering, and advocating for the adults who make the biggest impact on children's lives-their parents, caregivers and teachers.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
95¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
$240K paid to officers and key staff.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · Pay: Part VII

Before you give

FY2024 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
4 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average deficit $77K a year · under 1% of revenue · last 6 filings
Fine: a surplus in 4 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
95%
of spending
Looks good: 95% of spending went to programs; 75% or more.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$240K
to officers and key staff · 1% of spending
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 1% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
2 mo
of spending, in cash
Fine: 2.5 months of spending in cash; 1 to 3.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
1
named funder · $22K
Fine: 1 funder names it on their filings; under 3.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$3.5M
59% of total assets
Fine: liabilities are 59% of assets; 50% to 65%.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
16
of 16 voting members
Looks good: 16 of 16 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$18.7M
+17% vs prior year
Spent
$19.2M
To programs
95%
Net assets
$2.5M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$18.7M
FY2024▲ +17%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$4.8M
FY2021$4.3M
FY2022$6.3M
FY2023$16.0M
FY2024$18.7M
FY2025$14.5M
Expenses
$19.2M
FY2024▲ +21%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$4.7M
FY2021$4.3M
FY2022$6.1M
FY2023$15.9M
FY2024$19.2M
FY2025$15.0M
Net assets
$2.5M
FY2024▼ -17%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$2.6M
FY2021$2.7M
FY2022$2.9M
FY2023$3.0M
FY2024$2.5M
FY2025$2.0M

From the FY2024 Form 990 (year ending June 2024) · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

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You’re viewing the FY2024 filing — not the latest on file. See the latest (FY2025) →

Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Mar 1973.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

95 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 95% · $18.2M Management & general 4% · $790K Fundraising 1% · $211K

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

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Who runs it and what they're paid

19 people listed on the 990; $240K paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation · most recent filed roster (FY2023); the FY2024 filing did not itemize Part VII
$139,197Pt VII · Sec A
Director of Organizational Advancement
$100,819Pt VII · Sec A
Treasurer
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Trustee
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Eric Karolak’s $162K as CEO to June 2025 is at the 25th percentile of top reported officer pay among 3122 $10–100M human services nonprofits. Peer set: organizations in the same NTEE major field of work and revenue-size band, compared on each org’s own highest-paid officer/key-employee, from Form 990 Part VII / 990-PF Part VIII. Descriptive placement, not a verdict on whether the pay is appropriate.

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 4 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Eric Karolak$161,763——$153,175$136,578$135,354
Eric J Karolak PHD—$139,197$143,040———
Stephanie McFadden$106,873—————
Natalie Atkins$104,632$100,819————

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

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Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Provides FBI and BCI background checks and fingerprinting services to child care professionals, parents, guardians, and community members.

Questions for Action for Children

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Your first name shows with your question. Action for Children answers here, for everyone.

Provided by the organization

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3 programs · $18.2M · in their own filed words · FY2023
01

Early Childhood Community

Action for children provided 5,677 hours of quality improvement coaching and technical assistance to child care programs and professionals. This includes 2,734 hours of step up to quality coaching to support high-quality early care and education.

$14.1Mprogram expense
02

Parents, Guardians, and Families

The family and community engagement (face) department hosted three cornerstone events: spring fling, back to school family fair, and fall fest. The back to school event alone welcomed over 700 attendees and distributed more than 400 backpacks filled with supplies.

$4.1Mprogram expense
03

Community

Action for children provides federal bureau of investigation (fbi) checks and bureau of criminal investigation (bci) background checks and fingerprinting services to child care professionals, parents and guardians, and other members of the community.

$16Kprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · received and paid
Grants received · FY2025
Total grants receivedfrom 1 funder$22K
Grants paid · 384 grants · $23.3M · 2021–2024
Unitemized GrantFY2024$5,186,893
Unitemized GrantFY2024$442,663
Tender Years Learning CenterFY2024$15,000
Starting Point Learning CenterFY2024$15,000
Pathway II Destiny ChildcareFY2024$15,000
Little Miracles EdcFY2024$15,000
G Tyree Learning CenterOH · FY2024$15,000
Future Scholars Learning AcademyFY2024$15,000
Fulbright Learning CenterFY2024$15,000
Driving Park Early Learning CenterFY2024$15,000
Cdcfc North Linden Early Learning CenterOH · FY2024$15,000
YMCA - Jerry L Garver Child Care ProgramOH · FY2024$10,000
Tiny Tots Day Care ServicesFY2024$10,000
Rainbow2 Childcare INCFY2024$10,000
Rainbow Childcare INCFY2024$10,000
North Branch YMCAOH · FY2024$10,000
Little Ones Learning CenterFY2024$10,000
See all 384 grants →

By the numbers

The FY2024 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$18.7M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$17.8M
Fees for servicesLn 2g$879K
Investment incomeLn 3$18K
Money outPt IX
$19.2M
Ln 25
Programscol B$18.2M
Managementcol C$790K
Fundraisingcol D$211K
Owns and owesPt X
$2.5M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$4.0M
Total assetsLn 16$6.0M
LiabilitiesLn 26$3.5M
PeoplePt VI, VII
19
listed · VII A
PaidVII A2
Voting boardVI 1a16
IndependentVI 1b16
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$17.8M
Government grantsLn 1e$11.5M
Fees for servicesLn 2g$879K
Investment incomeLn 3$18K
Other incomeLn 4–11$9K
Total revenueLn 12$18.7M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$3.7M
SavingsLn 2$264K
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$4.0M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$228K
Other assetsLn 15$0
Total assetsLn 16$6.0M
LiabilitiesLn 26$3.5M
Net assetsLn 32$2.5M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 5116
VolunteersI 6320
Fiscal year endsHeaderJune
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY24End FY24
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$5.0M$4.0M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$328K$228K
Total assetsLn 16$7.2M$6.0M
LiabilitiesLn 26$4.2M$3.5M
Net assetsLn 32$3.0M$2.5M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Grants to domestic organizationsLn 1$3.9M$3.9M
Grants to domestic individualsLn 2$6.7M$6.7M
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$139K$139K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$4.6M$4.4M$160K$125K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$562K$524K$26K$12K
Payroll taxesLn 10$377K$345K$22K$10K
Legal feesLn 11b$14K$14K
Accounting feesLn 11c$37K$36K$1K$603
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$1.0M$862K$147K$34K
Advertising and promotionLn 12$215K$199K$7K$9K
Office expensesLn 13$67K$41K$22K$4K
OccupancyLn 16$295K$273K$18K$4K
TravelLn 17$98K$86K$7K$5K
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$74K$71K$2K$464
InterestLn 20$6K$3K$3K
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$126K$121K$3K$3K
InsuranceLn 23$36K$34K$872$624
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$856K$634K$217K$5K
Total functional expensesLn 25$19.2M$18.2M$790K$211K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest $14.5M$15.0M−$445K$2.0M 990 PDF
FY2024 Viewing $18.7M$19.2M−$505K$2.5M 990 PDF
FY2023 $16.0M$15.9M$81K$3.0M 990 PDF
FY2022 $6.3M$6.1M$249K$2.9M 990 PDF
FY2021 $4.3M$4.3M$56K$2.7M 990 PDF
FY2020 $4.8M$4.7M$104K$2.6M 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons I · Grants A · Public support O · Explanations
See the full FY2024 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $18,674,824 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $15,285,472$17,768,902
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $701,882$878,971
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $6,608$18,062
I-11 Other revenuePrior year −$43,336$8,889
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $15,950,626$18,674,824
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $7,934,174$10,591,426
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $5,077,350$5,722,685
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $2,858,117$2,865,982
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $15,869,641$19,180,093
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year $80,985−$505,269
Part VI · Governance 16 of 16 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body16
VI-1b Independent voting members16
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $18,674,824 across 9 lines filed
VIII-1a Federated campaigns$175,893
VIII-1e Government grants$11,492,223
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$6,100,786
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$17,768,902
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $878,971$878,971
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $18,062$18,062
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsExcluded from tax −$3,638−$3,638
VIII-11a-d Other revenue, itemized rows (sum of 11a–11d as filed)Excluded from tax $12,527$12,527
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $878,971 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $26,951$18,674,824
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $19,180,093 across 18 lines filed
IX-1 Grants to domestic organizationsPrograms $3,850,461$3,850,461
IX-2 Grants to domestic individualsPrograms $6,740,965$6,740,965
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffManagement $139,197$139,197
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $4,360,033 · Management $160,487 · Fundraising $124,657$4,645,177
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $523,772 · Management $26,300 · Fundraising $11,699$561,771
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $345,338 · Management $21,586 · Fundraising $9,616$376,540
IX-11b Legal feesManagement $14,431$14,431
IX-11c Accounting feesPrograms $35,648 · Management $1,034 · Fundraising $603$37,285
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $861,529 · Management $146,731 · Fundraising $34,288$1,042,548
IX-12 Advertising and promotionPrograms $199,174 · Management $6,948 · Fundraising $8,677$214,799
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $41,304 · Management $21,585 · Fundraising $3,766$66,655
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $272,882 · Management $18,231 · Fundraising $4,159$295,272
IX-17 TravelPrograms $85,950 · Management $7,148 · Fundraising $5,086$98,184
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetingsPrograms $71,275 · Management $1,984 · Fundraising $464$73,723
IX-20 InterestPrograms $2,967 · Management $3,238$6,205
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $120,541 · Management $2,511 · Fundraising $2,511$125,563
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $34,254 · Management $872 · Fundraising $624$35,750
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $633,690 · Management $217,236 · Fundraising $4,641$855,567
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $18,179,783 · Management $789,519 · Fundraising $210,791$19,180,093
Part X · Balance sheet $5,979,337 assets, 15 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $4,650,207$3,698,961
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $396,383$263,779
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $1,676,535$1,739,926
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $34,658$48,357
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $328,369$228,314
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $92,667$0
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $7,178,819$5,979,337
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $502,813$697,660
X-19 Deferred revenueStart of year $3,506,837$2,743,704
X-25 Other liabilitiesStart of year $184,390$58,463
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $4,194,040$3,499,827
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $2,978,733$2,473,464
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $6,046$6,046
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $2,984,779$2,479,510
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $7,178,819$5,979,337
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $2,479,510 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$18,674,824
XI-2 Total expenses$19,180,093
XI-3 Revenue less expenses−$505,269
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$2,984,779
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$0
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$2,479,510

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2024 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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