Children's Defense Fund
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Children's Defense Fund does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
CDF does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2024 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses by each major program category (public education, media campaigns, internet outreach and pulications, policy advocay to improve the odds for children, programs that invest in children and communities who will lead the movement).
- Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
- Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.
Children's Defense Fund meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to ensure every child a healthy start, a head start, a fair start, a safe start and a moral start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities."
Year, State Incorporated:
1969, DC
Children's Defense Fund (CDF) works to advocate for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. The organization reports that it pays particular attention to the needs of poor children, children of color and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investments before they get sick, drop out of school, get into trouble or suffer family breakdown. The organization supports policies and programs that lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure their access to health care, quality education and a moral and spiritual foundation. CDF advocates nationwide on behalf of children to ensure children are always a priority. CDF Haley Farm in Tennessee is the organization's home for spiritual renewal, character and leadership development, inter-generational mentoring, and interracial and interfaith dialogue about children's issues.
For the year ended September 30, 2021, Children's Defense Fund's program expenses were:
| Policy advocacy to improve the odds for children | $4,415,354 |
| Public education, media campaigns, internet outreach and publications | $6,640,083 |
| Program that invest in children and communities who will lead the movement | $3,427,121 |
| Total Program Expenses | $14,482,558 |
Chief Executive
Starsky Wilson, Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$250,000
Chair of the Board
Laphonza Butler
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
President, Emily's List
Board Size
14
Paid Staff Size
165
*2022 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Foundation grants, Corporate solicitation
Fundraising costs were 7% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $43,561,455, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Children's Defense Fund's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2021.
Source of Funds
| Rental income | $16,000 |
| PPP assistance | $23,784 |
| Miscellaneous | $55,253 |
| Interest and dividends | $528,119 |
| Special events | $767,163 |
| Net realized and unrealized gains | $1,831,223 |
| Government grants | $2,192,548 |
| Training and Haley Farm fees | $2,799,831 |
| Foundations and corporations | $12,403,748 |
| Individuals | $25,092,823 |
| Total Income | $45,710,492 |
Programs: 68% Fundraising: 14% Administrative: 19%
| Total Income | $45,710,492 |
| Total expenses: | $21,437,261 |
| Program expenses | $14,482,558 |
| Fundraising expenses | $2,965,276 |
| Administrative expenses | $3,989,427 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $24,273,231 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $26,210,307 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $50,483,538 |
| Total Liabilities | $4,884,637 |
| Total Assets | $55,368,175 |
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance