START EARLY

EIN: 363186328 501(c)(3)

CHICAGO, IL

Total Revenue
$115,249,579
Total Expenses
$116,502,911
Total Assets
$124,441,052
Net Assets
$98,774,404
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1982
Legal Domicile
IL
Principal Officer
DIANA RAUNER
Phone
3129223863
Tax Period
2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

START EARLY, founded in 1982, is a major nonprofit that reported $115.2M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue decreased 15% compared to the prior year.

Mission

START EARLY ADVANCES QUALITY EARLY LEARNING FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, BEFORE BIRTH THROUGH THEIR EARLIEST YEARS, TO HELP CLOSE THE OPPORTUNITY GAP.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $43,977,018 Revenue: $11,862

START EARLY PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME CHILDREN, BIRTH TO AGE FIVE, AND THEIR FAMILIES, AS WELL AS SERVICES TO PREGNANT WOMEN, THROUGH A MULTI-SITE NETWORK OF EARLY...

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START EARLY PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME CHILDREN, BIRTH TO AGE FIVE, AND THEIR FAMILIES, AS WELL AS SERVICES TO PREGNANT WOMEN, THROUGH A MULTI-SITE NETWORK OF EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS, FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES, AND DIRECTLY-OPERATED PROGRAMS IN UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT CHICAGO AND SURROUNDING SUBURBS. WE SUPPORT AND TRAIN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE AND PARTNER AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS TO ENSURE POLICIES PUT FAMILIES FIRST. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, START EARLY DIRECTLY OPERATED THREE PROGRAMS: THE EDUCARE CHICAGO SCHOOL AT 5044 S WABASH AVE, HEALTHY PARENTS & BABIES AT 100 N. WESTERN AVE., AND LAKE COUNTY EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS LOCATED AT TWO SITES IN LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS. START EARLY ALSO SUBCONTRACTED WITH 13 AGENCIES ACROSS 22 GEOGRAPHICALLY DIVERSE SITES, SERVING NEARLY 2,000 YOUNG CHILDREN, PREGNANT WOMEN, AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Program 2
Expenses: $16,081,868 Revenue: $518,928

START EARLY'S HOME VISITING AND DOULA NETWORK ANNUALLY REACHES APPROXIMATELY 1,360 HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED YOUNG CHILDREN, PREGNANT WOMEN, AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH A STATEWIDE NETWORK OF HOME...

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START EARLY'S HOME VISITING AND DOULA NETWORK ANNUALLY REACHES APPROXIMATELY 1,360 HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED YOUNG CHILDREN, PREGNANT WOMEN, AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH A STATEWIDE NETWORK OF HOME VISITING AND DOULA SERVICES. THE HOME VISITING AND DOULA NETWORK CONDUCTS SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 170 EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS WORKING FOR 24 COMMUNITY AGENCIES ACROSS CHICAGO AND THROUGHOUT ILLINOIS.

Program 3
Expenses: $10,446,925 Revenue: $1,441,383

THE EDUCARE LEARNING NETWORK (ELN) EXTENDS THE IMPACT OF START EARLY'S EXTENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE TO STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THROUGH CONSULTATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN...

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THE EDUCARE LEARNING NETWORK (ELN) EXTENDS THE IMPACT OF START EARLY'S EXTENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE TO STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THROUGH CONSULTATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN PROGRAM, PUBLIC POLICY AND SYSTEMS WORK; RESEARCH AND EVALUATION; ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING; AND PHILANTHROPIC ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES. ELN SERVES AS THE NATIONAL COORDINATING OFFICE (NCO) FOR A MULTI-STATE NETWORK OF EDUCARE SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY; THAT PROVIDES AND PROMOTES HIGH-QUALITY, TRANSFORMATIVE EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN; BIRTH TO FIVE; AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM HISTORICALLY UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES. THE EDUCARE NCO AND ITS PARTNERSHIP EDUCARE SCHOOLS SHARE EXPERTISE WITH LOCAL AND NATIONAL EDUCATORS, RESEARCHERS AND POLICYMAKERS SO THEY CAN ELEVATE QUALITY STRENGTHENING EARLY CHILDHOOD. START EARLY PARTNERS WITH EDUCARE NETWORK SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT THE RESPONSIBLE USE OF PRIVATE PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENTS. THROUGH COLLABORATIVE PLANNING, REPORTING AND COMMUNICATION. WE WORK TO ALIGN RESOURCES WITH SHARED GOALS AND GRANT COMMITMENTS FOSTERING TRANSPARENCY AND CONTINUOUS LEARNING ACROSS THE NETWORK. ONE AVENUE FOR SHARINGE THIS EXPERTISE IS THROUGH THE ESSENTIAL PRACTICES OF EDUCARE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. THIS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES PROVIDES PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION TO HELP CENTER- AND SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAM LEADERS, TEACHERS AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT STAFF TO FOCUS THEIR TIME AND RESOURCES ON CROSS-CUTTING PRACTICES THAT DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INDIVIDUAL CHILD, CLASSROOM, FAMILY AND PROGRAM LEVELS. START EARLY'S NATIONAL POLICY TEAMS PROVIDE CONSULTING, ADVISING, AND EDUCATION SERVICES TO COMMUNITY, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEADERS. WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN POLICY, PROGRAMS, AND RESEARCH, WE SUPPORT SYSTEMS LEADERS AND ENGAGE FAMILIES AND PROVIDERS TO BUILD HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEMS THAT REACH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES NATIONWIDE.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $108,803,809
Program Service Revenue $2,415,416
Investment Income $3,703,890
Other Revenue $326,464
TOTAL REVENUE $115,249,579

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $36,763,900
Salaries & Benefits $57,432,508
Fundraising Expenses $3,004,303
Program Expenses $95,163,420
Other Expenses $22,054,199
TOTAL EXPENSES $116,502,911

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $115,249,579 $134,930,918 -0.1%
Expenses $116,502,911 $113,827,823 +0.0%
Net Income $-1,253,332 $21,103,095 -1.1%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Financial Distress Indicator

Liquidity & Cash Position

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Governance

Voting Members
34
Independent Members
34
Employees
513
Volunteers
34

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
5
$364,829
Total Directors
34
$0
Key Employees
5
$1,491,714
Highest Compensated
5
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
BILL FRIEND DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
TOM GIMBEL DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
KEITH KILEY GOLDSTEIN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARY HASTEN BOARD CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
CHARLES MATTHEWS BOARD VICE CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
DAN O'KEEFE DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ISABEL NAVARRETE POLSKY MD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL RAPELYEA DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
RAUL I RAYMUNDO DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
RICHARD E ROTHKOPF DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DIANA SANDS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DIANE SCHANZENBACH BOARD SECRETARY 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
JOHN G SCHREIBER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
SUK SHAH DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
LINDA K SMITH DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CLAUDIA TERAN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
LAURA THONN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ADAM WALTUCH DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
SAM YAGAN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
LULA FORD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARQUIA FIELDS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
HELEN ZELL DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARILYN FIELDS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
GARRETT M YOUNG EDD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
BILLIE WRIGHT ADAMS MD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CURT R BAILEY DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
SHEILA ATER CAPESTANY DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DAVID CASPER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MAWIYAH COATES DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARIA CASTRO DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
NANCY CARRINGTON CROWN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DEBORAH DARO PHD DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
KELLY KING DIBBLE DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
VICKI ESCARRA DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DIANA RAUNER PRESIDENT 37.50
Officer
$0 $0 $0
DONNA IWANSKI CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER UNTIL 12/24 37.50
Officer
$333,728 $31,101 $364,829
AISHA GAYLE TURNER CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER 37.50
Key Emp
$292,576 $37,254 $329,830
JOHANNA VETTER CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER 37.50
Key Emp
$260,000 $18,976 $278,976
CLARISSA LOVE SENIOR VP, PEOPLE & CULTURE 37.50
Key Emp
$211,317 $55,563 $266,880
MICHAEL OWENS VP, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 37.50
Key Emp
$211,898 $18,160 $230,058
MICHAEL HOFFMAN CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 37.50
Key Emp
$360,286 $25,684 $385,970
SARAH RITTLING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FFYF 37.50
Highest
$343,426 $85,439 $428,865
TERRENCE ROCHE VP, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES UNTIL 11/24 37.50
Highest
$285,907 $28,935 $314,842
CYNTHIA JACKSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ELN UNTIL 1/25 37.50
Highest
$268,040 $27,182 $295,222
YVETTE SANCHEZ FUENTES SENIOR VP, GOVT RELATIONS AND RESEARCH 37.50
Highest
$236,972 $19,286 $256,258
VALISA SMITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SEWA UNTIL 05/25 37.50
Highest
$221,251 $55,562 $276,813
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $115,249,579 $116,502,911 $124,441,052 $-1,253,332
2024 $134,930,918 $113,827,823 $129,438,415 $21,103,095
2023 $120,133,044 $108,099,164 $106,687,603 $12,033,880
2022 $92,087,073 $89,219,915 $78,506,857 $2,867,158
2021 $70,463,769 $74,331,477 $84,271,202 $-3,867,708
2019 $66,571,328 $70,063,369 $73,674,789 $-3,492,041
2018 $56,050,972 $60,517,749 $73,507,470 $-4,466,777
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