Brightspark Early Learning Services
Brightspark Early Learning Services reported $40.5 million in revenue and $40.8 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $91.45 went to program services, $7.66 to management and general costs and $0.89 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 98.5% of the total. Government grants made up 97.1%. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $258,488 (Executive Off.). 7 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 186% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $41MFor context, the median across 3,614 covered human services charities: $88.27 programs, $11.52 management, $0.21 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $41MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 91.4% | 87.2% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 7.7% | 11.4% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 0.9% | 0.2% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.01 | $0.02 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 98.5% | 20.6% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 97.1% | 2.4% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 0.8% | 70.8% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $258,488 | $274,992 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 0.63% | 1.18% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 1.3 | 6.9 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 12 of 12 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseA young child, even an infant, is learning every moment of every day. A babys brain grows to 90% of its adult size during the first 3 years of life. Young children learn through observing and exploring their world, by using their senses, and most importantly, in nurturing relationships with their caregivers. We partner with families with young children to help them find and access high quality early learning programs and resources offered statewide. We also partner with early learning teachers who provide high quality care for all children in King and Pierce Counties.BrightSpark helps…
Working with Families: Since 1990, BrightSpark has served over 200,000 families. BrightSpark has direct contact with families of all income levels and works with all types of childcare providers as well as informal caregivers. A strong partner with non-profits, government, foundations, businesses, and individuals, BrightSpark raises awareness about early learning, promotes best practices, and advocates for increased investments to ensure quality. BrightSpark empowers families to make the best possible choices for their childrens care. For FY 22-23, BrightSpark made a significant impact:-…
Working with Child Care Providers and Capacity Building: Research confirms that for every $1 invested in quality early learning for all children, $7 or more is saved in costs of remedial learning, teen pregnancy, incarceration, and rehabilitation. As a result, we see more graduates, gainful employment, and more stable communities. BrightSpark supports all types of childcare professionals as they provide quality early learning experiences for children. We know that the role they play for children is significant and we are committed to providing answers to questions,coaching and technical…
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Off. Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $235,161 | $0 | $23,327 | $258,488 |
| Admin Officer Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $211,432 | $0 | $17,882 | $229,314 |
| Program Officer Listed in Part VII, 40.00 hrs/week | $189,754 | $0 | $17,385 | $207,139 |
| Ext. Affairs Off. Listed in Part VII, 40.00 hrs/week | $179,824 | $0 | $15,196 | $195,020 |
| HR Officer Listed in Part VII, 40.00 hrs/week | $190,755 | $0 | $3,707 | $194,462 |
| Controller Listed in Part VII, 40.00 hrs/week | $140,092 | $0 | $34,237 | $174,329 |
| Admin IT Listed in Part VII, 40.00 hrs/week | $135,290 | $0 | $15,902 | $151,192 |
| Finance Dir. Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $48,762 | $0 | $5,345 | $54,107 |
7 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Brightspark Early Learning Services (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $542K (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b12 · 12 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 5151
- Volunteers Part I, line 625
Private foundation grants it received
2 private foundations reported grants to Brightspark Early Learning Services totaling $10,100 on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Brightspark Early Learning Services's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Brightspark Early Learning Services, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Brightspark Early Learning Services spent in FY2025, $91.45 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Inglis HousePhiladelphia, PA · revenue $41M · programs 81.9% · FY2025
- Long Island CaresHauppauge, NY · revenue $41M · programs 92.2% · 2025
- The Young Men's Christian Association of the Capital District (4416)Albany, NY · revenue $41M · programs 89.7% · FY2025
- Tufts Medicine CARE at HomeLowell, MA · revenue $41M · programs 81.7% · FY2025
- Central Florida Young Men's Christian AssociationOrlando, FL · revenue $40M · programs 91.8% · 2025
All human services charities · Largest charities in Washington
Questions people ask
How much of Brightspark Early Learning Services's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Brightspark Early Learning Services reported that 91.4% of its $40.8 million in expenses went to program services, 7.7% to management and general and 0.9% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Brightspark Early Learning Services pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Brightspark Early Learning Services reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $258,488, for the role of Executive Off. (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Brightspark Early Learning Services get its money?
Of $40.5 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 98.5% came from contributions and grants (including 97.1% from government grants) and 0.8% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Brightspark Early Learning Services a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 91-1465046 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, object 202641359349315594 · read the filing
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202510669349301616 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202420179349300422 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202340319349300219 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202113409349301306 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202003439349300535 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 91-1465046: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.