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Collaborative for Regional Educational Services and Training

EIN 04-2597978 · Andover, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the Collaborative is to serve member school districts in meeting their unique needs in a changing global community through cooperative visionary leadership and coordination of resources and services. Collaborative services maximize efficiency, quality, and equity of educational opportunity.

Income
$28.2 million
Spending
$27.3 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
-7.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
434
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$211,085, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 83% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (16)
  1. $3.1 million spent. Essex Academy Lower School - Program to benefit students whose psychological disorders are deterring them from making effective progress within their regular school setting (program #460)
  2. $5.3 million spent. Lifeways - Programs to benefit special needs students with developmental disabilities and challenging behavior (program #350)
  3. $7.7 million spent. Lifeworks - Program to benefit students with disabilities in genuine transitional and vocational experiences for competitive employment and adult lifestyle (Program #220)
  4. $1.5 million spent. Visions - Program to benefit students with disabilities in genuine transitional and vocational experiences for competitive employment and adult lifestyle (program #200)
  5. $598,159 spent. Food Service - program to provide food to students within the Collaborative (program #150)
  6. $1.2 million spent. Essex Academy Upper School - Program structured to meet the academic and social/emotional needs of young adults grades 9-12 (program #430)
  7. $556,706 spent. District Services - Program structured to meet the academic and social/emotional needs of young adults by providing them with in-home services and services to school districts (program #520/700)
  8. $68,149 spent. Grant Programs Various grants to support programs (Program #701-750)
  9. $2.8 million spent. EPIC - Programs to benefit special needs students with moderate to severe disabilities including PDD, global developmental delays and communication disorders (program #300)
  10. $2.3 million spent. Merrimack Academy - Programs to benefit special needs students who experience significant behavioral or psychological problems (program #400)
  11. Visions - Program to benefit students with disabilities 1537721. 0. 311425.
  12. Food Service - program to provide food to students 598159. 0. 0.
  13. Essex Academy Upper School - Program structured to 1197649. 0. 1001826.
  14. District Services - Program structured to 556706. 0. 926851.
  15. EPIC - Programs to benefit special needs students with moderate to severe 2839182. 0. 2557899.
  16. Merrimack Academy - Programs to benefit special needs students who experience significant 2286052. 0. 2018498.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2001.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.