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Ethiopian Community Services and Development Council Inc

EIN 11-3651850 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Ethiopian Community Services and Development Council Inc. It is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of African immigrants in Washington, D.C., particularly in Ward 1 (1816 12th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009). ECDC equips immigrants with essential skills to succeed while fostering diversity and cultural expression through dance, drama, and poetry. Our programs target African immigrants who often face adverse living conditions marked by poverty, limited resources, and social challenges. By promoting empowerment, cultural pride, and community development ECDC helps individuals overcome barriers, achieve self-sufficiency, and contribute positively to the broader D.C. community.

Income
$405,000
Spending
$476,000
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 63%
Employees
0
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$52,000, prpgramdirector

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    7 of 0 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $228,000 spent. Ethiopian Community Services and Development Council Inc. (ECSDC) have been awarded $228,000 from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OST), D.C. Government** to operate year-round youth programs for District residents. This funding supports both 120 youth after-school and summer initiatives**, providing young people with safe, enriching environments that foster academic growth, cultural pride, and community engagement. Through these programs, ECSDC empowers youth to build essential skills, explore creative expression, and develop pathways toward success while strengthening the broader D.C. community.
  2. $10,000 spent. The Ethiopian Community Services and Development Council Inc. (ECSDC) received **$10,000 from the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE)** to support a **Gang Prevention Program** serving District of Columbia residents. This initiative provides youth and community members with resources, mentorship, and positive alternatives to gang involvement. By fostering safety, resilience, and empowerment, ECSDC helps reduce risk factors, strengthen community ties, and create pathways toward productive, violence-free futures for D.C. residents.
  3. $25,000 spent. The Ethiopian Community Services and Development Council Inc. (ECSDC) received $45,000 in donations and contributions from its supporters to promote **cultural arts, dance, and poetry** programs. This funding enables ECSDC to serve **45 District of Columbia residents, with a special focus on African immigrants. Through these initiatives, ECSDC fosters cultural pride, artistic expression, and community engagement, helping participants celebrate their heritage while building stronger connections within the D.C. community.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 2003.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Ethiopian Community Development Council Inc (Arlington, VA), EIN 52-1308986. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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