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Community Building Initiative

EIN 20-2892726 · Charlotte, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak41 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Community Building Initiative (CBI) is to give people and organizations the knowledge, skills and courage to fight bias, remove barriers to opportunity and build a more equitable and just CharlotteMecklenburg. CBI envisions a connected community where everyone:Wakes up to discrimination and injustice?Interrupts inequitable systems and structures? andSteps up to champion equal rights, access and opportunity.CBI provides innovative programs that develop leaders, advance equity and connect the community, working for change at individual, organizational and community levels. CBIs work is grounded in the belief that aspects of difference (including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status) impact not only individual residents but also the policies, programs and practices of organizations and institutions in this increasingly diverse community. Constituencies and staff build capacity to share diverse ideas, and organizations become more adept and effec

Income
$587,944
Spending
$720,805
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 58%
Employees
2
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$161,240, executive dir.

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: 41 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 43% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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 92% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 (3)
  1. $467,275 spent. Advancing Equity Equity Impact Circles, Equity 101, Equity Consultations & Charlotte Equity Impact Fellows Achievements: CBIs board is now more engaged and educated, more deeply connected to CBIs mission and to each other. CBIs equity lens and framework make it more relevant and better equipped to serve as a community resource while expanding what it can offer and to whom. The Equity Project has broadened the cadre of community residents and organizations who are utilizing an equity lens to explore and address persistent community challenges and emerging opportunities? helped build relationships between participants? increased the capacity of individuals and organizations to understand and advance equity? and deepened the commitment to CBIs mission. CBIs Equity Impact Circles (EIC) program is now a fee-generating program.
  2. $7,718 spent. Developing Leaders Leadership for Equity Capacity (LEC) and Leaders Under 40 (LU40) Achievements: A cadre of community leaders who have the knowledge, skills and courage to influence for inclusion and equity in both the organization(s) they represent and in the broader community. Total alumni across both programs is now 1,204.
  3. $6,475 spent. Connecting the Community Bus Tours, Community Conversations/Facilitated Dialogues & Community Builders Breakfast Achievements: Diverse groups of people and CBI stakeholders are convened through specially developed interactive dialogues and community conversations. As a result of participation, attendees are educated about community history and current/emerging issues, have increased awareness, are engaged, build connections and are prompted to take action and/or respond to the underlying factors and impact of dimensions of diversity in matters of public concern. CBIs 2024 Community Builders Breakfast had well over 400 participants. Since its inception in 2011 CBIs Bus Tour program has seen participation of more than 10,100. In FY25 CBI completed work on several mission aligned community engagement contracts

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 November 6, 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 June 2005.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Community Initiatives (Oakland, CA), EIN 94-3255070. 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.