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Center for Nonprofit Excellence

EIN 20-3412827 · Charlottesvle, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TCNE IS A CHAMPION, LEARNING PARTNER, AND ADVISOR FOR VIRGINIA NONPROFITS.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
14
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$185,819, 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 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 (4)
  1. $942,335 spent. PARTNERSHIPS & CONSULTING:THE CENTER PARTICIPATES IN VARIOUS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND CONSULTING ENGAGEMENTS WITH FOUNDATIONS AIMED AT STRATEGICALLY DELIVERING ITS CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN SELECT REGIONS ACROSS VIRGINIA. THESE PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENTS ARE FULLY-FUNDED BY THE INVITING RESPECTIVE PARTNER AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE CENTER'S CORE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE CENTER DIRECTLY SUPPORTED NONPROFITS IN PARTNERSHIP LOCATIONS THROUGH REGIONALLY-RESPONSIVE WORKSHOPS, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, RESOURCE SHARING, AND CAPACITY-BUILDING CONSULTING PROGRAMS.
  2. $143,233 spent. EDUCATION & RESOURCES:THE CENTER CONDUCTS VARIOUS WORKSHOPS, ADVANCED TRAINING, AND LONGER-TERM ACADEMY PROGRAMS. THE CENTER ALSO PROVIDES A WIDE ARRAY OF PUBLICATIONS, BOOKS, AND VIRTUAL RESOURCES THAT STRENGTHEN NONPROFITS AND THEIR BOARD, EXECUTIVE, AND STAFF LEADERSHIP. BASED ON EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, THE CENTER HAS DEVELOPED 7 ACTIONABLE PRINCIPLES FOR A STRONG SOCIAL SECTOR, A FRAMEWORK TO ENABLE THE SOCIAL SECTOR TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE, MAKE BETTER USE OF RESOURCES, AND INCREASE COMMUNITY IMPACT. THE CENTER ALSO DELIVERS VARIOUS PROGRAMS CENTERED ON REDRESSING INEQUITIES WITHIN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR IN SUPPORT OF EQUITABLE, THRIVING, AND JUST COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT VIRGINIA.
  3. $147,870 spent. LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION & COMMUNICATIONS:THE CENTER ENGAGES IN COLLECTION AND REPORTING OF NONPROFIT SECTOR DATA TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF THE SECTOR AND ITS NEEDS. THIS WORK INCLUDES THE FACILITATION, CONVENING, AND COMMUNICATIONS ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH'S NONPROFITS. THE CENTER ALSO PROVIDES LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION SESSIONS FOR NONPROFITS AND LEGISLATORS, AND CONVENES LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS IN SUPPORT OF A THRIVING AND VIBRANT SOCIAL SECTOR.
  4. $58,814 spent. MEMBERSHIP SERVICES:THE CENTER OFFERS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS THAT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: DISCOUNTED RATES FOR THE CENTER'S WORKSHOPS, ADVANCED TRAININGS, ACADEMIES, AND OTHER PROGRAMS. EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO THE CENTER'S LEADERSHIP CIRCLES, A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF FACILITATED SMALL GROUPS MADE UP OF NONPROFIT PROFESSIONALS. THESE CIRCLES PROVIDE A CONFIDENTIAL SETTING IN WHICH PEERS CAN DISCUSS AND SOLVE REAL-TIME PROBLEMS WITH REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE, AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER'S LEARNING AND GROWTH. FREE ACCESS TO OUR NONPROFIT HELP DESK, PROVIDING CUSTOMIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCE REQUESTS.

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 December 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.

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.