Direct Selling Education Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 43% of its spending went to programs.
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 67 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To serve the public interest by advancing the direct selling industry's support of consumer rights and protection, education about the industry, ethical leadership, and individual economic empowerment.
- Income
- $662,585
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 43%
- Reserves
- 7.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 53%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $749,895, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 79% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1543% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 67 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2521 of 23 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (8)
- $307,832 spent. Education Initiative: DSEF partners with members of the academic community to support research and education programs that expand the knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of direct selling. DSEF works with professors in a variety of disciplines including entrepreneurship, marketing, ethics, consumer studies, business and economics to commission academic research, case studies and white papers and to sponsor direct selling education programs on university campuses across the country. These efforts provide students, professors and the public with insights into the direct selling channel and its latest trends and innovations, offer solutions for better business management and help educate the next generation of entrepreneurs and industry leaders about opportunities in the space.
- $150,451 spent. Fellows: DSEF Fellows are given a two-year opportunity to work with the Foundation and industry executives to gain deeper insights into this channel of distribution, both as a go-to-market business strategy and pathway to micro-entrepreneurship. More specifically, Fellows are currently made up of university and community college professors with specialties that typically fall within the areas of business, management, marketing, entrepreneurship, ethics, consumer studies and other related fields.
- $54,624 spent. Communications: Educate the public about how direct selling empowers individuals, supports communities and strengthens economies worldwide. Our programs help build a broader understanding of direct selling's channel of distribution, wide variety of products, and entrepreneurship opportunity.
- Ethical Leadership Initiative: Education on and promotion of ethical direct selling business practices and corporate social responsibility.
- International Grants: The purpose of the DSEF International Grant Program is to enhance the relationship of the direct selling industry with academic and consumer communities around the world. As direct selling grows dramatically internationally, so must industry relations with these important segments of society be nurtured. Improving communications and fostering partnerships with consumer and academic leaders abroad will help to fulfill the DSEF mission.
- Direct Selling Entrepreneur Program: DSEF brings the world of direct selling together with the community college entrepreneurship environment to increase the number and scope of self employment opportunities across the country. Through this program, individuals learn the entrepreneurship skills they need to start or grow a successful business and gain confidence in their ability to thrive as independent business owners. This program is developed in partnership between DSEF and National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship.
- Consumer Initiatives: As the goodwill ambassador of the direct selling industry, Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) proudly provides and supports programming to engage, educate and empower consumers. We partner with consumer advocates, educators and public policy leaders to keep consumers informed and to ensure their voices are heard throughout the global marketplace.
- Community Services: DSEF serves as our industry's goodwill ambassador by continually bringing direct selling leaders together to support the communities where they work, live, and learn.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1973.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 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.