National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To lead the community partners in shaping and influencing strategies that advance community prosperity we advocate for reliable resources and systems that benefit low and moderate income communities and we build the capacity of members and practitioners working in these areas.
- Income
- $1.9 million
- Spending
- $1.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- -0.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 79%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 49
- Highest pay
- $150,932, executive director
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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 190% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 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, 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)
- $486,575 spent. People & Places Conference: In 2025, the Community Opportunity Alliance convened more than 350 community development practitioners, public officials, and philanthropic partners for the national People & Places Conference. The event delivered over 15 sessions advancing best practices in community planning, housing, small business development, and equitable economic growth. The program elevated local innovations, strengthened cross-sector networks, and provided leaders from under-resourced communities with direct access to national policy dialogue. Post-conference evaluations indicated that participants gained actionable skills, expanded professional networks, and identified new opportunities for collaboration and funding.
- $328,427 spent. Thriving Networks: In 2025, the Alliance advanced its Thriving Networks initiative to strengthen peer learning, leadership development, and cross-organizational collaboration across the community development field. The program supported multiple national peer networksincluding economic development cohorts and regional caucusesproviding structured opportunities for practitioners to share strategies, troubleshoot challenges, and adapt to changing policy and funding conditions. As part of this work, the Alliance delivered approximately 2000 Impact Hours of direct support to organizations in the community development field, offering individualized guidance, technical assistance, and leadership coaching. Member associations received the highest number of individual staff engagements of any Alliance service area. These efforts increased organizational capacity, improved communication and fundraising readiness, and strengthened the ability of community-based organizations to respond to local needs and advance equitable development.
- $273,641 spent. Lobbying/Advocacy: During 2025, the Community Opportunity Alliance engaged in permitted lobbying activities related to federal community development and affordable housing policy. Activities focused on educating policymakers and influencing legislation affecting community development program funding, including appropriations for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, preservation of the Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) set-aside, and implementation of the Community Reinvestment Act. The organization conducted meetings with congressional offices, submitted public comment letters, and participated in coalition advocacy.
- $236,510 spent. Grounding Values Research: The Grounding Values initiative advanced a long-term field-building research agenda focused on clarifying the shared values, practices, and organizational conditions that underpin effective community development. In 2025, the program produced a series of research briefs and field scans, engaged practitioners in scenario-planning exercises, and developed insights that informed policy advocacy, philanthropic strategies, and organizational decision-making. Findings were distributed broadly through webinars, written reports, and member convenings, helping the field anticipate emerging challenges and coordinate around shared priorities.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County Inc (Chicago, IL), EIN 36-2597741. 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.