Clarkston Development Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Clarkston Development Foundation, Inc., CDF Action, a not-for-profit created in 2010, uses an asset based community development approach, connecting and engaging the Clarkston community and surrounding areas by working alongside residents to recognize and develop the individual capacities of each person. By supporting participation and collaboration among community members, the goal is to build a community whose residents drive and direct the development of activities and services. Through a series of dialogues, early learning was selected by the community as a priority, and early learning was selected by the CDF Board of Directors as the focus of the organization.In 2021, the Board and staff completed a strategic planning process, led by Civitas, using Civitas Finding your North Star framework. As a result of the planning process, CDF developed a comprehensive document that included vision, mission, principles, approach, and 3-year strategic directions.Vision: CDF envisions communitie
- Income
- $389,725
- Spending
- $409,291
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- 2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 70%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $22,800, past ed
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: 50 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 23% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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
Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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
0 of 10Did not give 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (3)
- $270,487 spent. Theory of Change:Clarkston Development Foundation (CDF) catalyzes community change by focusing on three interconnected levers: resident engagement, organizational collaboration, and innovative solutions. Through these strategies, CDF builds on community strengths, mobilizes resources, and pilots scalable projects that promote equity, education, and family wellbeing.Program Service Accomplishments 2024:In 2024, CDF continued its mission to improve early learning access and family engagement for refugee, immigrant, and low-income families in Central DeKalb County. Through the 2Gen Community Literacy Program, CDF provided early literacy kits, family workshops, and multilingual learning opportunities to over 80 children and caregivers.CDFs Ready Schools Initiative operated sites in Clarkston, Stone Mountain, and La Escuelita, supporting kindergarten readiness through culturally responsive instruction and parent engagement. The organization also convened quarterly Early Learning Advisory Committee meetings to strengthen collaboration among educators, families, and community partners.CDF expanded professional development for multilingual early educators, distributed over 300 literacy resources to families, and continued to provide technical assistance to community-based organizations seeking to launch or enhance early learning programs.
- Strategic Goals (20242026):. Increase the number of multilingual early learning teachers in Central DeKalb.. Expand access to quality early learning programs for refugee, immigrant, and low-income children and families.. Strengthen community-based early learning partnerships within and beyond Clarkston.. Build CDFs internal capacity to sustain and scale its innovative early childhood initiatives.
- In fiscal year 2024, Clarkston Development Foundation received major financial support from United Way of Greater Atlanta, which contributed $205,000, and from the City of Clarkston, which provided $5,000. These generous contributions played a vital role in advancing CDFs mission to expand access to early learning opportunities and strengthen family engagement programs throughout Central DeKalb County. Support from these partners helped sustain initiatives such as the 2Gen Community Literacy Program and the Ready Schools Initiative, which continue to improve educational outcomes for refugee, immigrant, and low-income families.
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 October 2010.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: C I S Development Foundation Inc (New York, NY), EIN 22-3304404. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.