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Trinity Credit Counseling Inc

EIN 31-1410758 · Cincinnati, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TRINITY IS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF DEBT AND FINANCIAL DISTRESS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. AS A CREDIT COUNSELING AGENCY, WE BELIEVE FINANCIAL EDUCATION PROVIDES A REMEDY FOR ADDRESSING DEBT, THE MISUSE OF CREDIT, BANKRUPTCY, AND POOR FINANCIAL PLANNING. TRINITY'S MISSION IS TO HELP THOSE EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL DISTRESS IMPROVE THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION THROUGH COUNSELING AND EDUCATION.

Income
$7.7 million
Spending
$6.9 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
15.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$329,388, president

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

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs.

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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 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 (1)
  1. $6.3 million spent. TRINITY PROVIDES CREDIT COUNSELING, DEBT MANAGEMENT, AND DEBT COUNSELING FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING DEBT PROBLEMS OR NEED GUIDANCE TO FORMULATE A MONTHLY BUDGET. BEING A NON-PROFIT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION, MANY OF THESE SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT NO COST TO OUR CLIENTS. THOSE WHO INQUIRE ABOUT OUR SERVICE ARE GIVEN ACCESS TO A CERTIFIED CREDIT COUNSELOR. TO START, COUNSELORS PROVIDE AN EXPLANTION OF ALL THE SERVICES OFFERED. THROUGH CONVERSATION, COUNSELORS WILL FACILITATE A SERIES OF QUESTIONS TO OBTAIN INSIGHT REGARDING THE CALLER'S OVERALL SITUATION. ONCE ENOUGH INFORMATION IS COLLECTED, COUNSELORS USE THEIR EXPERTISE TO DECIDE WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE THAT CAN TARGET AND RESOLVE THE CALLER'S SPECIFIC NEEDS. FOR THOSE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL COUNSELING, THE FIRST STEP IS THE DREE DEBT ANALYSIS. THIS CRITICAL STEP ALLOWS THE COUNSELOR TO REVIEW THE CLIENT'S INCOME, EXPENSES, AND IDENTIFY POTENTIAL PROBLEM AREAS. COUNSELORS GIVE SUGGESTIONS ON WAYS IN WHICH THE CLIENT CAN IMPROVE THEIR BUDGET AND FINANCIAL SITUATION. DETAILS PERTAINING TO DEBTS OWED ARE ALSO REVIEWED. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE EXPLAINED ABOUT AVAILABLE OPTIONS THAT WOULD ASSIST WITH REPAYING DEBTS. THE COUNSELOR WILL WORK TO IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE CLIENT'S SITUATION SO THAT PROPER CORRECTIVE ACTION CAN TAKE PLACE. COUNSELORS WILL PROVIDE FOLLOW UP COUNSELING AT VARIOUS INTERVALS BASED ON EACH INDIVIDUAL'S NEEDS. WEEKLY, TRINITY RECEIVES AS MANY AS 450 INQUIRIES VIA THE TELEPHONE, INTERNET, OR IN PERSON. ANNUALLY, THIS AMOUNTS TO MORE THAN 23,000 PEOPLE WHO CONTACT TRINITY SEEKING OUR ASSISTANCE. ALL ARE GIVEN ACCESS TO A CERTIFIED CREDIT COUNSELOR. APPROXIMATELY 43% OF THESE INQUIRERS GO ON TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION. OF THE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, ABOUT 42% ARE ADVISED TO ENTER INTO A DMP. THE REMAINING 58% ARE OFFERED ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS SUCH AS WORKING WITH CREDITORS DIRECTLY, BANKRUPTCY, OR AN APPLICABLE REFERRAL TO AN OUTSIDE RESOURCE FOR HELP PERTAINING TO AUTO LOANS, MORTGAGE LOANS, OR STUDENT LOAN RELIEF. TRINITY'S EDUCATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS ARE INTENDED TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY OF PERSONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES. TRINITY'S EDUCATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS FOCUS ON SEVERAL TARGETED AUDIENCES: YOUTH AND ADULT FINANCIAL EDUCATION, COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING EDUCATION. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS ARE COLLABORATIVE SUCH AS WORKING WITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, CREDIT UNIONS AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES. TRINITY STRIVES TO BUILD AND SUSTAIN COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO EXPAND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND SERVES THE COMMUNITY THROUGH FINANCIAL EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS, OR SEMINARS. IN 2025, 5,827 INDIVIDUALS WERE REACHED BY TRINITY'S EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

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

  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 October 13, 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 December 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 1994.

    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 October 21, 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.