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Positive Education Program

EIN 34-1127919 · Cleveland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE TO OVERCOME AND THRIVE.

Income
$40.9 million
Spending
$36.2 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
9.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 97%
Employees
299
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$232,834, chief executive officer

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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 49 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 37% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 25 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 (3)
  1. $19.6 million spent. DAY TREATMENT CENTERS: POSITIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM'S DAY TREATMENT CENTERS SERVE SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH AN EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE IN AN INTEGRATED EDUCATIONAL AND METAL HEALTH ENVIRONMENT. THESE CENTERS SERVE AS BOTH THE SCHOOL AND THE THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT CENTER FOR THESE CHILDREN AND YOUTH. PEP'S FIVE CENTERS ARE LOCATED THROUGHOUT NORTHEAST OHIO AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO SERVE CHILDREN WITH MULTIPLE DISABILITIES. PEP'S DAY TREATMENT CENTERS SERVED 340 CHILDREN FROM 67 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN 13 COUNTIES.
  2. $521,397 spent. PEP ASSIST: PEP ASSIST IS PEP'S CONSULTATION AND TRAINING ARM, PROVIDES SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS WITH BEST PRACTICES FOR WORKING WITH AT-RISK AND SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. SERVICES ARE INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH DISTRICT. SERVED 138 CHILDREN FROM 13 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN 4 COUNTIES.
  3. $6.4 million spent. OHIO RISE (CONNECTIONS), SERVES AS CARE MANAGEMENT ENTITY (CME) FOR OHIO RISE IN CENTRAL CUYAHOGA COUNTY. YOUTH SERVED BY PEP CONNECTIONS ARE TYPICALLY ON TRACK FOR DEEPER SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT, OFTEN INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALIZATION, JUVENILE COURT PLACEMENT AND THE LIKE. USING A STRENGTH-BASED AND TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH, THIS PROGRAM HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES REACH THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF LIFE POSSIBLE. 1,900 CHILDREN WERE SERVED.

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 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 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 August 1973.

    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.