Charter Development Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE IS PROVIDING CAPITAL AND OTHER SUPPORT TO EDGE LEARNING, INC., AKROS MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND AKROTECH HIGH SCHOOL. EDGE LEARNING, INC., AKROS MIDDLE SCHOOL AND AKROTECH HIGH SCHOOL ARE ORGANIZED TO SET UP AND OPERATE CHARTER SCHOOLS IN VARIOUS NORTHEAST OHIO COMMUNITIES. THE ORGANIZATION MAY ALSO PROVIDE CAPITAL AND SUPPORT TO ANY COMMUNITY SCHOOL OR TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION WHICH MAINTAINS A COMMUNITY SCHOOL INCLUDING PROVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, CONSULTING AND DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE, FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT AND GRANTS, LOANS AND OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
- Income
- $711,214
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- -48 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 90%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $12,000, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 62% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 45% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
0 of 251 of 2 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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)
- $981,438 spent. PROVIDING CAPITAL AND SUPPORT TO EDGE LEARNING, INC., AKROS MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND AKROTECH HIGH SCHOOL.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 October 13, 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 May 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 August 2002.
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 October 21, 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 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.