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Passes our checks

Center for Cyber Safety and Education

EIN 45-2405127 · Alexandria, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak42 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PRIMARY MISSION OF THE CENTER FOR CYBER SAFETY AND EDUCATION(CENTER) IS TO CONDUCT THE CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY CERTIFICATION CONSORTIUM, INC., (ISC2), AS PERMITTED UNDER REV. RUL. 54-243. (SEE SCHEDULE O)

Income
$918,922
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$831,222, acting ceo & cfo

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

Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 61% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (8)
  1. $263,712 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS: THE CENTER'S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS TO THOSE STUDYING IN THE INFORMATION SECURITY OR CYBER SECURITY FIELDS. THE CENTER PROVIDES FINANCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO WOMEN, UNDERGRADUATES, GRADUATES, AND VETERANS.IN THE PAST ELEVEN YEARS, THE CENTER HAS AWARDED OVER $2 MILLION IN FINANCIAL AID.
  2. $106,788 spent. 50 BY 50: THE CENTER'S 50 BY 50 PROGRAM IS A GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO ELEVATE WOMEN'S VOICES, INNOVATION, AND LEADERSHIP IN CYBERSECURITY, WITH THE GOAL OF CREATING A MORE DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE WITH WOMEN MAKING UP 50% BY 2050. IT FOCUSES ON CAREER AWARENESS, MENTORING, COMMUNITIES, EDUCATION, FINANCIAL ACCESS, EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS, HOLISTIC SUPPORT, AND VISIBILITY. USING THIS FRAMEWORK CHARTS THE PATH FROM INTENTION TO IMPACT AND SUPPORTS CAREERS FROM YOUTH TO SENIOR LEADERSHIP.
  3. $95,510 spent. SAFE AND SECURE: THE CENTER'S SAFE AND SECURE ONLINE PROGRAM PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO BECOME MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT SAFE ONLINE PRACTICES. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF CYBERSECURITY BEST PRACTICES AND SAFETY CONCERNS THAT USING THE INTERNET POSE. EACH LESSON BUILDS ON VARIOUS TOPICS INCLUDING CYBER SECURITY, CYBER ETHICS, AND PROTECTIONS FROM ONLINE PREDATORS. VOLUNTEERS DELIVER PRESENTATIONS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON SESSIONS. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO BENEFIT ALL AGES AS THE LESSONS ARE GEARED TOWARD CHILDREN, PARENTS, AND ADULTS ALIKE.
  4. $91,846 spent. OUTREACH
  5. $22,000 spent. WOMEN'S SCHOLARSHIP
  6. $21,858 spent. CERTIFICATION SCHOLARSHIP
  7. $8,572 spent. 1MCC (1 MILLION CERTIFIED IN CYBERSECURITY BOOST): THE CENTER PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO HELP THOSE WITH THE MOST NEED TO TRAVEL TO THE ENTRY LEVEL CERTIFIED IN CYBERSECURITY EXAM AND PAY THE FIRST YEAR ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEE. IN ADDITION, VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE SUPPORT SUCH AS MENTORSHIP AND STUDY SESSIONS.
  8. $28,740 spent. OTHER 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 November 6, 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 August 2011.

    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 November 4, 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.