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Community Enterprise Development Services

EIN 45-3064996 · Aurora, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES' MISSION IS TO SUPPORT THE AMERICAN DREAM OF FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY, BY ASSISTING REFUGEES, IMMIGRANTS, AND THOSE FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN METRO DENVER WHO DESIRE TO OWN OR STRENGTHEN BUSINESSES, DEVELOP ASSETS, AND EMPOWER THEMSELVES FINANCIALLY.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
15.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 34%
Employees
20
Volunteers
23
Highest pay
$177,817, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 70% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 65% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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

    12 of 12 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 September 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 (1)
  1. $1.9 million spent. CEDS Finance empowers small business entrepreneursparticularly low-income owners with few other alternativesby providing access to patient capital and personalized business consulting. It's a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) since 2015, targeting low-income populations and qualified investment areas.In FY25, CEDS Finance advanced its mission by deploying $3.5 million across 108 loans and murabahas to underserved entrepreneurs that created or retained 254 jobs. The organization achieved a 15% improvement in approval efficiency due to enhanced pre-screening. CEDS Finance maintained strong portfolio performance with a net charge-off ratio of 0.2% (well below the 2.8% benchmark) while growing its portfolio by 16.8% to $5.7 million. Key operational enhancements included expanding software efficiencies with two new modules that speed up monthly reporting and improve data accuracy, as well as launching a new online payment portal. The portal has demonstrated early success with 42% of clients are repeat usersdemonstrating early demand for improved repayment flexibility. These improvements strengthen efficiency and impact, enabling a smaller investment team to sustain deployment levels while increasing service accessibility for low-income and immigrant business owners.CEDS Finance provided 3,243 hours of free technical assistance for small business owners, and hosted or attended 58 community events that generated nearly 200 completed loan applications.By breaking down barriers to capital with culturally responsive products and services in 16 languages, CEDS Finance is creating a more effective financial system where every entrepreneur has the resources to thrive.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Enterprise Community Development Inc (Columbia, MD), EIN 52-1888775. 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.