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Eastern Congo Initiative

EIN 45-4103655 · Stillman Vly, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 41% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

EASTERN CONGO INITIATIVE (ECI) IS THE FIRST U.S. BASED ADVOCACY AND GRANT-MAKING INITIATIVE WHOLLY FOCUSED ON WORKING WITH AND FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC). ECI'S MISSION IS TO INCREASE THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF INVESTMENTS INTO DRC THROUGH SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE CONGOLESE LED SOLUTIONS, DEVELOPING COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS, AND DRIVING INCREASED ATTENTION AND PUBLIC POLICY CHANGE THROUGH GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY AND HIGHLY TARGETED MEDIA ACTIVITIES. WE ENVISION A VIBRANT DRC ABUNDANT WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, WHERE A ROBUST CIVIL SOCIETY CAN FLOURISH. ECI BELIEVES THAT LOCAL, COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACHES ARE ESSENTIAL TO CREATING A SUSTAINABLE AND SUCCESSFUL SOCIETY IN EASTERN CONGO. WE BELIEVE THAT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS COMBINED WITH ADVOCACY DRIVES INCREASED ATTENTION AND PUBLIC POLICY CHANGE, CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PEOPLE OF DRC.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
41%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
3
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$243,061, executive director (until 11/24)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 133% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 72% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    41% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $644,298 spent. WATER ACTIVITIES: THROUGH OUR ASILI SOCIAL ENTERPRISE PLATFORM, ECI PROVIDES AFFORDABLE, CONSISTENT ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER AT MEMBERSHIP-BASED KIOSKS IN SOUTH KIVU.
  2. $349,975 spent. GRANTMAKING, BUILDING MARKETS, AND ADVOCACY: ECI WORKS WITH THE MOST INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN EASTERN DRC TO FIND CONGOLESE SOLUTIONS TO CONGOLESE CHALLENGES. WE PROVIDE GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO HELP OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS CREATE SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ACCESS TO JUSTICE, MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, AND ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND INFORMATION. WE CONNECT CONGOLESE FARMERS WITH GLOBAL MARKETS FOR COFFEE AND COCOA. AND WE ADVOCATE RELENTLESSLY, IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD, TO INCREASE THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF INVESTMENT IN THE LIMITLESS POTENTIAL OF THE DRC.
  3. $346,930 spent. HEALTH ACTIVITIES: ANOTHER ASILI SERVICE IS WORLD-CLASS PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES AT COMMUNITY CLINICS, AT PRICES LOCAL FAMILIES CAN AFFORD.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 January 2012.

    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.