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Center for Success Network

EIN 46-3792734 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CENTER FOR SUCCESS UNITES LITERACY AND COMMUNITY TO EMPOWER STUDENTS IN THE JOURNEY OF EDUCATION.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$929,126
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
-2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
25
Volunteers
410
Highest pay
$101,215, executive director/secreta

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $750,332 spent. WE EXIST TO IGNITE A PASSION FOR EDUCATION AND INSPIRE STUDENTS TO THRIVE ACADEMICALLY. THROUGH STRUCTURED INTERVENTIONS SPECIFIC TO EACH LEARNER, WE EXPOSE STUDENTS TO VARIOUS EXPERIENCES THAT ENCOURAGE THEM IN THEIR JOURNEY TOWARDS SELF-IDENTIFIED GOALS. WE PROVIDE SPACE AND STRUCTURE FOR STUDENTS TO COLLABORATE WITH A DEDICATED MENTOR. OUR INTENTION IS TO PAVE THE WAY FOR LIFELONG, ENGAGED LEARNING. THE CENTER FOR SUCCESS NETWORK (CFSN) DELIVERS EVIDENCE-BASED LITERACY AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THAT ADVANCE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND STRENGTHEN SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS FOR K8 STUDENTS IN UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES. THROUGH A PROVEN MODEL GROUNDED IN ONE-ON-ONE LITERACY MENTORING, CONSISTENT ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING, AND STRONG SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS, CFSN PROVIDES THE PERSONALIZED SUPPORT STUDENTS NEED TO THRIVE.CFSN'S IMPACT IS DEMONSTRATED THROUGH BOTH MEASURABLE STUDENT GROWTH AND LONG-TERM ENGAGEMENT. EACH YEAR, STUDENTS RECEIVE APPROXIMATELY 60 HOURS OF INDIVIDUALIZED LITERACY INTERVENTION, TARGETED SKILL-BUILDING, AND RELATIONSHIP-BASED MENTORING. OUR PROGRAMS CONSISTENTLY DRIVE ACCELERATED ACADEMIC OUTCOMES: ON AVERAGE, STUDENTS GAIN 4 INDEPENDENT AND 4 INSTRUCTIONAL LEVELS IN A SINGLE PROGRAM YEAR, SIGNIFICANTLY NARROWING ACHIEVEMENT GAPS IN DISTRICTS WITH SOME OF THE LOWEST PROFICIENCY RATES IN MICHIGAN.OUR MODEL CENTERS ON MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS. MORE THAN 300 TRAINED VOLUNTEER LITERACY MENTORS PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT, RESULTING IN HIGH PROGRAM CONSISTENCY AND STRONG STUDENT RETENTION. CFSN ALSO DELIVERS AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT IN STEAM, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING, AND PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, ENSURING STUDENTS RECEIVE A HOLISTIC EXPERIENCE THAT SUPPORTS THEIR ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.IN 2024, CFSN: PROVIDED OVER 25,000 HOURS OF INDIVIDUALIZED LITERACY MENTORING, SUPPORTED BY TRAINED VOLUNTEERS, CERTIFIED TEACHERS, AND AMERICORPS MEMBERS. ENSURED THAT 84% OF STUDENTS DEMONSTRATED MEASURABLE READING GROWTH, WITH THE MAJORITY ACCELERATING FASTER THAN GRADE-LEVEL EXPECTATIONS. EXPANDED SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS WITH LIMITED EXISTING OPTIONS.CFSN HAS MEASURED PROGRAM EFFICACY FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, WITH A FOCUS ON LITERACY OUTCOMES, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING INDICATORS, AND THE PROTECTIVE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO LIFELONG SUCCESS. OUR WORK IS DRIVEN BY THE BELIEF THAT EVERY CHILD DESERVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIALAND OUR RESULTS CONTINUE TO PROVE THAT WHEN STUDENTS ARE GIVEN THE RIGHT SUPPORT AT THE RIGHT TIME, THEY THRIVE.

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 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 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 October 2014.

    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.