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Central States Private Education Network

EIN 47-2565877 · Bowie, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CSPEN IS A 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE EDUCATION ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROMOTING THE INTERESTS OF STUDENTS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS. CSPEN WORKS COLLABORATIVELY WITH OTHER LIKE-MINDED NATIONAL AND STATE ORGANIZATIONS, THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, AND THE SUPPORTERS OF OUR SHARED COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.CSPEN'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS WITH ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND INFORMATION DESIGNED TO ASSIST THE INSTITUTIONAL COMMUNITY IN ACHIEVING COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPORTING STUDENTS' FUTURES THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF STUDENT ACCESS, COMPLETION, AND SUCCESSFUL ENTRY INTO THE OCCUPATIONAL DISCIPLINE AND CAREER OF EACH STUDENT'S CHOOSING.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$991,561
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$104,300, co-executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 186% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    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. $887,075 spent. CSPEN ASSISTS INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO ACHIEVE OUR MISSION BY PROVIDING AN ARRAY OF TOOLS AND RESOURCES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE PUBLICATION AND DISSEMINATION OF THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS OCCURRING AT BOTH THE FEDERAL AND TARGETED STATE LEVELS, PRESENTATION OF INNOVATIVE WEBINARS, VIDEOS, AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING BLOGS AND PODCASTS, AS WELL AS DIRECT ACCESS TO A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF LEGISLATION PROPOSED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND LEADING EXPERTS IN MONITORING OF THE LEGISLATION, CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND MORE.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 March 2017.

    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.

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.