Community Sustainability Enterprise Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Community Sustainability Enterprise (CSE) continued to advance its mission of transforming families, businesses, and neighborhoods into thriving, financially sustainable communities through innovative and community-anchored economic mobility programming. In 2024, CSE implemented a portfolio of impactful initiatives designed to build financial capability, promote homeownership, support youth workforce readiness, and improve the economic stability of underserved communities across the Greater Atlanta region. Population Served Across all 2024 programming, CSE served a population that was approximately 80% low- and moderate-income, with an ethnic composition of 54% Hispanic, 45% African American, and 1% Asian. Our programs remain committed to closing opportunity gaps and driving community-level financial transformation.
- Income
- $92,630
- Spending
- $88,064
- Spent on programs
- 25%
- Reserves
- 3.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 62%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 4
- Highest pay
- $35,538, 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
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 43% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1525% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 65 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $3,068 spent. Youth Financial Literacy and Capability Programming In partnership with Fifth Third Bank, BankSouth, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, CSE delivered an 8-week Fiscal Fitness and Workforce Development Bootcamp for the Youth Trees Team-an environmental workforce initiative facilitated by Trees Atlanta. This program equipped 70 youth participants, ages 14 to 18, with core competencies in budgeting, saving, responsible banking, and employment readiness. Through targeted savings incentives and coaching, 20 participants collectively saved over $10,000 during the program, demonstrating measurable behavior change and financial goal-setting success.
- $7,982 spent. First-Time Homebuyer and Credit Coaching Program CSE also partnered with Fifth Third Bank to bring first-time homebuyer education and individualized credit coaching to 30 staff members of Trees Atlanta, many of whom represent low and moderate-income households. As part of this effort, 15 participants completed credit assessments and began financial coaching sessions with certified bankers, creating personalized pathways toward credit readiness and homeownership. The program emphasized long-term financial resilience and provided trusted access to banking professionals who could demystify the mortgage process for first-time buyers.
- $11,205 spent. Financial Reality Fair - 2025 Pipeline Development To expand financial education access for immigrant and low-income communities, CSE launched planning for its 2025 Family Financial Reality Fair in partnership with the Meadowcreek High School cluster, located in a 98% low- to moderate-income area that is 78% Hispanic. This inclusive initiative successfully engaged three schools-Lilburn Middle School, Meadowcreek High School, and McClure Health Sciences High School-and recruited 40 volunteer financial coaches from the community to participate in the upcoming fair. The program will simulate real-world budgeting and decision-making scenarios for students and families, fostering intergenerational financial empowerment.
- Financial Wellness for Minority Small Business Owners In 2024, CSE expanded its service reach to minority small business owners through a partnership with Bank OZK, launching a financial wellness initiative designed to address the personal financial health of entrepreneurs-an essential component for long-term business sustainability. The program served over 40 small business owners, helping them understand the link between personal financial fitness and scalable business growth. Workshops included topics such as personal credit, debt management, emergency savings, and business-owner tax readiness. CSE also formed a strategic alliance with the local faith-based community, integrating its financial wellness curriculum into business-focused ministries and small group networks. These sessions created culturally relevant and trusted entry points for underserved entrepreneurs to access training, resources, and coaching.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.