Echo System
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Echo System is a organization dedicated to building an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for adults and teens. Operating from an Entrepreneurs Build Entrepreneurs (EBE) model, Echo runs the For Entrepreneurs, By Entrepreneurs (FEBE) movement
- Income
- $511,805
- Spending
- $484,761
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 2.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 57%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $105,000, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 11 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
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, 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 (3)
- $182,224 spent. The For Entrepreneurs, By Entrepreneurs (FEBE) movement is Echo System adult entrepreneur program, serving small business owners, solopreneur and aspiring entrepreneurs across the Research Triangle region. The program provides structured classes, workshops, ticketed events, pitch competitions, mentorship sessions, and access to capital through entrepreneur grants. In 2025, Echo launched a 10-week ECHO Incubator cohort featuring facilitation by experienced practitioners in marketing, storytelling and AI integration with curriculum designed across four phases from business foundation through launch readiness.
- $122,195 spent. Echo System operates a community innovation hub in Durham, North Carolina that serves as a shared coworking and event space for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, creatives, and civic organizations. The hub provides affordable, flexible workspace with infrastructure (including technology, printing, and meeting room access) that supports small organizations and individuals who cannot access traditional commercial real estate. In addition to space rental, the hub hosts community events, workshops, and convenings that build social capital and cross-sector connections across the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- $73,670 spent. Echo Systems For Youth, By Youth (FYBY) Teen Program anchored by the Teens Tackle social innovation internship model is the organization signature youth-facing initiative. High school students engage in a based internship where they apply human-centered design methodology to solve real community challenges. Each cohort is co-facilitated by near-peer mentors who serve as paid Echo interns, creating a dual-path model that develops both the high school participants and the college- facilitators simultaneously.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 November 6, 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 2025.
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 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.