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Creative Learning Inc

EIN 52-1087361 · Chevy Chase, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak20 out of 100GovernanceWeak45 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
  • It owes more than it owns.

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

What it says it does

CREATIVE LEARNING (CL) ENHANCES THE CAPACITY OF LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE WORLD TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, FOCUSING ON COMMUNITIES WITH PRESSING HUMAN NEEDS. THROUGH THE CREATION OF PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE PARTNERSHIPS, CL IS ESPECIALLY DEDICATED TO PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS, SUPPORTING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, BUILDING PEACE, AND EMPOWERING PEACEMAKERS.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
-3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
7
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$128,920, director of handmade to market

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 20 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 135% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 45 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (2)
  1. $1.0 million spent. HANDMADE TO MARKET (FORMERLY AID TO ARTISANS) CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW-INCOME ARTISANS AROUND THE WORLD TO BUILD PROFITABLE BUSINESSES INSPIRED BY HANDMADE TRADITIONS. HANDMADE TO MARKET OFFERS ACCESS TO NEW MARKETS, BUSINESS TRAINING, ECO-EFFECTIVE PROCESSES, AND DESIGN INNOVATION THROUGH A NETWORK OF PARTNERS TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING.
  2. $106,612 spent. PEACE & SECURITY FOCUS AREA FACILITATES THE TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO A GLOBAL AUDIENCE FROM THE WORLD'S PREMIER POLITICAL LEADERS, ACADEMIC EXPERTS, PRACTITIONERS, AND ADVOCATES. IPSI DEVELOPS COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMS, ADVANCES SCHOLARLY RESEARCH, AND PROMOTES EFFORTS TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF PEACE AND SECURITY ISSUES. IT IS FOUNDED ON THE CORE BELIEF THAT EDUCATION CAN MITIGATE VIOLENT CONFLICT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 2025.

    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 April 1982.

    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.