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Communications Network

EIN 52-2114179 · Springfield, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES LEARNING, LEADERSHIP, AND COMMUNITY IN SUPPORT OF ELEVATING AND ADVANCING STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS IN THE SOCIAL SECTOR. OUR MISSION IS TO SUPPORT FOUNDATIONS AND NONPROFITS TO IMPROVE LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF SMART COMMUNICATIONS.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
54%
Reserves
29.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
8
Highest pay
$375,527, ceo

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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    54% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (3)
  1. $750,824 spent. ANNUAL CONFERENCE: THE ORGANIZATION HOSTED A CONFERENCE IN KANSAS CITY OF OVER 900 ATTENDEES. THE CONFERENCE FEATURED A FULL SLATE OF KEYNOTE SPEAKERS,BREAKOUT SESSIONS, PEER-LED NETWORKING AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AND PROGRAMMING AIMED AT FACILIATING CONNECTION BETWEEN ATTENDEES.
  2. $112,730 spent. COMMUNICATIONS: THE NETWORK OFFERS PROGRAMS TO CONNECT MEMBERS BASED ON SHARED ISSUE OR FOCUS AREAS. CIRCLES ARE NETWORKS TO HELP BUILD PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS, SHARE RESOURCES, AND HELP EACH OTHER SUCCEED. COMNETWORK LOCAL PROGAM HELPS GROUPS IN COMMUNITIES AROSS THE COUNTRY CREATE CONNECTION WITH YOUR COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES. IN ADDITION, WEBINARS AND NEWSLETTERS ARE USED TO COMMUNICATE WITH MEMBERS TO ASSIST IN PROVIDING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. OTHER PROJECTS THE NETWORK IS DEVLOPING TO FURTHER IT'S GOALS ASSISTING OTHERS.
  3. $390,833 spent. THE NETWORK OFFERS SUPPORT TO MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN OTHER PROGRAMS AND IS CONTINUALLY TRYING TO IMPROVE LEARING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL MEMBERS AND FACILIATING COMMUNICATIONS AND CONNECTIONS.

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 May 1999.

    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.