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Passes our checks

Center for Strategic Economic Studies and Institutional Dvlp Inc

EIN 52-2135889 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CENTER BY LENDISTRY IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS DIVERSE SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGH EDUCATION, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND ACCESS TO COMPETITIVE FINANCING. OUR MISSION IS TO CLOSE THE WEALTH GAP BY ANCHORING SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY DO BUSINESS.

Income
$88.0 million
Spending
$86.6 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$286,888, president & 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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 70% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2434% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    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

    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 (6)
  1. $84.8 million spent. Los Angeles County Rent Relief Program- The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) launched the LA County Rent Relief Program on December 12, 2023, dispersing financial relief to landlords throughout Los Angeles County adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Administered by The Center, the program's community partners delivered technical assistance to 6,000 applicants. This support was key in reaching those most in need.
  2. $620,446 spent. Small Business Accelerators- The Center provided over 100 businesses with access to intensive accelerator services to support business growth, local job creation, and wealth building for communities. These accelerators focus on specific growth mechanisms including digital growth and online sales, government and supply chain contracting and procurement, scaling through brick and mortar, and other foundational business growth activities.
  3. $224,806 spent. SSBCI Capital readiness Program- TCbL was selected to be the technical assistance training partner for CalOSBAs SSBCI Technical Assistance Program. In 2024 TCbl completed assessments of 30 partner organizations and developed dozens of train the trainer resources for the network.
  4. $193,753 spent. Access to Capital Programs-The Center provided 127 small businesses with access to capital technical assistance and support including credit counseling, loan packaging, small grants and access to new credit facilities.
  5. $164,480 spent. Climate Resilience Programs-In 2024, we advanced four strategic pillars under our Climate Resilience Strategy, focusing on empowering communities to adapt to environmental changes and seize economic opportunities supporting main street businesses, middle market businesses, loval governments, and community organziations climate projects.
  6. $146,256 spent. California Grant Programs-The Center supported the administration of $100M+ in financial relief to small business owners impacted by a range of disruptions, from climate change and entertainment industry interruptions to the persistent aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on August 15, 2015.

    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 September 2015.

    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.