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Africa Exchange

EIN 54-1850816 · Cedar Grove, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To conduct education and development programs for the benefit of children and communities in marginalized, rural Kenya.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$739,596
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
12.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
1
Highest pay
$111,026, executive dir.

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 47% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 11 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, 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 (5)
  1. $253,276 spent. Development Initiatives: We seek to build resilience in select local communities through leadership training, capacity building and education in various means of appropriate technology. Committee formation and responsibilities, savings groups and green technologies are all means to this end. We also support pilot income generation projects like bee keeping and kitchen gardens in an effort to diversify income steams and create opportunity. Our occasional disaster response initiatives are integrated into this program.
  2. $196,306 spent. Maa Trust: The Maa Trust is a charitable community development organization with tax exempt status in Kenya. Its goals of childhood education and development, sustainable livelihoods, community health and conservation are compatible and consistent with the objectives and goals of Africa Exchange.All funding to the Maa Trust from Africa Exchange is under a fiscal sponsor relationship and is utilized strictly for designated programs and project funding. Funds are disbursed by wire transfer directly to the Maa Trust main account where they are accounted for per rigorous accounting procedures, annual reports and annually audited accounts.The executive director of Africa Exchange sits on the board of Maa Trust and is privy to all current developments and reports. The two organizations collaborate frequently in the particular areas of operations where the Maa Trust operates.
  3. $147,776 spent. Change for Children: Meets the needs of vulnerable children aged 4-6 years from select communities in each province of Kenya. This initiative is based from 10 Integrated Child Development Centers (ICDCs) offering supplemental nutrition, deworming and malaria prevention, clean water and education. Following graduation from primary school, a few children "scholars" are selected to continue their secondary education under full scholarship and one or two through to University.
  4. $7,898 spent. Keeping Earth: Seeking to do our part to conserve natual environments/biodiversity and decrease vulnerability associated with the effects of climate change, we engage in environmental education beginning with young children through to entire communities. Our primary efforts center around the establishment of tree nurseries and tree planting in our "Trees for Life" project as well as restoration of native grasses for grazing and thatch.
  5. Kutana: Our cross-cultural education program with seminaries, universities and church partners include service-learning opportunities associated with our ICDC sites. Visitors learn from local people and participate in daily or project activities based on an attitude of mutal respect. Visiting teams also have the chance to explore the diverse environment that Kenya affords. The outgrowth of these experiences is program support for our various initiatives.

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

  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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1997.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.