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Alliance Center for Education Inc

EIN 56-0543244 · Charlotte, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN IN NEED THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH THEIR FAMILIES. OUR VISION IS TO POSITIVELY AFFECT THE FUTURE OF CHILDREN AT RISK BY IMPROVING ECONOMIC MOBILITY THROUGH EDUCATION. WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT EDUCATION IS A POWERFUL CATALYST FOR BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY. BY INVESTING IN FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND OFFERING HOLISTIC SUPPORT, WE ARE PAVING THE WAY FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE, WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. TOGETHER, WE ARE BUILDING A BRIDGE TO SUCCESS, ONE FAMILY AT A TIME. OUR PROGRAMS ARE A BEACON OF HOPE, OFFERED TO ELIGIBLE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AT NO COST. TO ENSURE TARGETED IMPACT, WE EMPLOY A METICULOUS RECRUITMENT,SELECTION, AND ENROLLMENT PROCESS, REACHING THE POPULATIONS IN GREATEST NEED OF OUR SERVICES. UPON ENROLLMENT, EACH FAMILY RECEIVES PERSONALIZED SUPPORT FROM OUR DEDICATED TEAM MEMBERS. TOGETHER, THEY SET AMBITIOUS STUDENT AND FAMILY GOALS, AND WE LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED

Income
$10.6 million
Spending
$10.6 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 97%
Employees
152
Volunteers
618
Highest pay
$178,066, ceo

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

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • 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

    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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $7.7 million spent. THE ALLIANCE CENTER FOR EDUCATION, AC4ED, IS DRIVEN BY A VISION-ENSURE THAT A FAMILY'S INCOME DOES NOT DICTATE A CHILD'S FUTURE. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUIALITY EDUCATION AND SUPPORT CHILDREN IN NEED THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH THEIR FAMILIES. OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM, MODELED AFTER THE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE HEAD START APPROACH, PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES, FROM EDUCATION TO HOME VISITATION FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS AND CHILDREN AGED BIRTH TO 5. OUR HOLISTIC APPROACH FOSTERS EARLY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH, AND FAMILY WELL-BEING, PAVING THE THE WAY FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE. THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMITMENT, WE HAVE WITNESSED TRANSFORMATIVE OUTCOMES IN THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE FUNDED BY FEDERAL GRANTS FROM HEAD START, EARLY HEAD START AND MUNICIPAL GRANTS FROM MECK PRE-K AND NC PRE-K. THE ALLIANCE CENTER FOR EDUCATION, AC4ED, IS DRIVEN BY A VISION-ENSURE THAT A FAMILY'S INCOME DOES NOT DICTATE A CHILD'S FUTURE. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUIALITY EDUCATION AND SUPPORT CHILDREN IN NEED THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH THEIR FAMILIES. OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM, MODELED AFTER THE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE HEAD START APPROACH, PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES, FROM EDUCATION TO HOME VISITATION FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS AND CHILDREN AGED BIRTH TO 5. OUR HOLISTIC APPROACH FOSTERS EARLY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH, AND FAMILY WELL-BEING, PAVING THE THE WAY FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE. THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMITMENT, WE HAVE WITNESSED TRANSFORMATIVE OUTCOMES IN THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE FUNDED BY FEDERAL GRANTS FROM HEAD START, EARLY HEAD START AND MUNICIPAL GRANTS FROM MECK PRE-K AND NC PRE-K.
  2. $300,155 spent. AT THE ALLIANCE CENTER FOR EDUCATION, WE OFFER A DYNAMIC CONTINUUM OF SERVICES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S TRANSITION FROM PRE-KNDERGARTEN TO THEIR K- 12 SCHOOL YEARS. OUR OUT OF SCHOOL TIME (OST) PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR AND SUMMER CAMP, PROVIDING ENGAGING AND ENRICHING EXPERIENCES BEYOND REGULAR SCHOOL HOURS. OUR KINDERGARTEN-5TH GRADE OST PROGRAM FOSTERS A LOVE FOR LEARNING IN CHILDREN BY EXPLORING VARIOUS SUBJECTS, INCLUDING MATH, ART, SCIENCE, MUSIC, AND NUTRITION, THROUGH FUN LEARN-AT-PLAY ACTIVITIES IN THE AFTERNOON. OUR DEDICATED OST EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONALS ALSO PROVIDE HOMEWORK HELP AND TUTORING TO KEEP SCHOOLWORK ON TRACK. WE ENSURE STUDENTS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS ACTIVITIES, SPECIAL EVENTS, ARTS AND CRAFTS, AND FIELD TRIPS, ENCOURAGING THEIR CONTINUED PARTICIPATION YEAR AFTER YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, OUR 6TH GRADE-12TH OST- AC4ED TEEN LEADERSHIP COOPERATIVE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED AS A SOCIAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT TO EQUIP STUDENTS ENTERING THEIR TEENS WITH CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS THAT WILL SERVE THEM FOR A LIFETIME. APART FROM TUTORING AND HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, OUR OST EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONALS MENTOR AC4ED STUDENTS IN PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, CHARACTER EDUCATION, GOAL-SETTING, TIME MANAGEMENT, FINANCIAL PLANNING, UNDERSTANDING VARIOUS CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONSIDERING COLLEGE OPTIONS AND TOURS. TO CREATE A BALANCED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE, WE INCOPORATE GUEST SPEAKERS, FIELD TRIPS,SPECIAL EVENTS AND EXPLORATION IN ARTS, MUSIC, AND NUTRITION SCIENCES. WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT THESE PROGRAMS THROUGH MUNICIPAL AND CORPORATE GRANTS, ALONG WITH FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES. AT THE ALLIANCE CENTER FOR EDUCATION, WE OFFER A DYNAMIC CONTINUUM OF SERVICES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S TRANSITION FROM PRE-KNDERGARTEN TO THEIR K- 12 SCHOOL YEARS. OUR OUT OF SCHOOL TIME (OST) PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR AND SUMMER CAMP, PROVIDING ENGAGING AND ENRICHING EXPERIENCES BEYOND REGULAR SCHOOL HOURS. OUR KINDERGARTEN-5TH GRADE OST PROGRAM FOSTERS A LOVE FOR LEARNING IN CHILDREN BY EXPLORING VARIOUS SUBJECTS, INCLUDING MATH, ART, SCIENCE, MUSIC, AND NUTRITION, THROUGH FUN LEARN-AT-PLAY ACTIVITIES IN THE AFTERNOON. OUR DEDICATED OST EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONALS ALSO PROVIDE HOMEWORK HELP AND TUTORING TO KEEP SCHOOLWORK ON TRACK. WE ENSURE STUDENTS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS ACTIVITIES, SPECIAL EVENTS, ARTS AND CRAFTS, AND FIELD TRIPS, ENCOURAGING THEIR CONTINUED PARTICIPATION YEAR AFTER YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, OUR 6TH GRADE-12TH OST- AC4ED TEEN LEADERSHIP COOPERATIVE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED AS A SOCIAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT TO EQUIP STUDENTS ENTERING THEIR TEENS WITH CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS THAT WILL SERVE THEM FOR A LIFETIME. APART FROM TUTORING AND HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, OUR OST EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONALS MENTOR AC4ED STUDENTS IN PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, CHARACTER EDUCATION, GOAL-SETTING, TIME MANAGEMENT, FINANCIAL PLANNING, UNDERSTANDING VARIOUS CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONSIDERING COLLEGE OPTIONS AND TOURS. TO CREATE A BALANCED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE, WE INCOPORATE GUEST SPEAKERS, FIELD TRIPS,SPECIAL EVENTS AND EXPLORATION IN ARTS, MUSIC, AND NUTRITION SCIENCES. WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT THESE PROGRAMS THROUGH MUNICIPAL AND CORPORATE GRANTS, ALONG WITH FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES.
  3. $1.1 million spent. WITH AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT SPANNING OVER 80 YEARS, AC4ED HAS BEEN AN INTERGAL PART OF CHARLOTTE'S MOST UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES. AS CHARLOTTE'S LANDSCAPE HAS EVOLVED, SO HAS AC4ED, ADAPTING THROUGH STRATEGIC GROWTH AND COLLABORATIONS TO CONTINUE OUR VITAL MISSION OF SERVING THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO NEED US MOST.
  4. WITH AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT SPANNING OVER 80 YEARS, AC4ED HAS BEEN AN INTERGAL PART OF CHARLOTTE'S MOST UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES. AS CHARLOTTE'S LANDSCAPE HAS EVOLVED, SO HAS AC4ED, ADAPTING THROUGH STRATEGIC GROWTH AND COLLABORATIONS TO CONTINUE OUR VITAL MISSION OF SERVING THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO NEED US MOST.

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 November 6, 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 1976.

    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 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.