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Center for Community Self-Help

EIN 56-1271685 · Durham, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Centers mission is to create and protect ownership for all, especially people of color, women, rural residents and low wealth families and communities.

Income
$7.6 million
Spending
$5.8 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
18.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$141,893, treasurer

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

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 133% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% 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 65% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 10 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. $1.9 million spent. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SECONDARY MARKET PROGRAMS: Facilitation of a secondary market operated by Self-Help Ventures Fund for home mortgages of low-income buyers in distressed communities to make homeownership more widely available to these families. Approximately 17,685 beneficiaries.
  2. $1.6 million spent. EDUCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Together with supporting organizations Self-Help Ventures Fund and Self-Help Community Development Corporation, conducted general programs, educational and job-saving activities, and development of support groups and community-based organizations that help low-income people. Approximately 28,757 beneficiaries.
  3. $1.2 million spent. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REAL ESTATE PROJECTS: Primarily through its supporting organizations, Self-Help Ventures Fund and Self-Help Community Development Corp., The Center engages in economic development through the renovation of historic buildings, construction of new buildings in distressed communities; as well as provides quality affordable retail spaces, community facilities, and commercial rental spaces to revitalize and stabilize distressed communities. Approximately 6,767 beneficiaries.
  4. $999,006 spent. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LENDING: Primarily through Self-Help Ventures Fund, originated and purchased loans primarily to low income, rural, and minority communities enabling home ownership and fostering small business development. Created or maintained jobs, childcare facilities, and schools. Approximately 41,000 beneficiaries.
  5. RESPONSIBLE LENDING POLICY AND RESEARCH: Together with supporting organization Center for Responsible Lending, engaged in education & technical assistance on abusive financial practices that deplete the wealth of low-income & minority families & communities. Published 5 research reports, made 26 presentations, testimony, conferences, and analysis for comment letters to educate the general public and inform the regulatory process. Taken together, the activities noted above had approximately 91,693
  6. Form 990, Part III, Line 4d:COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LENDING: Primarily through Self-Help Ventures Fund, originated and purchased loans primarily to low-income, rural and distressed communities enabling homeownership and fostering small business development. Approximately 41,000 beneficiaries.Form 990, Part III, Line 4d: RESPONSIBLE LENDING POLICY AND RESEARCH: Together withsupporting organization Center for Responsible Lending, conducted research & providededucation & technical assistance regarding predatory lending & other abusive financialpractices. Published 5 research reports, and made 26 presentations. Taken together, theactivities noted above had approximately 91,693 beneficiaries.

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 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 2024.

    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 March 1981.

    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.