Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Center for Entrepreneurial Development

EIN 56-1399587 · Rtp, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CONNECT ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPANIES WITH HIGH-VALUE RESOURECES SUCH AS EDUCATION, MENTORING AND CAPITAL CONNECTIONS/FORMATION, TO ACCELERATE BUSINESS GROWTH.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 59%
Employees
9
Volunteers
148
Highest pay
$199,874, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 128% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 36 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    38 of 39 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $1.5 million spent. CED OPERATES ITS NON-PROFIT PROGRAMS ACCORDING TO A STRATEGIC VISION ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.PROGRAMS LIKE GRO INCUBATOR PROVIDE EDUCATION FOR EARLY STAGE COMPANIES AND FOUNDERS. THE CURRICULUM IS SUPPORTED BY SUCCESSFUL FOUNDERS WHO PROVIDE EXPERTISE AND ADVICE FOR SCALE.VENTURE CONNECT IS ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT ENABLES STARTUP COMPANIES TO CONNECT TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO GROW. THIS IS THE CULMINATION OF YEAR-ROUND PROGRESS ACHIEVED THROUGH SUPPORT/GUIDANCE OFFERED BY CED TEAM DIRECTLY TO STARTUPS.THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE (VENTURE CONNECT) RETURNED TO IN-PERSON FORMAT IN 2022. THE EVENT HOSTS OVER 800 PP AND PROVIDES EDUCATION, CONNECTIONS AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES.CED ENGAGES OVER 400 PARTNERS IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY INCLUDING STARTUPS, CORPORATE, INVESTORS, AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS. CED LAUNCHED A SUPPORT ORGANIZATION NETWORK INTENDED TO BRING TOGETHER ENTITIES SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS TO FOSTER COLLABORATION ACROSS THE ECOSYSTEM.CED CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN PARTNERSHIPS WITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS HELPING TO SUPPORT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 2025.

    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 December 1988.

    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.