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Consumer Education Services Inc

EIN 56-2106758 · Raleigh, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CONSUMER EDUCATION SERVICES, INC. EMPOWERS PEOPLE TO OVERCOME THEIR FINANCIAL CHALLENGES AND LEAD FINANCIALLY-HEALTHY LIVES.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
74.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 54%
Employees
31
Highest pay
$106,234, chairman/ se

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 74.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 194% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 54% 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 June 30, 2025, 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 (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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 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 (3)
  1. $2.6 million spent. CREDIT COUNSELING AND EDUCATION, AND DEBT REDUCTION PROGRAM:THIS PROGRAM ASSISTS CLIENTS IN MANAGING THEIR PERSONAL FINANCES THROUGH THE PROVISION OF DEBT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, CREDIT COUNSELING, EDUCATION AND TRAINING, AND BUDGET PLANNING. CESI OFFERS ASSISTANCE OVER THE PHONE, ONLINE, AND IN PERSON. CERTIFIED CREDIT COUNSELOR'S DISCUSS VARIOUS OPTIONS WITH CLIENTS REGARDING FINANCIAL DECISIONS. THEY ASSESS INDIVIDUALS' PERSONAL FINANCIAL SITUATIONS AND ASSIST THEM IN DEVELOPING A BUDGET IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL CREDIT.
  2. $509,417 spent. THE HUD HOUSING PROGRAM OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES TO POTENTIAL HOMEBUYERS, RENTERS AND CURRENT HOMEOWNERS. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE EDUCATION THROUGH GROUP SESSIONS AND ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING. THE AREAS OF FOCUS ARE PRE-PURCHASE EDUCATION AND COUNSELING, RENTAL COUNSELING, FORECLOSURE PREVENTION COUNSELING, AND REVERSE MORTGAGE COUNSELING.CESI PROVIDED HOUSING STABILITY COUNSELING PROGRAM WITH ASSISTANCE TO HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS BY REACHING OUT TO LOAN SERVICERS, LANDLORDS, EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE FUNDERS, AND LOCAL/STATE HOUSING ASSISTANCE FUNDING PROGRAMS. CLIENTS WERE ALSO ASSISTED WITH BUDGETING NEEDS AND CREDIT REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS AS WARRANTED.
  3. $31,294 spent. COMMUNITY EDUCATION OUTREACH- CESI SUPPORTS THE ADVANCEMENT OF REVERSE MORTGAGE COUNSELING. FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION WITHIN LOCAL AND STATE COMMUNITIES THROUGH A STRONG COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM. OUTREACH EFFORTS INCLUDE GROUP EDUCATION PROGRAMS, USUALLY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY AGENCIES OR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. THE SECOND PART OF THE CESI OUTREACH EFFORT IS IN THE FORM OF FREE INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL COUNSELING AT THE CESI CENTER WITH AN ACCREDITED CESI COUNSELOR. CESI OFFERS NUMEROUS FINANCIAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, WHICH ARE EASILY ACCESSED BY ALL CONSUMERS AND NOT JUST CESI CUSTOMERS. THESE RESOURCES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP CONSUMERS BETTER MANAGE THEIR FINANCES AND TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF BECOMING DEBT FREE.

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 January 1999.

    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.