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Atlanta Educational Telecommunications Collaborative

EIN 58-2126423 · Atlanta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

WABE STRIVES TO CREATE A MORE INFORMED, ENRICHED, CONNECTED ATLANTA COMMUNITY THROUGH NEWS, ARTS AND CULTURE, MUSIC, AND ENTERTAINMENT ON RADIO, TV, AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS AS WELL AS BY HOSTING A WIDE VARIETY OF COMMUNITY EVENTS. WE EXCHANGE KNOWLEDGE WITH THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE PERSPECTIVE AND ENABLE BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH OTHER, CELEBRATING OUR COMMONALITIES AND DIFFERENCES. TOGETHER, OUR PERSPECTIVES ARE MORE COMPLETE AND INSPIRE CHANGE.

Income
$18.4 million
Spending
$19.1 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
110
Volunteers
39
Highest pay
$342,735, 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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 25 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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. $6.0 million spent. Radio: WABE-FM provides 24-hour daily programming, in conjunction with its website at www.wabe.org, that informs metro Atlanta about what's going on across the world and in their various communities. Approximately 249,500 listeners each WEEK DURING FY25 LISTENED TO THE STATION. This quality programming incudes local news reporting along with nationally produced programming from National Public Radio (NPR) and locally produced shows, Closer Look and City Lights. Closer Look is a daily newsmagazine that functions as a community forum for key leaders, experts, and members of the broader community to share ideas and explore issues on a wide variety of important topics. City Lights is a daily arts and culture program that provides a view into Atlanta's rich creative achievements. Local news reporting is a major emphasis of the station. Programming also includes classical music as well as jazz and blues programming. In addition, a series of podcasts covering local politics and other relevant topics. Buried Truths, a national award-winning podcast, investigates stories of injustice, resilience, and racism in the American South. Gold Dome Scramble and Political Breakfast podcasts are hosted by veteran Atlanta political reporters who facilitate the dialog between political strategists from the right and left about a broad variety of timely issues on a biweekly basis.
  2. $2.7 million spent. Digital: WABE extends the radio and TV experience by offering a companion website for each of the stations, www.wabe.org. The website provides a wide variety of local and national reporting and programming, and, in addition, expands the audience experience to include other options, including streaming online, apps, and social media channels like Facebook and Twitter. There are 3 HD streams that include the WABE broadcast as well as a continuous news stream of BBC international news geared to a U.S. audience and a classical music stream.
  3. $2.7 million spent. TV: WABE-TV, is a public television station that, in conjunction with website content at www.wabe.org, is viewed each week by approximately 123,000 people. The station provides a broad variety of educational, informational, entertainment, and cultural programming for all age groups. Programming is sourced from Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and other providers. WABE-TV also produces and broadcasts local Atlanta features capturing interesting highlights about the community, including Sounds Like ATL and Atlanta On Film. For Atlantan's who hunger for learning and enrichment, WABE-TV is the only publicly funded entertainment platform rooted in discovery, culture and community that tells the story of the world through the eyes of Atlanta.

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 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 June 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 February 1995.

    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.