Center for Creative Education
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Center for Creative Education's mission is to "transform teaching and learning through creativity and the arts". CCE envisions a world where each child has the opportunity to learn and grow in the way that meets their needs and allows them to reach their full potential as citizens and contributors to society.
- Income
- $6.8 million
- Spending
- $4.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -7.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 62%
- Employees
- 62
- Volunteers
- 3
- Highest pay
- $265,769, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 22% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 64% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (2)
- $1.3 million spent. The Foundations School is CCE's independent K-5 lab school serving students from underserved communities in Palm Beach County. The school provides a rigorous, arts-integrated educational model designed to strengthen literacy, numeracy, creative thinking, social-emotional development, and overall academic achievement. Through small class sizes, an extended academic calendar, targeted intervention, family engagement, and whole-child support, The Foundations School serves as CCE's primary school-based demonstration model for improving outcomes for students who may otherwise face significant barriers to educational success.
- $2.3 million spent. In addition to The Foundations School, CCE advances its mission through a connected set of programs that support students, families, educators, and the broader community. The Karakul-Held Academy provides arts-integrated learning opportunities, including afterschool, kindergarten readiness, and family engagement programs for elementary-aged students across Palm Beach County. Blue Planet Global Education helps students and teachers build global competence through classroom-based projects, international collaboration, and real-world problem solving. DePorres P.L.A.C.E. Adult Literacy Center provides free tutoring, English language learning, GED preparation, citizenship preparation, and digital literacy support for adults. Together, these programs extend CCE's impact beyond the school day and beyond the school campus, strengthening educational opportunity for children, families, and the community.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1996.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.