Chico Economic Planning Corporation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
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
To support and enrich Northern Califonia's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and provide startups the resources they need to succeed.
- Income
- $669,968
- Spending
- $549,434
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 2.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 2
- Highest pay
- $135,377, executive director
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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 39% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% 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
Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports 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 (16)
- $20,000 spent. Regional growth programs. Support and administer economic development programs which include web hosting, expenditure tracking, management and management training, and staff training tailored to rural CA counties and unincorporated areas.
- $193,689 spent. iHub Economic accelerator program of CA. Rural northern California branch of the program to assist existing small businesses and new businesses lower the cost of developing new markets and innovations.
- $185,137 spent. Technical Assistance Program Advising and training for small businesses to start, grow, expand and create jobs in California.
- $50,000 spent. CA EDD micro-grant program. Funds awarded to small businesses that fit CEPCO's mission.
- $2,699 spent. Economic Development Agency grant program for economic accelerator programs
- $97,909 spent. growTECH Fest annual conference to connect investors with innovative start-ups and multiple days of business workshops.
- CEPCOs services in line with their mission.
- Expenses: $50000.00 including grants of: $50000.00 Revenue: $50000.00
- CA EDD micro-grant program. Funds awarded to small businesses that fit
- Expenses: $2699.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $0.00
- Economic Development Agency grant program for economic accelerator programs
- Expenses: $97909.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $15216.00
- growTECH Fest annual conference to connect investors with innovative
- start-ups and multiple days of business workshops.
- Expenses: $0.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $171380.00
- CEPCO's services in line with their mission.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.