Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Educational Programs Inspiring Communities Inc

EIN 73-1644107 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Educational Programs Inspiring Communities, Inc. (EPIC) seeks to promote structured independence in individuals with developmental disabilities by providing innovative education, training, housing and employment programs.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 41%
Employees
54
Volunteers
105
Highest pay
$101,519, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $1.0 million spent. H.E.A.R.T. (Housing, Entrepreneurship and Readiness Training) Vending and Concessions is a vocational training program that focuses on food service, vending machines, concessions, catering, and customer service. The most unique aspect of this program is the on-the-job training component, where H.E.A.R.T. transports participants to job sites located throughout the region and provides supported employment to participants. Participants also receive hands-on instruction in job-related tasks such as counting money, labeling product, inventory, and other activities. These activities will be conducted in small groups and 1-on-1 as needed. Trainees, clients with intellectual disabilities, get paychecks of at least $8 per hour once they have been trained.
  2. From August to May, H.E.A.R.T. collaborates with Houston Independent School District, Galena Park Independent School District, and Channelview Independent School District in vocational training programs designed to address gaps in the special education system. This self-contained program provides classroom education and vocational training to better prepare graduating seniors to enter the workforce after graduation. The school districts transport, provide meals, and administer the required standard classroom education for the students while H.E.A.R.T. implements the job skills and employment training in food service, food supply chain operations, vending, and concessions, to help these students be "job-ready and give them work experience before they graduate. Continued on Schedule O.Learning how to prepare hot meals, chop fruits and vegetables, and operate a pallet jack and forklift are just a few of the activities that H.E.A.R.T. students learn every weekday through the program. This program gives students experience in a wide variety of environments without having to coordinate transportation to different places or have many different supervisors.
  3. $82,117 spent. Through a partnership with CVS Health, EPIC offers a 10-week retail training program for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities who are interested in working in a retail environment. The program is free for participants and offers the first "mock store" in the state of Texas. Trainees receive classroom instruction and hands-on training at the mock store before transitioning to an 80-hour externship at a local CVS. Upon completion of the program, participants are eligible for hire in a CVS store.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 October 2003.

    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.