California Association for Alcohol Drug Educators Caade
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT HIGHER EDUCATION IN ADDICTION STUDIES BY DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING ACCREDITION STANDARDS; DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE STANDARDS FOR ADDICTION SERVICE PROFESSIONALS; AND PROVIDE PUBLIC POLICY EDUCATION
- Income
- $222,044
- Spending
- $181,715
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 87%
- Employees
- 4
- Highest pay
- $24,000, ex 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: 50 out of 100.
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 32% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 32% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 59 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $154,443 spent. 2024 marked major progress in credentialing. CAADE/ACCBC regained full operational oversight early in the fiscal year, rebuilt its database for stronger record retention, created onboarding and training protocols, hired and trained new staff, and cross-trained noncredentialing staff and volunteers. The organization achieved and maintained a 10-day turnaround for registration and certification applications and implemented processes to build a diverse, engaged certification board. Credentialing refocused on CAADEs core mission and the value of education for addiction counselors, setting Californias highest standards and requiring ongoing, practice-relevant education. CAADE also earned a five-year reaccreditation from the National Commission of Certifying Agencies.
- For CAADE:The organization's focus for 2024 was set on rebuilding a stable credentialing service and continuing to operate with prudent financial practices. Even with the focus on credentialing, the organization supported the development and launch of three graduate programs focused on pathways to addiction treatment professions, as well as two community college addiction studies programs. The organization was highly active in representing and supporting addiction studies programs at degree-granting institutions for compliance with changes related to future California requirements for Registered Addiction Counselors and Federal financial aid eligibility for programs in gainful employment.
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
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 December 2024.
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 August 1987.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.
California's Attorney General lists its registration as delinquent as of December 31, 2005. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.
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.