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Cise

EIN 82-0977523 · Cincinnati, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of CISE is to transform the lives of urban children by providing access to a strong Catholic education at designated inner-city schools and Catholic high schools. Gospel values are taught in an environment of respect, safety, and discipline. CISE works with schools to promote excellence through collaboration and accountability.

Income
$6.4 million
Spending
$7.0 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
14.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
12
Volunteers
36
Highest pay
$228,951, president

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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    30 of 30 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 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 (4)
  1. $3.9 million spent. Elementary School Tuition Support ProgramCISE provides funding as tuition assistance to ten Cincinnati inner-city elementary schools so a solid, faith-based education is available to children as an alternative to the public school. CISE's contribution makes the Catholic school education affordable. All families can take advantage of this. Students are 66% non-Catholic, 88% minority population, and 91% impoverished.
  2. $954,650 spent. High School Tuition Aid Program Tuition aid is provided to 8th grade graduates of the CISE elementary schools to enable them to continue their education at a Catholic high school.
  3. $288,587 spent. Math Program Standardized test scores revealed an opportunity to improve Math achievement. Acknowledging that math becomes more challenging in high school CISE enlisted support from the Hamilton County Educational Services Center. Daily, these coaches consult with CISE teachers, co-teach and examine assessments. They ensure all teachers present math content with confidence and that students are mastering the concepts necessary for high school success. Teachers have welcomed the addition of Math Coaches. Reading Program The Science of Reading Program conducted by Mount St Joseph University to help coach teachers with teaching reading in the classrooms. Thus far one school is participating with a plan to have other schools join the program..
  4. $862,688 spent. School Nursing & Mental Health Programs:CISE is helping to provide a full-time nurse in every CISE elementary school. This service ensures minor health concerns don't become major impediments to learning which has proven transformative for students and families. CISE has also partnered with Beech Acres ""Beyond the Classroom"" which connects families to mental health support, as well as financial and community resources, through a Family Engagement Coordinator. High School Student Support:CISE provides funding to the high schools for a CISE advocate to help the students achieve success in high school. Teacher Improvement:Training is being provided to help faculty to be better leaders in the classroom. Athletic opportunities: Time is rented from the Friar's Athletic Club to provide opportunities for involvement in sport programs.Power Packs Program: Hunger is detrimental to learning. When CISE learned many of its students were coming to school on Monday hungry, they partnered with the Freestore Foodbank to provide Power Packs to food-insecure students. A Power Pack contains sufficient food for one child for the weekend. Each Friday during the school year, students, by teacher recommendation, receive a Power Pack. They no longer have to worry about being hungry over the weekend; they come to school fed and prepared to learn.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2017.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.