Esteamed Coffee Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ESTEAMED COFFEE'S MISSION IS TO LOWER THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND INCREASE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL, DEVELOPMENTAL, COMMUNICATION, AND/OR VISUAL DISABILITES BY CREATING MEANINGFUL JOBS AND SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN A WARM, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT.
- Income
- $473,859
- Spending
- $406,429
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 11.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 52%
- Employees
- 22
- Volunteers
- 40
- Highest pay
- $79,759, director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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
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
0 of 10Did not give 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 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 (3)
- COFFEE SALES
- $293,792 spent. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: ACCORDING TO THE US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THE LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE FOR INDIVIDUALS AGES 16-64 WITH A DISABILITY WAS 41%, COMPARED WITH A RATE OF 77.9% FOR THOSE WITHOUT A DISABILITY (APRIL 2025). CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 13 ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES EMPLOYED AT ESTEAMED COFFEE. OUR MANAGERS WORK CLOSELY WITH THE STAFF TO DEVELOP THEIR JOB SKILLS AND SOCIAL ABILITIES WITH THE INTENT OF INCREASING THEIR CONFIDENCE AND GROWING THEIR ABILITY TO JOIN THE MAINSTREAM WORKFORCE. EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM ARE ALL GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE CAFE (COST OF GOODS, MERCHANDISE, PAYROLL, EQUIPMENT, ETC.). LOCAL ART PROGRAM: EACH QUARTER, WE PARTNER WITH 4-6 LOCAL ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES AND PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR THEM TO SELL THEIR WORK IN THE SHOP FOR COMMISSION. MOST RECENTLY WE HAVE ALSO BEGUN HOSTING INCLUSIVE ART MARKETS THAT SEE UP TO 12 VENDORS WITH DISABILITIES SELLING THEIR WORK TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC OUTSIDE OUR STORE IN DOWNTOWN CARY. EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE COMMISSIONS TO EACH ARTIST EVERY MONTH AND LABOR COSTS FOR THE MARKET (TYPICALLY GRANT FUNDED). VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM GIVES ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES THE CHANCE TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN SKILLS WHILE PROVIDING A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY PRACTICE SOCIAL SKILLS THROUGH GREETING CUSTOMERS AND WORKPLACE SKILLS THROUGH MAINTAINING THE CLEANLINESS OF THE CAF FLOOR ALONGSIDE NEUROTYPICAL VOLUNTEER GUIDES. WE ALSO ENGAGE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS IN CARY THROUGH OPPORTUNITIES TO BE A SOCIAL EVENT AIDE OR SERVE ON A COMMITTEE (FOR EXAMPLE, OUR MERCHANDISE COMMITTEE, LOCAL ART COMMITTEE, OR GALA COMMITTEE). EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION. SOCIAL EVENTS PROGRAM: UP TO FOUR TIMES A MONTH, ESTEAMED COFFEE HOSTS PUBLIC EVENTS IN CARY FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. THESE EVENTS INCLUDE GAME NIGHTS, KARAOKE PARTIES, ART CLASSES, AND MORE. THE MAJORITY OF EVENTS ARE GRANT FUNDED, BUT WE CHARGE GUESTS FOR THOSE THAT ARE NOT. EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE PAID TIME FOR CAFE STAFF, ONE DRINK FOR EACH GUEST, AND EQUIPMENT SUCH AS ART SUPPLIES, GAMES, ETC. ESTEAMERS PROGRAM: IN THE ESTEAMERS PROGRAM, OUR STAFF WITH DISABILITIES CREATE INSPIRATIONAL DESIGNS THAT WE FEATURE ON MERCHANDISE IN THE STORE, THE FULL PROCEEDS OF WHICH GO BACK TO THE STAFF TWICE A YEAR IN THE FORM OF BONUSES. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STAFF IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY. EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE THE COST OF GOODS FOR MERCHANDISE AND THE BONUS PAYOUTS TO OUR STAFF. FULL STEAM AHEAD (NEW IN 2025): ESTEAMED COFFEE IS COMMITTED TO EMPOWERING ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL, DEVELOPMENTAL, COMMUNICATION AND/OR VISUAL DISABILITIES BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, OR ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVORS. THIS 1000 SCHOLARSHIP AIMS TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN ACHIEVING THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL GOALS. FUNDS MAY BE USED FOR TUITION, TRAINING FEES, BUSINESS STARTUP COSTS, OR OTHER APPROVED EXPENSES. THIS YEAR, WE AWARDED OUR FIRST FULL STEAM AHEAD SCHOLARSHIP TO JASON CLINARD ROTH, A STUDENT HEADED TO UNC SCHOOL OF THE ARTS WHO AIMS TO AMPLIFY AUTISTIC VOICES IN FILM. THIS AWARD WILL SUPPORT HIS DREAM OF CREATING INCLUSIVE CINEMA THAT REFLECTS HIS EXPERIENCES AND EMPOWERS AUTISTIC FILMMAKERS. EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM ARE THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS AND STAFF TIME TO INTERVIEW, SELECT, AND HOLD CHECK-INS WITH THE RECIPIENT. TRAINING GROUNDS PROGRAM (NEW IN 2025):THE TRAINING GROUNDS PROGRAM IS A NEW INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IN TRANSITIONING FROM EMPLOYMENT AT OUR NONPROFIT CAFE TO POSITIONS IN INCLUSIVE, MAINSTREAM WORKPLACES. EACH SIX-MONTH COHORT WILL INCLUDE 13 CAFE TEAM MEMBERS WHO RECEIVE PERSONALIZED, SKILLS-BASED TRAINING IN PREPARATION FOR JOB PLACEMENT WITH CAREFULLY SELECTED AND SUPPORTED PARTNER EMPLOYERS. THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM, OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH BOTH THE EMPLOYEE AND THE EMPLOYER TO PROVIDE JOB-SPECIFIC COACHING, SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, AND MENTORSHIP. ONCE PLACED, PARTICIPANTS WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE STRUCTURED SUPPORT THROUGH ON-SITE CHECK-INS AND FOLLOW- UP TRAINING TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND LONG-TERM SUCCESS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CREATION OF THE TRAINING GROUNDS PROGRAM WILL CREATE A REVOLVING DOOR OF EMPLOYMENT AT ESTEAMED COFFEE, OPENING UP POSITIONS FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES TO WORK AT THE CAFE AS TRAINING GROUNDS PARTICIPANTS GRADUATE TO OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT. EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM CURRENTLY INCLUDE STAFF TIME FOR PLANNING, AS WE HAVE NOT FINISHED ORGANIZING OUR FIRST COHORT.
- WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: ACCORDING TO THE US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THE LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE FOR INDIVIDUALS AGES 16-64 WITH A DISABILITY WAS 41%, COMPARED WITH A RATE OF 77.9% FOR THOSE WITHOUT A DISABILITY (APRIL 2025). CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 13 ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES EMPLOYED AT ESTEAMED COFFEE. OUR MANAGERS WORK CLOSELY WITH THE STAFF TO DEVELOP THEIR JOB SKILLS AND SOCIAL ABILITIES WITH THE INTENT OF INCREASING THEIR CONFIDENCE AND GROWING THEIR ABILITY TO JOIN THE MAINSTREAM WORKFORCE. EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM ARE ALL GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE CAFE (COST OF GOODS, MERCHANDISE, PAYROLL, EQUIPMENT, ETC.). LOCAL ART PROGRAM: EACH QUARTER, WE PARTNER WITH 4-6 LOCAL ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES AND PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR THEM TO SELL THEIR WORK IN THE SHOP FOR COMMISSION. MOST RECENTLY WE HAVE ALSO BEGUN HOSTING INCLUSIVE ART MARKETS THAT SEE UP TO 12 VENDORS WITH DISABILITIES SELLING THEIR WORK TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC OUTSIDE OUR STORE IN DOWNTOWN CARY. EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE COMMISSIONS TO EACH ARTIST EVERY MONTH AND LABOR COSTS FOR THE MARKET (TYPICALLY GRANT FUNDED). VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM GIVES ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES THE CHANCE TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN SKILLS WHILE PROVIDING A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY PRACTICE SOCIAL SKILLS THROUGH GREETING CUSTOMERS AND WORKPLACE SKILLS THROUGH MAINTAINING THE CLEANLINESS OF THE CAF FLOOR ALONGSIDE NEUROTYPICAL VOLUNTEER GUIDES. WE ALSO ENGAGE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS IN CARY THROUGH OPPORTUNITIES TO BE A SOCIAL EVENT AIDE OR SERVE ON A COMMITTEE (FOR EXAMPLE, OUR MERCHANDISE COMMITTEE, LOCAL ART COMMITTEE, OR GALA COMMITTEE). EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION. SOCIAL EVENTS PROGRAM: UP TO FOUR TIMES A MONTH, ESTEAMED COFFEE HOSTS PUBLIC EVENTS IN CARY FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. THESE EVENTS INCLUDE GAME NIGHTS, KARAOKE PARTIES, ART CLASSES, AND MORE. THE MAJORITY OF EVENTS ARE GRANT FUNDED, BUT WE CHARGE GUESTS FOR THOSE THAT ARE NOT. EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE PAID TIME FOR CAFE STAFF, ONE DRINK FOR EACH GUEST, AND EQUIPMENT SUCH AS ART SUPPLIES, GAMES, ETC. ESTEAMERS PROGRAM: IN THE ESTEAMERS PROGRAM, OUR STAFF WITH DISABILITIES CREATE INSPIRATIONAL DESIGNS THAT WE FEATURE ON MERCHANDISE IN THE STORE, THE FULL PROCEEDS OF WHICH GO BACK TO THE STAFF TWICE A YEAR IN THE FORM OF BONUSES. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STAFF IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY. EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE THE COST OF GOODS FOR MERCHANDISE AND THE BONUS PAYOUTS TO OUR STAFF. FULL STEAM AHEAD (NEW IN 2025): ESTEAMED COFFEE IS COMMITTED TO EMPOWERING ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL, DEVELOPMENTAL, COMMUNICATION AND/OR VISUAL DISABILITIES BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, OR ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVORS. THIS 1000 SCHOLARSHIP AIMS TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN ACHIEVING THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL GOALS. FUNDS MAY BE USED FOR TUITION, TRAINING FEES, BUSINESS STARTUP COSTS, OR OTHER APPROVED EXPENSES. THIS YEAR, WE AWARDED OUR FIRST FULL STEAM AHEAD SCHOLARSHIP TO JASON CLINARD ROTH, A STUDENT HEADED TO UNC SCHOOL OF THE ARTS WHO AIMS TO AMPLIFY AUTISTIC VOICES IN FILM. THIS AWARD WILL SUPPORT HIS DREAM OF CREATING INCLUSIVE CINEMA THAT REFLECTS HIS EXPERIENCES AND EMPOWERS AUTISTIC FILMMAKERS. EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM ARE THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS AND STAFF TIME TO INTERVIEW, SELECT, AND HOLD CHECK-INS WITH THE RECIPIENT. TRAINING GROUNDS PROGRAM (NEW IN 2025):THE TRAINING GROUNDS PROGRAM IS A NEW INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IN TRANSITIONING FROM EMPLOYMENT AT OUR NONPROFIT CAFE TO POSITIONS IN INCLUSIVE, MAINSTREAM WORKPLACES. EACH SIX-MONTH COHORT WILL INCLUDE 13 CAFE TEAM MEMBERS WHO RECEIVE PERSONALIZED, SKILLS-BASED TRAINING IN PREPARATION FOR JOB PLACEMENT WITH CAREFULLY SELECTED AND SUPPORTED PARTNER EMPLOYERS. THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM, OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH BOTH THE EMPLOYEE AND THE EMPLOYER TO PROVIDE JOB-SPECIFIC COACHING, SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, AND MENTORSHIP. ONCE PLACED, PARTICIPANTS WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE STRUCTURED SUPPORT THROUGH ON-SITE CHECK-INS AND FOLLOW- UP TRAINING TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND LONG-TERM SUCCESS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CREATION OF THE TRAINING GROUNDS PROGRAM WILL CREATE A REVOLVING DOOR OF EMPLOYMENT AT ESTEAMED COFFEE, OPENING UP POSITIONS FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES TO WORK AT THE CAFE AS TRAINING GROUNDS PARTICIPANTS GRADUATE TO OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT. EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM CURRENTLY INCLUDE STAFF TIME FOR PLANNING, AS WE HAVE NOT FINISHED ORGANIZING OUR FIRST COHORT.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 March 2019.
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.