Collegiate Edu-Nation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To end generational poverty in rural America by empowering rural school districts and communities to support and educate students/youth, beginning at home, continuing from the first day of Pre-K through postsecondary, leading to meaningful careers for lifetime success.
- Income
- $3.9 million
- Spending
- $3.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 7.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 39%
- Employees
- 55
- Highest pay
- $156,402, ceo
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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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
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
10 of 10Gave 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (3)
- $1.7 million spent. The Pillar One team of Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN) supported rural and small districts by providing tools, training, and frameworks rooted in the Essential Elements. Core activities included professional learning, instructional support, district planning, and conference presentations to strengthen teaching, leadership capacity, and student pathways.Metrics and Outcomes26 districts served and 582 educators trained through Research-Based Instructional Strategies (RBIS) in Mathematics and English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR) for K-8.Developed a method to combine Five Star Ratings across the eight Essential Elements, creating a measurable framework for assessing and celebrating district progress.Guided schools in developing strategic plans, mission and vision statements, belief systems, and Portrait of a Graduate frameworks.Advanced project-based and place-based learning, including agriculture-focused initiatives that connected students to emerging agri-tech careers.Delivered conference presentations in multiple tracks, including artificial intelligence (AI), rural education, and college and career readiness.
- $725,070 spent. Pillar Two advanced rural workforce and community pathways by supporting adult learners and strengthening regional talent ecosystems across rural Texas. Through postsecondary coaching, Registered Apprenticeship expansion, and place-based community engagement, CEN increased credential attainment and workforce placement while building cross-sector partnerships and scalable regional hub models supported by philanthropic investments.Metrics and OutcomesSupported adult learners across 40+ rural Texas communities through coaching, career navigation, and workforce placement support.Served 218 adult learners in high-demand fields including healthcare, nursing, teaching, manufacturing, HVAC, and skilled trades.Established or deepened 61 employer, college, and community partnerships to expand pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship pathways.Engaged 300+ community stakeholders (mayors, economic development leaders, county judges, educators, healthcare systems, and industry partners) in coordinated workforce strategies.Scaled regionally aligned hub models to support industry training, apprenticeships, and civic leadership initiatives across West, Central, and East Texas.
- $149,843 spent. Pillar Three advanced rural empowerment by launching new initiatives and expanding national advocacy and partnership efforts to elevate rural priorities in education and workforce development. Through national convenings, virtual learning, student exposure opportunities, and multi-state expansion efforts, CEN strengthened rural voice, increased cross-sector alignment, and accelerated the spread of effective rural models.Metrics and OutcomesHosted the inaugural National Rural Empowerment Conference, convening rural K12 districts, higher education partners, and employers with cross-sector sessions on rural education-to-workforce pathways.Launched a recurring Rural Lunch & Learn Series, providing accessible virtual professional learning on stakeholder-identified rural priorities (e.g., apprenticeships, broadband-enabled learning, teacher pathways).Began the Ask the Expert student series, connecting rural middle and high school students with industry and postsecondary professionals to increase exposure to high-value careers and credentials.Launched the National Rural Ambassadors Program, equipping rural educators, students, and community partners to elevate rural success stories and inform policy and funding conversations.Provided nonpartisan rural advocacy and technical guidance through testimony/briefings, coalition participation, and dissemination of rural best practices to strengthen rural access to high-value pathways.Expanded operations into additional states and hosted a national convening representing 7 states, with active conversations underway in 9 states regarding rural P20 support and implementation.Strengthened cross-sector partnerships among ISDs, IHEs, employers, and philanthropic partners through conference engagement, and stakeholder roundtables to align investment with rural priorities.
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 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 June 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 June 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.