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Center for Black Educator Development

EIN 84-1814119 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENSURE THERE WILL BE EQUITY IN THE RECRUITING, TRAINING, HIRING, AND RETENTION OF QUALITY EDUCATORS WHO BOTH REFLECT THE CULTURAL BACKGROUND AND SHARE THE COMMON SOCIO-POLITICAL INTERESTS OF THE STUDENTS THEY SERVE.

Income
$17.3 million
Spending
$8.7 million
Spent on programs
55%
Reserves
38 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
143
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$266,614, executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 38.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 50% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    55% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $3.3 million spent. TEACHING PATHWAYS - THE FREEDOM SCHOOL'S LITERARY ACADEMY IS A 4 WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM OFFERED BOTH VIRTUALLY AND ONSITE IN PHILADELPHIA TO PROVIDE COLLEGE-AGED INDIVIDUALS AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE AND DEEPEN THEIR INTEREST IN BECOMING NOT JUST TEACHERS, BUT EDUCATOR ACTIVISTS. AS APPRENTICES, STUDENTS PROVIDE RISING 1ST THROUGH 3RD GRADE SCHOLARS WITH LITERACY INTERVENTION AND AN AFFIRMING SPACE THAT CELEBRATES BOTH THEIR CULTURE AND THEIR RACIAL IDENTITY. ALL FSLA PARTICIPANTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CENTER'S BLACK TEACHER PIPELINE FELLOWSHIP, WHICH PROVIDES ACADEMIC SUPPORT, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, SCHOLARSHIPS TO COLLEGE-AGED INDIVIDUALS, AND RETENTION STIPENDS AFTER THEY HAVE ENTERED THE EDUCATION FIELD.
  2. $1.3 million spent. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING - PROVIDES TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR BLACK EDUCATORS, DESIGNED BY BLACK EDUCATORS. THIS WORK IS DELIVERED PRIMARILY THROUGH THE BLACK MALE EDUCATOR CONFERENCE, THE ORGANIZATION'S ANNUAL CONVENING, AS WELL AS FEE-FOR-SERVICE TRAINING AND CONTRACT-BASED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING ENGAGEMENTS.
  3. $42,950 spent. PUBLIC ADVOCACY- THE CENTER ADVOCATES FOR LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL INTERVENTIONS THAT SUPPORT TEACHER DIVERSITY.

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 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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 February 2022.

    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 November 4, 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.