African American Alliance of Cdfi Ceos Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Alliance serves Black -led CDFI Nationwide. Founded in 2018, The Alliance has grown with 56 Black -led Community Development Financial institutions (CDFIs) committed to the support and growth of Black Communities and the Black executives leading CDFIs that serve those community
- Income
- $5.6 million
- Spending
- $6.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Employees
- 22
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $342,000, ceo/admin
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
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 33% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 34% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
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
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps 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 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 (4)
- $2.4 million spent. The Programs & Strategic Initiatives (PS&I) Program designs and manages the delivery of learning, capacity-building, and strategic initiatives that strengthen the operational, financial, and leadership capacity of Black-led CDFIs within the Alliance network. Through cohort-based programs, educational webinars, technical assistance, peer learning opportunities, and strategic partnerships, PS&I equips members with the tools and resources needed to increase impact in the communities they serve. The department's portfolio includes initiatives focused on certification readiness & preparedness, capital access, housing, technology infrastructure, and leadership development. While individual programs evolve in response to member needs and field conditions, the overarching goal of PS&I is to build the capacity, connectivity, and sustainability of Black-led CDFIs so they can more effectively drive economic opportunity and wealth creation in the communities they serve. This work builds on the Alliance's broader mission to strengthen member capacity, expand access to capital, and advance equitable economic development in Black communities.
- $1.4 million spent. The Economic Development and Lending Program works in fulfillment of one of the three mission pillars of the Alliance. They are responsible for the development and execution of comprehensive economic development strategies to elevate the impact of the organization as well as the member organizations it supports. They oversee the Black Renaissance Fund's lending programs and the Environment and Climate department, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and work to maximize its impact while ensuring its financial and environmental sustainability
- $846,100 spent. The Membership Services Program strengthens and equips community development financial institutions (CDFIs) with the tools, insights, and direct support they need to thrive. Through targeted technical assistance and peer learning, our Learning & Capacity Building Programming strengthens the operational, strategic, and financial resilience of our members - unlocking greater capital access for the communities they serve. This work supports The Alliance's broader mission to build capacity, bridges, and power, ensuring that members are positioned to expand their impact within the communities they serve.
- $1.0 million spent. The Policy & Research Program supports the Alliance's mission by providing policy analysis, research, strategic advocacy, and data collection on issues affecting Black-led CDFIs and the communities they serve. Core activities include monitoring legislative and regulatory developments, producing policy memos, public comments, testimony, and related materials, and engaging with federal agencies, policymakers, and strategic partners. The department also develops and administers the Alliance's annual member survey and related research tools to collect data on member activities, needs, and impact, which helps inform the Alliance's policy positions, program planning, external reporting, and efforts to advance equitable access to capital, housing, and economic opportunity. The Black Renaissance Fund was created to help close the 6:1 asset gap between Black-led CDFIs and their counterparts. To achieve this, the fund has set a goal to raise $125 million in low-cost, patient debt and unrestricted grant capital for reinvestments to Alliance members, and operating support for the Alliance as an organization. In 2022, the Alliance began its efforts to operationalize BRF and secure capital. The first investments into the fund included a $200 thousand PRI from the Adrian Dominican Sisters, a $3 million PRI from Bank of America, followed by a $5 million grant from the Rockefeller Foundation for capital deployment and credit enhancements. During 2025, BRF received $1.5 million in added debt for capital deployment.In December of 2024, BRF deployed its first loan with $7.1 million of loans receivable as of December 2025. In addition to loans, the Alliance provided $500 thousand in grants to help build capacity and support operational needs for those CDFI members most in need. BRF is fully operational and has set up credit and collection policies, underwriting templates, a board approved credit committee, a fully functioning loan tracking and servicing platform, and a framework for capturing impact
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 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 2025.
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 January 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.