Mcel United Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO DEVELOP AND SUPPORT A STRONG NETWORK OF MALE LEADERS OF COLOR WHO LEAD FIERCELY THROUGH THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES AND LIVED EXPERIENCES. THESE LEADERS OF COLOR WILL HELP ENSURE ALL STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY THE MOST MARGINALIZED AND DISENFRANCHISED, REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
- Income
- $2.6 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 5.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 60%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 7
- Highest pay
- $180,625, 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 29% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 246% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 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 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 (7)
- $754,857 spent. SCHOOL SYSTEM LEADERSHIP CONSULTING:MCEL CULTIVATES STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS, DISTRICTS, AND SCHOOL SYSTEMS ACROSS THE NATION. OUR COLLABORATIVE APPROACH IS CENTERED ON A KEEN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW SCHOOLS AND SYSTEMS OPERATE. MCEL PARTNERS WITH THESE INSTITUTIONS WITH AN INTENSE FOCUS ON STUDENT SUCCESS USING THE CRITICAL LEVERS OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION.IN FY25, MCEL WORKED WITH SUPERINTENDENTS AND THEIR EXECUTIVE CABINETS/LEADERSHIP TEAMS TO CREATE SYSTEMS OF SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL LEADERS. MCEL PROVIDED EXECUTIVE COACHING TO SUPERINTENDENTS AND CHIEFS, HELPED DISTRICT AND CHARTER LEADERS CLARIFY THE PRINCIPAL SUPERVISOR ROLE, COACHED PRINCIPAL SUPERVISORS TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT FOR SCHOOL LEADERS, AND ASSISTED DISTRICT LEADERS WITH STRATEGIES TO BETTER SUPPORT CURRENT AND ASPIRING LEADERS. MCEL ALSO CONTINUED TO SUPPORT AFFINITY GROUPS FOR MALE AND FEMALE LEADERS OF COLOR, CREATED MCEL CHAPTERS TO PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE SPACES FOR LEADERS OF COLOR TO BE THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES, AND PROVIDED INDIVIDUALIZED COACHING TO EDUCATIONAL LEADERS. FINALLY, MCEL PARTNERED WITH SCHOOL SYSTEM EXECUTIVES TO DESIGN STRATEGY, CLARIFY FOCUS AND OUTCOMES, AND PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING TO SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS.
- $379,216 spent. NATIONAL CONVENING:MCEL HOSTS AN ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENING, DEDICATED TO MALE LEADERS OF COLOR FROM VARIOUS ROLES ACROSS THE NATION, INCLUDING ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS, PRINCIPALS, VARIOUS MANAGEMENT ROLES, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS, DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENTS, CHIEFS OF STAFF, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS, SUPERINTENDENTS, LEADERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION, AND OTHER NON-PROFIT LEADERS.THE AGENDA INCLUDES PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS, FIRESIDE CHATS WITH PROMINENT THOUGHT LEADERS, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES, AND ACTIVITIES TO FACILITATE HEALING AND REJUVENATION. THIS GATHERING IS AN ESSENTIAL PLATFORM FOR LEADERS LOOKING TO ENHANCE THEIR IMPACT IN THE EDUCATIONAL AND NON-PROFIT SECTORS.MCEL'S 2024 NATIONAL CONVENING BUILT UPON THE SUCCESS OF PREVIOUS CONVENINGS. NEARLY 250 PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED, AN INCREASE OF OVER 60% FROM THE 2023 CONVENING. THIRTY EIGHT (38) PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED THE HISPANIC MALE LEADERS PRE-CONFERENCE, AN INCREASE OF 90% FROM THE PREVIOUS CONVENING. FOR THE FIRST TIME, MCEL ALSO HOSTED SIX (6) SCHOOL-SYSTEM SPECIFIC PRE-CONFERENCES TO ADDRESS INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL SYSTEM PRIORITIES AND NEEDS.PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK AND SURVEY DATA HIGHLIGHTED THE NATIONAL CONVENING AS A VALUABLE, HIGHLY IMPACTFUL, AND MEANINGFUL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEARNING OPPORTUNITY. PARTICIPANTS DESCRIBED THEIR EXPERIENCE AS EMPOWERING, INSPIRING, AND TRANSFORMATIVE. THEY APPRECIATED THE INCLUSIVE AND SAFE SPACE CREATED FOR GROWTH, NETWORKING, AND COLLABORATION. PARTICIPANTS LAUDED THE QUALITY OF SESSIONS, SPEAKERS, AND RESOURCES, PARTICULARLY THE LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORKS AND ACTIONABLE STRATEGIES.
- $358,220 spent. NATIONAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE:MCEL'S NATIONAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (NLI) IS AN IMMERSIVE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM BUILT AROUND MCEL'S INNOVATIVE "RESILIENT, REPRESENTATIVE LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK," INCLUDING THE 10 ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES FOR LEADERS OF COLOR, AND THE CORE PRINCIPLES OF "QUALITY, QUANTITY, AND CARE." PARTICIPANTS LEARN FROM TOP SYSTEM LEADERS IN THE COUNTRY, MAKING THIS A TRULY DISTINCTIVE EXPERIENCE IN LEADERSHIP CULTIVATION. THE PROGRAM IS IDEAL FOR ESTABLISHED LEADERS SEEKING TO DEEPEN THEIR EXPERTISE AND IMPACT WITHIN THE EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE THROUGH A FOCUSED, SUPPORTIVE, AND TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.IN FY25, MCEL COMPLETED THE SECOND COHORT OF THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AND GRADUATED ALL 17 PARTICIPANTS. MCEL SUCCESSFULLY RECRUITED, SELECTED, AND LAUNCHED THE THIRD COHORT OF ANOTHER 17 PARTICIPANTS. TOGETHER, THE FIRST THREE COHORTS INCLUDE 48 PARTICIPANTS REPRESENTING 28 SCHOOL SYSTEMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE DELIVERS MEASURABLE, TRANSFORMATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR PARTICIPANTS, WHO PRAISED IT FOR ITS IMPACT ON LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND THE FORMATION OF VALUABLE PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS.EVALUATION REPORTS CONDUCTED BY THE CENTER FOR CREATIVE LEADERSHIP - A GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED INDEPENDENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH ORGANIZATION - HIGHLIGHT POWERFUL GROWTH IN BOTH INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP CAPACITY AND PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION AMONG PARTICIPANTS. WHEN MEASURING PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL, A RESEARCH-BACKED FRAMEWORK THAT PROMOTES LEADERS' MOTIVATION, CONFIDENCE, ADAPTABILITY, AND FORWARD-LOOKING MINDSET, 100% OF PARTICIPANTS REPORTED HIGH PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL SCORES AND STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT GROWTH. THE MOST SUBSTANTIAL GAINS WERE IN EFFICACY AND RESILIENCY, TWO KEY DIMENSIONS FOR LEADING IN HIGH-PRESSURE EDUCATIONAL CONTEXTS. THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE DIRECTLY LINKED TO BETTER JOB PERFORMANCE, SATISFACTION, AND ORGANIZATIONAL OUTCOMES, HIGHLIGHTING A COMPELLING RETURN ON INVESTMENT.IN ADDITION, THE SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS INDICATED THAT THE PROGRAM STRENGTHENS PEER SUPPORT STRUCTURES, ENCOURAGES ONGOING KNOWLEDGE SHARING, AND CULTIVATES A COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY THAT EXTENDS WELL BEYOND THE PROGRAM. THE DATA AFFIRMS THAT NLI PARTICIPANTS EMERGE AS MORE RESILIENT, CONFIDENT, AND CONNECTED LEADERS EQUIPPED TO DRIVE EQUITY-FOCUSED CHANGE IN SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS. THESE OUTCOMES TRANSLATE INTO MEANINGFUL SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS AND STRONGER LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR STUDENTS.
- $230,977 spent. PROGRAM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT:MCEL CONSTANTLY INCORPORATES THE LATEST RESEARCH TO ENSURE ALL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES REFLECT EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE. MCEL ATTENDS AND PRESENTS AT NATIONAL CONFERENCES TO SHARE PROMISING PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED. MCEL UTILIZES TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE TO PROVIDE SERVICES DIRECTLY TO PARTICIPANTS AND SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
- $188,224 spent. LEADERS DEVELOPING LEADERS:LEADERS DEVELOPING LEADERS FOCUSES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PRINCIPALS IN DRIVING STUDENT OUTCOMES, EFFECTIVE PRACTICES FOR PRINCIPAL SUPERVISORS, AND STRATEGIES TO ALIGN CENTRAL OFFICES TO DEVELOP AND SUPPORT SCHOOL LEADERS.IN SPRING OF 2025, MCEL'S CO-FOUNDERS PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE - WHO HAS THE PRINCIPAL'S BACK? - TO IDENTIFY HOW CENTRAL OFFICE CAN BETTER SUPPORT PRINCIPALS, THE IMPORTANCE OF A CLEAR LINE OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR STUDENT LEARNING, AND THE PIVOTAL ROLE PLAYED BY PRINCIPAL SUPERVISORS TO BRIDGE CENTRAL OFFICE AND SCHOOLS. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, MCEL FACILITATED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES AND HELPED SCHOOL SYSTEM LEADERS EXPLORE THESE IDEAS, ASSESS CURRENT PRACTICE, AND DETERMINE CONCRETE NEXT STEPS TO IMPROVE.MCEL ENGAGED IN PLANNING TO HOST THE SECOND LEADERS DEVELOPING LEADERS SUMMIT FOCUSED ON STRENGTHENING SYSTEMS FOR PRINCIPAL SUPPORT, DEVELOPMENT, AND SUPERVISION. SINCE THE SUMMIT TOOK PLACE IN JULY 2025, MANY OF THE REVENUES AND EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS SUMMIT WILL BE RECOGNIZED IN FY26, THE FISCAL YEAR DURING WHICH THE SUMMIT WAS HELD.
- $87,267 spent. RESILIENT REPRESENTATIVE LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK:MCEL DISSEMINATED AND SCALED THE "RESILIENT REPRESENTATIVE LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK," FEATURING THE 10 ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES FOR LEADERS OF COLOR. THIS GROUNDBREAKING FRAMEWORK IS POISED TO REVOLUTIONIZE HOW LEADERS OF COLOR NAVIGATE SPACES THAT WERE HISTORICALLY NOT DESIGNED TO FOSTER THEIR SUCCESS.THE TOOLKIT IS A COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTION OF RESOURCES TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL LEADERS AND EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS IN EVALUATING PRACTICES AND CREATING CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO SUCCESS, PARTICULARLY FOR LEADERS OF COLOR. THIS VERSATILE TOOLKIT IS APPLICABLE AT ALL LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP AND INCLUDES:- 10 ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERS OF COLOR OUTLINE THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, MINDSETS, DISPOSITIONS, AND BEHAVIORS MOST CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF DIVERSE LEADERS.- THE GUIDEBOOK CONSOLIDATES ADVICE FOR LEADERS OF COLOR WHO ARE PLANNING THEIR PATHWAYS INTO EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP, REROUTING AROUND A CAREER ROADBLOCK, OR NAVIGATING A DIFFICULT OR UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT IN THEIR LEADERSHIP JOURNEYS. THIS ALSO IS A RESOURCE FOR EQUITY-MINDED ALLIES WHEN THEY NEED ADVICE AND SUPPORT TO BE PART OF THE BIG, BOLD SYSTEMIC SOLUTIONS WE DESPERATELY NEED.- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS THE URGENT NEED, FRAMEWORK, AND TOOLKIT RESOURCES.- CRITICAL BACKGROUND RESEARCH DEMONSTRATES WHY WE NEED A GUIDEBOOK FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERS OF COLOR, THE BARRIERS PREVENTING EDUCATORS OF COLOR FROM ACCESSING LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND STRATEGIES TO ATTRACT AND SUSTAIN EDUCATIONAL LEADERS OF COLOR.- POLICY BRIEF HELPS LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL POLICYMAKERS CONSIDER WAYS TO PROPEL ACTION TO INCREASE THE RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF THE NATION'S SCHOOL AND SYSTEM-LEVEL LEADERS.MCEL NETWORK MEMBERS AND PARTNERS GAIN ACCESS TO A MORE EXPANSIVE SUITE OF RESOURCES THAT FUEL GROWTH-FOCUSED SELF-REFLECTION AS WELL AS TRANSFORMATIONAL SYSTEMIC SUPPORT FOR EDUCATORS OF COLOR AT ALL STAGES OF THEIR CAREERS:- SELF-REFLECTION TOOL ENCOURAGES LEADERS OF COLOR TO CHARGE AND REGULARLY RE-ENERGIZE THEIR LEADERSHIP BY ENGAGING IN PURPOSEFUL SELF-REFLECTION, PRIORITIZING SELF-CARE, AND NURTURING THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT SUSTAIN THEM.- 360 ASSESSMENT TOOL ENABLES LEADERS OF COLOR TO SOLICIT AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM THEIR PEERS, MENTORS, STAFF, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.- TRANSFORMATIONAL CONVERSATIONS TOOL ASSISTS ANYONE TO BE A GREAT CO-PILOT TO LEADERS OF COLOR THEY FORMALLY OR INFORMALLY SUPPORT ALONG THEIR LEADERSHIP JOURNEYS.- SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION TOOL HELPS DISTRICT, CHARTER NETWORK, AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERS CREATE MORE WELCOMING, SUPPORTIVE CONDITIONS FOR EDUCATORS OF COLOR AT ALL STAGES OF THEIR CAREERS.
- $45,312 spent. CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT AND MEMBERSHIP:MCEL CHAPTERS DEEPEN IMPACT AND BUILD LOCAL LEADERSHIP. CHAPTERS EITHER ARE ANCHORED IN A SPECIFIC SCHOOL DISTRICT OR SPAN A BROADER GEOGRAPHICAL AREA. THESE CHAPTERS ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO ALIGN WITH AND SUPPORT THE SPECIFIC WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. FUNCTIONING AS HUBS OF LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT, MCEL CHAPTERS FOSTER CONNECTION, COLLABORATION, AND CAPACITY BUILDING AMONG LOCAL EDUCATIONAL LEADERS. THEY SUPPORT DISTRICT AND REGIONAL EFFORTS TO DIVERSIFY LEADERSHIP PIPELINES AND STRENGTHEN EDUCATOR RETENTION.
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 December 2020.
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.
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