African Career Education & Resources In

What it reported doing in 2024

See schedule o.community and economic development - from ethnic foods to professional services, bipoc- and immigrant-owned small and micro-businesses are the economic backbone of our communities in the northwest suburbs - and the region. In 2024, we continued our work providing technical assistance to small businesses and support for cooperatives-while also launching new trainings for entrepreneurs.at acer, we connect business owners to experts, at no cost to them, to support and coach them through a wide range of services and, in 2024, we provided services to 146 businesses. In addition, the technical assistance program connected business owners to over $700,000 in capital. We also engaged in workforce development, providing 227 certified nursing assistant training scholarships and supporting eight students at brooklyn center community schools with youth entrepreneurship classes.acer's business opportunity hub launched two distinctive programs in 2024 to empower entrepreneurs with the necessary skills, insights, and tools to transform their ideas into actionable business ventures. Nearly 30 aspiring and current business owners participated in the acer bootcamp and acer core programs, which fostered a collaborative environment for participants to strategize, problem-solve, and apply business basics effectively.social justice: housing justice - at acer, we believe that safe, stable, and dignified housing is a fundamental human need - and a basic human right that has been denied to many bipoc families and members of the african diaspora in the northwest suburbs. We work directly alongside renters and partner with fellow housing justice advocates to hold landlords accountable and advance policies that increase tenant power.in 2024, we supported the powerful residents at sander point in addressing concerns with their housing. Along with their tenant council president, acer co-facilitated sessions to share knowledge on organizing, letter campaigning, power mapping and more. We also secured a major win at the state legislature, working with the equity in place coalition to pass a statewide tenants right to organize that will provide guarantees to tenants to come together, raise their concerns, and defend their right to dignifies, well-maintained housing without facing retaliation and displacement.social justice: civil engagement - at acer, we elevate the voices of our community members and build bridges between residents and decision-makers so that our knowledge and expertise drives the policies that shape our communities. From going to the ballot box to being engaged in local infrastructure projects, we encourage bipoc residents and members of the african diaspora to participate at the local, state, and federal levels.in 2024, we continued to bring community members together through engaging and educational events, like the shingle creek fair. But we were also tirelessly focused on ensuring that our community is informed about their voting rights, and empowered to make their voices heard at the polls. The critical support and community leadership of 15 voter engagement ambassadors contributed to the 980 hours acer dedicated to knocking more then 3,155 doors, making more than 22,000 phone calls and following 726 individuals through their voting journey.social justice: health equity - at acer, our primary focus is to organize our community to advocate for addressing social determinants of health and reduce health disparities in our community. Through partnerships and engagement with community members, our team aims to address the issues that cause detrimental health outcomes for bip0c communities in the northwest suburbs.in 2024, while much of the attention was directed towards helping the community manage the effects of c0vid-19 on their social and environmental health, acer remained committed to supporting vaccination and testing initiatives. Acer worked alongside community partners such as capi USA and the cities of brooklyn park

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 72.2%; rating input score 72
• Program expense ratio: 92.6%; rating input score 93
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 22%; rating input score 79; 79th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.29; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.14; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6.8%; rating input score 43; 43rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 29.6% per year; rating input score 100; 92nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 22.7% per year; rating input score 100; 90th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 30% per year; rating input score 100; 93rd percentile among comparable filings