Esteamed Coffee Inc

What it reported doing in 2025

Workforce development program: according to the us department of labor, the labor force participation rate for individuals ages 16-64 with a disability was 41%, compared with a rate of 77.9% for those without a disability (april 2025). Currently, we have 13 adults with disabilities employed at esteamed coffee. Our managers work closely with the staff to develop their job skills and social abilities with the intent of increasing their confidence and growing their ability to join the mainstream workforce. Expenses related to this program are all general operating expenses of the cafe (cost of goods, merchandise, payroll, equipment, etc.). Local art program: each quarter, we partner with 4-6 local artists with disabilities and provide a platform for them to sell their work in the shop for commission. Most recently we have also begun hosting inclusive art markets that see up to 12 vendors with disabilities selling their work to the general public outside our store in downtown cary. Expenses related to this program include commissions to each artist every month and labor costs for the market (typically grant funded). Volunteer program: our volunteer program gives adults with disabilities the chance to develop their own skills while providing a sense of accomplishment. For example, they practice social skills through greeting customers and workplace skills through maintaining the cleanliness of the caf floor alongside neurotypical volunteer guides. We also engage community volunteers in cary through opportunities to be a social event aide or serve on a committee (for example, our merchandise committee, local art committee, or gala committee). Expenses related to this program include volunteer appreciation. Social events program: up to four times a month, esteamed coffee hosts public events in cary for adults with disabilities. These events include game nights, karaoke parties, art classes, and more. The majority of events are grant funded, but we charge guests for those that are not. Expenses related to this program include paid time for cafe staff, one drink for each guest, and equipment such as art supplies, games, etc. Esteamers program: in the esteamers program, our staff with disabilities create inspirational designs that we feature on merchandise in the store, the full proceeds of which go back to the staff twice a year in the form of bonuses. The purpose of this program is to increase the economic opportunity for our staff in a sustainable way. Expenses related to this program include the cost of goods for merchandise and the bonus payouts to our staff. Full steam ahead (new in 2025): esteamed coffee is committed to empowering adults with intellectual, developmental, communication and/or visual disabilities by providing financial assistance for education, vocational training, or entrepreneurial endeavors. This 1000 scholarship aims to support individuals in achieving their professional and personal goals. Funds may be used for tuition, training fees, business startup costs, or other approved expenses. This year, we awarded our first full steam ahead scholarship to jason clinard roth, a student headed to unc school of the arts who aims to amplify autistic voices in film. This award will support his dream of creating inclusive cinema that reflects his experiences and empowers autistic filmmakers. Expenses related to this program are the scholarship funds and staff time to interview, select, and hold check-ins with the recipient. Training grounds program (new in 2025): the training grounds program is a new initiative designed to support adults with disabilities in transitioning from employment at our nonprofit cafe to positions in inclusive, mainstream workplaces. Each six-month cohort will include 13 cafe team members who receive personalized, skills-based training in preparation for job placement with carefully selected and supported partner employers. Throughout the program, our management team will work closely with both the

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 72.3%; rating input score 72
• Fundraising efficiency: $8.49 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 33; 33rd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 4 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 14.2%; rating input score 63; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.37; rating input score 49; 49th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.07; rating input score 24; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 19.6%; rating input score 19; 19th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 20.2% per year; rating input score 100; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 20% per year; rating input score 100; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 19.5% per year; rating input score 100; 82nd percentile among comparable filings