Nonprofit · EIN 53-0115490
DISTANCE EDUCATION & TRAINING COUNCIL
Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20036
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | 990 | $4,086,217 | $3,774,411 | $311,806 | $8,038,785 | $3,866,660 | $4,172,125 |
| March 31, 2025 | 990 | $4,660,836 | $3,788,826 | $872,010 | $7,280,391 | $3,802,396 | $3,477,995 |
| March 31, 2024 | 990 | $3,363,294 | $3,523,200 | -$159,906 | $4,947,714 | $1,810,631 | $3,137,083 |
| March 31, 2023 | 990 | $3,267,351 | $3,448,617 | -$181,266 | $4,636,940 | $1,603,608 | $3,033,332 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended March 31, 2026
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $65,133
- of which government grants
- $65,133
- Program service revenue
- $3,890,281
- Investment income
- $122,599
- Net rental income
- $8,204
- Net gain from sales of assets
- -$21,094
- Other revenue
- $8,204
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $733,272
- Other salaries and wages
- $508,270
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,503,690
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $151,607
- Accounting fees
- $78,621
- Occupancy
- $177,638
- Travel
- $490,044
- Depreciation
- $52,385
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $7,280,391
- Total assets, end of year
- $8,038,785
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $3,866,660
- Net assets, end of year
- $4,172,125
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $329,136
- Publicly traded securities
- $3,633,207
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $4,172,125
- Gross receipts
- $4,107,311
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 9
- Year formed
- 1926
- State of legal domicile
- DC
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended March 31, 2026, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEAH MATTHEWS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 37.5 | $358,545 | $81,249 |
| NAN RIDGEWAY | DIRECTOR OF ACCREDITATION Key employee | 37.5 | $197,902 | $50,365 |
| LISSETTE HUBBARD | MGR. OF INST. DEV. & ASSESSMENT Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $116,980 | $31,864 |
| LESLIE UROFSKY | ACADEMIC REVIEW SPECIALIST Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $104,915 | $42,246 |
| MARCIA DITMYER | CHAIR/PUBLIC COMM'R (SEE SCH O) Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $7,000 | $0 |
| MICHAEL MYK GARN | PUBLIC COMMISSIONER (SEE SCH O) Trustee or director | 4 | $5,000 | $0 |
| EBONY LAWRENCE | PUBLIC COMMISSIONER (SEE SCH O) Trustee or director | 4 | $5,000 | $0 |
| ROBERT ALLISON | TREASURER/PUBLIC COMM'R (SEE SCH O) Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $4,000 | $0 |
| KEVIN RUTH | PUBLIC COMMISSIONER (SEE SCH O) Trustee or director | 4 | $3,500 | $0 |
| PETER SMITH | PUBLIC COMMISSIONER (SEE SCH O) Trustee or director | 4 | $3,000 | $0 |
| AMANDA HARRISON | VICE CHAIR/INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT FRANKEL | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSANNE THOMPSON | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER (TO 11/25) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACEY ABELL | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER (TO 05/25) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSICA PARK | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
4 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEPHEN HAAS | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER (TO 05/25) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| TIM HARRINGTON | INSTITUTION COMM'R (FROM 09/25) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| MICHAEL MOORE | INSTITUTION COMM'R (FROM 09/25) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| JANET QUINTERA | INSTITUTION COMMISSION (FROM 12/25) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
990 for the year ended March 31, 2025: 14 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEAH MATTHEWS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 37.5 | $345,778 | $64,318 |
| NAN RIDGEWAY | DIRECTOR OF ACCREDITATION Key employee | 37.5 | $195,349 | $40,539 |
| LISSETTE HUBBARD | MGR. OF INST. DEV. & ASSESSMENT Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $107,601 | $26,264 |
| MARCIA DITMYER | CHAIR & PUBLIC COMMISSIONER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $6,000 | $0 |
| ROBERT ALLISON | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $5,000 | $0 |
| MICHAEL MYK GARN | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $3,500 | $0 |
| PETER SMITH | PUBLIC COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $3,000 | $0 |
| EBONY LAWRENCE | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $2,000 | $0 |
| KEVIN RUTH | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $1,500 | $0 |
| AMANDA HARRISON | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT FRANKEL | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN HAAS | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSANNE THOMPSON | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACEY ABELL | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended March 31, 2024: 13 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEAH MATTHEWS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 37.5 | $332,395 | $66,168 |
| NAN RIDGEWAY | DIRECTOR OF ACCREDITATION Key employee | 37.5 | $182,516 | $39,968 |
| ROBERT CHALIFOUX | DIRECTOR OF MEDIA AND EVENTS Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $119,178 | $27,278 |
| WANDA NITSCH | CHAIR & PUBLIC COMMISSIONER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $6,500 | $0 |
| MARCIA DITMYER | PUBLIC COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $4,000 | $0 |
| MICHAEL HARTER | TREASURER & PUBLIC COMMISSIONER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $3,000 | $0 |
| ROBERT ALLISON | PUBLIC COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $3,000 | $0 |
| PETER SMITH | PUBLIC COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $1,500 | $0 |
| TRACI LEE | VICE CHAIR & INSTITUTION REP. Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN HAAS | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACEY ABELL | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| AMANDA HARRISON | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT FRANKEL | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended March 31, 2023: 14 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEAH MATTHEWS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 37.5 | $322,777 | $61,516 |
| NAN RIDGEWAY | DIRECTOR OF ACCREDITATION Key employee | 37.5 | $173,285 | $47,698 |
| ROB CHALIFOUX | DIRECTOR OF MEDIA AND EVENTS Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $114,186 | $80,308 |
| KIMBERLY COOK | MANAGER OF INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $124,317 | $28,264 |
| MICHAEL HARTER | TREASURER & PUBLIC COMMISSIONER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $3,000 | $0 |
| MARCIA DITMYER | PUBLIC COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $2,600 | $0 |
| WANDA NITSCH | CHAIR & PUBLIC COMMISSIONER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACI LEE | VICE CHAIR & PUBLIC COMMISSIONER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT ALLISON | PUBLIC COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| PETER SMITH | PUBLIC COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN HAAS | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACEY ABELL | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| AMANDA HARRISON | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT FRANKEL | INSTITUTION COMMISSIONER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1101 17TH ST NW STE 808, WASHINGTON, DC 20036-4718
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- LEAH MATTHEWS, 1101 17TH STREET NW 808, WASHINGTON, DC 20036
- Signed the 990
- LEAH MATTHEWS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (202) 234-5100
- Website
- WWW.DEAC.ORG
- Return prepared by
- GELMAN ROSENBERG & FREEDMAN
Mission
THE DETC IS A VOLUNTARY, NON-GOVERNMENTAL, EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT DOES BUSINESS AS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ACCREDITING ASSOCIATION, THE DISTANCE EDUCATION ACCREDITING COMMISSION. THE DISTANCE EDUCATION ACCREDITING COMMISSION DEFINES, MAINTAINS, (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)AND PROMOTES EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN DISTANCE EDUCATION. THE COMMISSION FOSTERS QUALITY ASSURANCE, PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE STUDENTS AND INSTITUTIONAL SELF-IMPROVEMENT THROUGH VOLUNTARY ACCREDITATION VIA PEER EVALUATION. DETC ACCREDITATION AIMS TO INSTILL PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN DETC INSTITUTIONS' MISSIONS, GOALS, PERFORMANCES AND RESOURCES THROUGH A RIGOROUS AND FAIR APPLICATION AND PEER-DEVELOPED ACCREDITATION STANDARDS.
Program accomplishments
- DISTANCE EDUCATION & TRAINING COUNCIL HAS BEEN THE STANDARD-SETTING AGENCY FOR CORRESPONDENCE STUDY AND DISTANCE EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS SINCE IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1926. ITS PURPOSE WAS, AND STILL IS TODAY, "TO FOSTER AND PRESERVE HIGH QUALITY, EDUCATIONALLY SOUND AND WIDELY ACCEPTED DISTANCE EDUCATION AND INDEPENDENT LEARNING INSTITUTIONS."THE DISTANCE EDUCATION ACCREDITING COMMISSION PROVIDES INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITING FUNCTIONS. ACCREDITED MEMBER INSTITUTIONS OFFER MORE THAN 500 DIFFERENT ACADEMIC, VOCATIONAL, AND AVOCATIONAL COURSES BY ONLINE LEARNING OR BY MAIL.MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES WERE HELD TO PROVIDE (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) INFORMATION AND CONSULTING REGARDING ACCREDITATION AND COMPLIANCE. SPONSORSHIPS OF MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES SERVED AS PRIMARY FORUM FOR ACCREDITATION AND QUALITY INVOLVING THE ACADEMIC AND ACCREDITATION COMMUNITIES.THE DETC CONDUCTS A CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR DISTANCE STUDY EDUCATORS. WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES DEVOTED TO DISTANCE EDUCATION ARE HELD EACH YEAR AND ARE OPEN TO ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH AN INTEREST IN DISTANCE EDUCATION.
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in March, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 31, 2026 | August 17, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | March 31, 2025 | August 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | March 31, 2024 | August 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 53-0115490
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(6): Business league or chamber of commerce
- Donations deductible
- No
- Exempt since
- 1944
- Accounting year ends
- March
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $8,038,785
- Income (IRS master file)
- $4,107,311
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | March 2026 | $4,086,217 | $3,774,411 | $8,038,785 | XML |
| 990 | March 2025 | $4,660,836 | $3,788,826 | $7,280,391 | XML |
| 990 | March 2024 | $3,363,294 | $3,523,200 | $4,947,714 | XML |
| 990 | March 2023 | $3,267,351 | $3,448,617 | $4,636,940 | XML |
| 990 | March 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | March 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | March 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | March 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 53-0115490).
Questions about DISTANCE EDUCATION & TRAINING COUNCIL
- What is the EIN of DISTANCE EDUCATION & TRAINING COUNCIL?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of DISTANCE EDUCATION & TRAINING COUNCIL is 53-0115490.
- Is DISTANCE EDUCATION & TRAINING COUNCIL tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(6) since 1944.
- Are donations to DISTANCE EDUCATION & TRAINING COUNCIL tax-deductible?
- No. The IRS master file says contributions to it are not deductible.
- Which annual return does DISTANCE EDUCATION & TRAINING COUNCIL file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of DISTANCE EDUCATION & TRAINING COUNCIL due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending March 31, 2027) is due August 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did DISTANCE EDUCATION & TRAINING COUNCIL last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended March 2026.
- Who is the principal officer of DISTANCE EDUCATION & TRAINING COUNCIL?
- The 990 for the year ended March 31, 2026 names LEAH MATTHEWS.
- Who are the officers and directors of DISTANCE EDUCATION & TRAINING COUNCIL?
- The 990 for the year ended March 31, 2026 lists 19 people; 10 received compensation from the organization, the highest $358,545 (LEAH MATTHEWS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does DISTANCE EDUCATION & TRAINING COUNCIL have?
- On its 990 for the year ended March 31, 2026 it reported revenue of $4,086,217, expenses of $3,774,411 and total assets of $8,038,785 at year end.
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