Nonprofit · EIN 82-4082527
HIGHER ED WORKS
Tax-exempt · RALEIGH, NC 27612
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $2,286,762 | $1,010,316 | $1,276,446 | $2,237,855 | $0 | $2,237,855 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $1,356,925 | $892,678 | $464,247 | $961,409 | $0 | $961,409 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $674,423 | $617,916 | $56,507 | $497,162 | $0 | $497,162 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $2,244,929
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $41,833
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $1,000
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $180,038
- Other salaries and wages
- $180,695
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $404,705
- Professional fundraising fees
- $102,587
- Legal fees
- $53,982
- Accounting fees
- $21,618
- Travel
- $21,101
- Depreciation
- $1,485
- Program services (functional)
- $526,868
- Management and general (functional)
- $252,277
- Fundraising (functional)
- $231,171
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $961,409
- Total assets, end of year
- $2,237,855
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $0
- Net assets, end of year
- $2,237,855
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $5,593
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $2,237,855
- Gross receipts
- $2,286,762
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 0
- Year formed
- 2017
- State of legal domicile
- NC
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 December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Rice | Executive Editor Officer | 40 | $133,207 |
| Shawnice Meador | President/Executive Director Officer | 40 | $46,831 |
| Ray F Peck Jr | Treasurer/Director Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Paul Fulton | Chairman Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| Emma Battle | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Eden Bloss | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Jan R Capps | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Rusty Carter | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Susan Cates | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Melissa Cominole | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Melissa Davis | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Jim Deal | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| William Dudley | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Jennie Hayman | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Melissa Hlavac | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
9 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harold Martin | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| King Prather | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Michael Rogers | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Doug Shackelford | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| John Tate III | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Damon Wade | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| Rob Welch | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| John Wester | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| J Brad Wilson | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 24 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID RICE | Executive Dir. Officer | 40 | $131,435 |
| DEBRA REZELI | Secretary Officer | 36 | $77,202 |
| MELISSA DAVIS | Director Trustee or director | 25 | $61,641 |
| PAUL FULTON | Chairman Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| EMMA BATTLE | CEO & DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 19 | $0 |
| JAN CAPPS | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| EDEN BLOSS | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| RUSTY CARTER | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| KRISTYE K BRACKETT | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| MELISSA COMINOLE | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| JIM DEAL | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| WILLIAM DUDLEY | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| RAY PECK | DIRECT & TREAS Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| KING PRATHER | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| MICHAEL ROGERS | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| ANDREA ROYSTER | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| ELAINE TOWNSEND UTIN | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| DAMON WADE | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| ROBERT WELCH | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| JOHN WESTER | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| DOUG SHACKLEFORD | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| BRAD WILSON | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| JOHN TATE | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| MELISSA HLAVAC | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 26 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID RICE | Executive Dir. Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $143,528 |
| DEBRA REZELI | Secretary Officer | 36 | $97,367 |
| MELISSA DAVIS | Director Trustee or director | 25 | $61,882 |
| PAUL FULTON | Chairman Trustee or director | 5 | $0 |
| EMMA BATTLE | CEO & DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 19 | $0 |
| JAN CAPPS | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| EDEN BLOSS | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| RUSTY CARTER | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| DEAN CASTALDO | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| HEATHER CHANDLER | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| MELISSA COMINOLE | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| JIM DEAL | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| WILLIAM DUDLEY | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| GARY GREEN | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| RAY PECK | DIRECT & TREAS Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| KING PRATHER | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| MICHAEL ROGERS | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| ANDREA ROYSTER | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| ELAINE TOWNSEND UTIN | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| DAMON WADE | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| ROBERT WELCH | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| JOHN WESTER | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| DOUG SHACKLEFORD | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| BRAD WILSON | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| JOHN TATE | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| MELISSA HLAVAC | Director Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 3737 GLENWOOD AVE STE 260, RALEIGH, NC 27612-5515
- In care of
- % DAVID E RICE
- Mailing address (990-N for 2018)
- PO Box 10453, Raleigh NC 27605
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- David Rice, PO Box 12065, Raleigh, NC 27605
- Principal officer (990-N for 2018)
- David Rice, PO Box 10453, Raleigh NC 27605
- Signed the 990
- David Rice, Executive Editor
- Phone
- (919) 782-9322
- Website
- publicedworks.org
- Return prepared by
- Wallace and Nordan LLP
Mission
To encourage citizen support for public education at all levels, emphasizing the link between an educated citizenry and economic prosperity.
Program accomplishments
- Higher Ed Works dba as Public Ed Works continued in 2025 to expand - expand its budget, expand its staff and expand its audience. Thanks to one magnanimous donor in particular but hundreds of other supporters as well, the organization grew its budget to more than $1 million, yet it finished the year with enough funds on hand to support an additional 15 months of operation. The organization grew its followers on social media to more than 200,000, and its website had 116,000 visitors. Through its newsletter, social channels, and advertising that ranged from billboards to digital media, Higher Ed Works dba Public Ed Works reached nearly 8.8 million people with its messaging, versus 5.9 million in 2024, prompting its audience to take more than 16 million actions. In its messaging, the organization focused on: The inability of the NC General Assembly to pass a budget, making North Carolina the only state in the nation that failed to pass a new budget for 2025-26. How a vast NC expansion in taxpayer-funded vouchers for private schools drains budget dollars that otherwise could go to support public schools. No raises for K-12 teachers or other state employees (including community college and university faculty and staff) to keep pace with inflation. The state fell to 46th in average K-12 teacher pay and 50th in funding effort - the percentage of gross domestic product the state devotes to K-12 public education. No increase in enrollment funds for the 17-campus University of North Carolina System - even though, unlike most U.S. universities, the UNC System saw an increase in enrollment in 2024 and 2025. No decision from the NC Supreme Court on the Leandro school-support lawsuit, which had been batted around North Carolina's court system for 31 years since it was first filed in 1994. With its longtime executive director planning to retire in 2026, the organization also hired a new executive director as a successor in the fall of 2025. And it made plans to further expand its messaging in 2026.Expenses $526,868 · grants $1,000 · revenue $2,286,762
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 December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 82-4082527
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2018
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B19)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $2,237,855
- Income (IRS master file)
- $2,286,762
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $2,286,762 | $1,010,316 | $2,237,855 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $1,356,925 | $892,678 | $961,409 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $674,423 | $617,916 | $497,162 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $654,268 | $741,742 | $440,655 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-N for 2018 Officer: David Rice | December 31, 2018 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
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 82-4082527).
Questions about HIGHER ED WORKS
- What is the EIN of HIGHER ED WORKS?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of HIGHER ED WORKS is 82-4082527.
- Is HIGHER ED WORKS tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2018.
- Are donations to HIGHER ED WORKS tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does HIGHER ED WORKS 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 HIGHER ED WORKS due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did HIGHER ED WORKS last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of HIGHER ED WORKS?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names David Rice.
- Who are the officers and directors of HIGHER ED WORKS?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 24 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $133,207 (David Rice, Executive Editor).
- How much revenue does HIGHER ED WORKS have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $2,286,762, expenses of $1,010,316 and total assets of $2,237,855 at year end.
Other nonprofits in RALEIGH
- NC STATE INVESTMENT FUND INC EIN 31-1607634 · last filed 990 for 2025
- NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC EIN 56-6049503 · last filed 990 for 2025
- NORTH CAROLINA PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN INC EIN 56-1850485 · last filed 990 for 2025
- MEREDITH COLLEGE EIN 56-0530242 · last filed 990 for 2025
- THALES ACADEMY EIN 20-8920342 · last filed 990 for 2025
- NC STUDENT AID ASSOCIATION INC EIN 56-0650623 · last filed 990 for 2025
- RAVENSCROFT SCHOOL INC EIN 56-6001583 · last filed 990 for 2025
- NC STATE ENGINEERING FOUNDATION INC EIN 56-6046987 · last filed 990 for 2025