Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Charlotte Hornets Foundation Inc

EIN 20-0946449 · Charlotte, NC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceFair60 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THROUGH THE INVESTMENT OF TIME, TALENTS, AND TREASURE, THE CHARLOTTE HORNETS FOUNDATION WILL SUPPORT, PROMOTE, AND ENHANCE IMPORTANT COMMUNITY EFFORTS THAT ENRICH THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE IN NEED, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN AND YOUTH (CONTINUED IN SCH O)IN THE CHARLOTTE AREA. THE FOUNDATION WILL SUPPORT ELIGIBLE 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATIONS THAT DELIVER PROGRAMS THAT IMPACT LITERACY AND EDUCATION, THE MILITARY, FITNESS AND WELLNESS, AND HUNGER, AND RUN PROGRAMS THAT HAVE THE SAME AIM.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
5.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$212,226, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 133% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (1)
  1. $1.7 million spent. GENERALLY, THE FOUNDATION USED ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PLAYERS, COACHES, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE CHARLOTTE HORNETS NBA TEAM AS A PLATFORM TO RAISE FUNDS AND DRIVE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION, HEALTH AND FITNESS, MILITARY CARE AND HUNGER. GRANTMAKINGGRANTMAKING WAS THE FOUNDATION'S WAY OF DEMONSTRATING AND DISPLAYING THE FOUNDATION'S COMMITMENT TO THE PRIORITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNITY IT SERVES. THE FOUNDATION USES ITS COMMUNITY CONTACTS TO IDENTIFY PROGRAMS THAT HAVE THE LARGEST IMPACT TO THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION. GRANTS TO THE FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS, THE MILITARY'S INDEPENDENCE FUND, THE ANGELS AND SPARROWS' (CONTINUED IN SCH O)FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, THE NEST ACADEMY, AND THE YMCA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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 October 13, 2026.

  2. 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 October 13, 2026.

  3. 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.