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Passes our checks

Changed Choices

EIN 20-1714187 · Charlotte, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE COUNSELING, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, BASIC PHYSICAL NEEDS, TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE, AND FAMILY SUPPORT TO ASSURE REHABILITATION AND POST-RELEASE TRANSITION OF INCARCERATED WOMEN WHO HAVE COMMITTED TO MAKING POSITIVE, PRODUCTIVE CHANGES IN THEIR LIVES.

Income
$582,287
Spending
$577,630
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
10
Volunteers
175
Highest pay
$92,595, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 171% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 June 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 (2)
  1. $387,772 spent. PRE RELEASE:For entry into the Organization's wraparound, holistic Pre-Release program, a woman must anticipate settling in Mecklenburg County, NC or the surrounding area upon her release, demonstrate a genuine desire to change, and havea minimum of two years remaining on her sentence. Throughout her time as a Pre-Release client, she works closely with the Programs Team and her Change Coach (case manager) to create a Vision Plan, with goals and action steps as well as work through a 10 module Curriculum, which help a woman focus on personal growth: mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually to help prepare her for Re-Entry into the community. Each woman is also served spiritually and encouraged by at least two dedicated volunteers. While a woman is incarcerated, her family qualifies to receive support services such as Christmas gifts as well as referrals for food, furnitureand other servicesfrom partnering agencies. As a woman enters her last year prior to release, the Organization works with her to provide guidance and education on housing, finances, job readiness, identification recovery as well as peer mentoring. The Coach ensures a written Vision Plan for Re-Entry is in place, and provides a church and Bible study. The Organization serves 40-45 Pre- Release women each year.RE-ENTRY:As a woman is released from prison, if she has opted into the Organization's Re-Entry program, she is provided holistic programs and services as she re-enters Charlotte or the surrounding community. In addition to the Re-Entry Vision Plan, with goals and a plan of action, the client is provided case management, professional counseling, Re-Entry coaching, transportation, family support, housing (upon qualification) and peer mentoring as well as referrals to partnering agencies. The objective for each woman is a transformed life marked by spiritual growth, healthy decisions, self-sufficiency, and contribution to her community. If she does not opt into the Organization's Re-Entry program, she is still eligible to receive referrals to partnering agencies.Following approximately 2 years in the Re-Entry Program, the clients become Legacy Clients who continue to be supported by referrals to partnering agencies and invitations to all Changed Choices events.The Organization serves approximately12 Re-Entry clients and 25-35 children/youth each year.
  2. $12,281 spent. MCSO: The organization serves women incarcerated in the Mecklenburg County Detention Center with classes using evidence based curriculum with topics including self-control, responsible thinking, social values and others.One on One mentoring, through the COOOL program (Changing Our Outlook On Life) is also offered each week.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.