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Passes our checks

Upstate Circle of Friends

EIN 20-4593516 · Greenville, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS A SOLID COMMITMENT TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES, ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE, AND THE PROGRESSIONS OF AT-RISK CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL, AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 44%
Employees
6
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$168,498, vice preside

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 December 31, 2023, 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. $1.1 million spent. UPSTATE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS PROVIDES A VARIETY OF SERVICES TO HELP AT-RISK YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES. THESE INCLUDE FOOD PROGRAMS OUT OF UCF'S KITCHEN, PROVIDING UP TO TWO HOT MEALS DAILY FOR YOUTH AND SENIOR CITIZENS IN NEED, FUNDED BY USDA PROGRAMS; AT-RISK YOUTH LEADERS-LEARNERS-EARNERS PROGRAMMING THROUGH AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS FUNDED THROUGH DEPT. OF SOCIAL SERVICEES, FOUNDATION GRANTS, AND INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT; VETFORWARD HOUSING PROGRAM PROVIDING QUALITY HOMES FOR QUALIFIED HOMELESS VETERANS THROUGH LOCAL AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS; URBAN FARMING TEACHING GARDEN TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ON THE BENEFITS OF A HOME GARDEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MARANTHA FARMS AND WELLNES WITH USDA FUNDING; AND MORE THROUGH COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER NONPROFITS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on July 15, 2011.

    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 December 2024.

    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 January 2012.

    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.