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Council on Immigrant Relations

EIN 20-4892858 · Lincolnton, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceFair51 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CIR provides low-cost immigration legal services through DOJ-accredited representatives and recognized immigration clinics, assisting immigrant neighbors with consultations, family-based immigration, asylum, removal defense, humanitarian relief, work authorization, and related immigration matters. CIR also educates and engages immigrant communities, policymakers, churches, and the public regarding legal and policy issues affecting immigrants.

Income
$176,902
Spending
$155,931
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
3
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$28,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $154,113 spent. IR provided low-cost immigration legal services to immigrant individuals and families through DOJ-accredited representatives and trained staff. Services included consultations, family-based immigration filings, asylum and removal defense support, humanitarian immigration relief, work authorization applications, USCIS and EOIR case preparation, client counseling, document review, case communication, and mailing/submission of immigration documents. This program advanced CIR's exempt purpose by helping immigrant community members understand their legal options, pursue available immigration benefits, and navigate complex immigration procedures.
  2. $1,818 spent. CIR provided community education, outreach, and event-based services to assist immigrant individuals and families and to inform the broader community about immigration processes, legal rights, available services, and practical issues affecting immigrant households. These activities helped connect immigrant community members with reliable immigration information, appropriate referrals, and access to CIR's low-cost legal services.
  3. CIR provided translation and document support services to reduce language barriers for immigrant individuals and families. These services helped clients understand, prepare, and submit documents needed for immigration, legal, and administrative matters. This program supported CIR's exempt purpose by helping immigrant clients access accurate information, communicate more effectively, and complete documentation connected to immigration legal services.
  4. CIR provided client support and office services, including document handling, copying, printing, mailing support, records management, and client communication connected to immigration case preparation and service delivery. These activities supported immigrant clients in accessing low-cost legal services and submitting required immigration documentation.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 November 6, 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 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 April 2007.

    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 November 4, 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.