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Dawson Community Empowerment Center Inc

EIN 20-8475818 · Saint Marys, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceFair55 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 48% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH EDUCATION, FINANCIAL LITERACY, SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS, ADVOCACY, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO INCREASE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.

Income
$372,985
Spending
$343,573
Spent on programs
48%
Reserves
33.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$19,000, president

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 33.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 69% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    48% 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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

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

  • 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 (1)
  1. $164,992 spent. DAWSON COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT CENTER, INC. CONTINUED ITS MISSION OF EMPOWERING UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH EDUCATIONAL, COMMUNITY, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES DURING 2025. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED COMMUNITY OUTREACH, EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS, YOUTH AND FAMILY SUPPORT INITIATIVES, EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, AND EFFORTS TO PROMOTE FINANCIAL AWARENESS AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO COLLABORATED WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, VOLUNTEERS, AND LOCAL LEADERS TO IDENTIFY NEEDS AND PROVIDE RESOURCES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO ADVANCE ITS CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES BY PROVIDING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AIMED AT STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2011 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 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 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 2014.

    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.