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Southwestern Community College Foundation Inc

EIN 23-7322352 · Sylva, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Foundation, through its initiatives, partners with Southwestern Community College in its efforts to offer high-quality, innovative instruction and support, which promotes student achievement, academic excellence, and economic development.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$398,831
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
12.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$67,782, executive director

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.2 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 64% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 19 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 (3)
  1. $333,478 spent. Hurricane Helene Relief Effort: Western North Carolina is still rebuilding from the devastation of Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Several SCC students lost family members, possessions, and even their homes during the storm. Despite communication and power outages throughout the region, SCC joined with local communities to raise and distribute over $50,000 to students in need. Many of these students have said that, without these funds, they would not have been able to continue their education.
  2. General Scholarship Support: Southwestern Community College Foundation was established in 1973. It exists solely to support the mission of SCC and is governed by a Board of Directors. The Foundation receives unrestricted gifts through the Southwestern Community College Annual Fund to support students and the mission of the College. In addition, the Foundation solicits contributions from individuals, foundations and companies to establish endowed Named Scholarships, as well as provide Annual Scholarships. For the academic year 2025/2026, 264 student scholarships were awarded at a value of over $418,000, a 58% increase from the previous year. This is the third year in a row that we have broken previous records. Financial gifts to the Foundation allow SCC to maintain a level of excellence beyond that provided by state and local financial support. These gifts help fund many of the essentials
  3. of education and allow SCC to keep pace with the ever-expanding needs of our community. It also enables us to support our faculty and staff in several ways, resulting in teaching and student support excellence. Gala: Since 2014, the annual SCC Boots, Blue Jeans & Bling Gala has raised more than $900,000 for student scholarships. The Gala has become the preeminent fundraising event in our service region. We are thrilled to report that this event has sold out for the past two years. This special evening is held in the Event Center presented by generous benefactor, Harrahs Cherokee Casino Resorts. In 2024, over $164,000 was raised for student scholarships, a 3% increase from the previous year. We are returning to the Event Center for our next Gala, which is scheduled for September 27.

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 February 1976.

    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.