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Lowcountry Orphan Relief

EIN 26-1108081 · Charleston, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 50% 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 PROVIDE BASIC NECESSITIES (SUCH AS CLOTHING, SCHOOL UNIFORMS, SHOES & SOCKS, PAJAMAS, COATS, TOILETRIES, AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES) TO CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$842,023
Spent on programs
50%
Reserves
39.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
25
Volunteers
5,404

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 39.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    50% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • 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 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 (3)
  1. $294,427 spent. CARE KIT PROGRAMTHE CARE KIT PROGRAM IS THE CORNERSTONE OF LOWCOUNTRY ORPHAN RELIEF'S MISSION. EACH KIT CONTAINS TWO WEEKS' WORTH OF CLOTHING, PAJAMAS, UNDERWEAR, SOCKS, SHOES, TOILETRY KITS, BACKPACKS WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES, BOOKS, AND STUFFED ANIMALS. THESE KITS ARE PROVIDED AT NO COST TO CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED, ABANDONED, OR NEGLECTED AND ARE REFERRED BY SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER NONPROFITS. IN 2025, MORE THAN 7,000 CHILDREN ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA RECEIVED CARE KITS.
  2. $109,728 spent. JUST IN CASE CLOSET PROGRAMTHE JUST IN CASE CLOSET PROGRAM PROVIDES ON-SITE ACCESS TO CLOTHING AND HYGIENE ITEMS DIRECTLY WITHIN TITLE 1 SCHOOLS. THESE CLOSETS ALLOW SOCIAL WORKERS, NURSES, TEACHERS, AND COUNSELORS TO RESPOND IMMEDIATELY WHEN A CHILD'S NEEDS ARE IDENTIFIED. WE HAVE JUST IN CASE CLOSETS IN MORE THAN 100 SCHOOLS IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
  3. $7,639 spent. MAKE A CHILD HAPPY DAYMAKE A CHILD HAPPY DAY IS A SPECIAL EVENT DESIGNED TO BRING JOY AND CREATE POSITIVE MEMORIES FOR THE CHILDREN WE SERVE. THIS ANNUAL CELEBRATION FEATURES GAMES, ACTIVITIES, FOOD, AND MUSIC OFFERING CHILDREN A CHANCE TO SIMPLY BE KIDS, SURROUNDED BY CARING VOLUNTEERS AND PEERS.

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 November 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.