Tess of North Carolina Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PREPARE AND SUPPORT ACADEMICALLY SUCCESSFUL AT-RISK STUDENTS WITH EXTRA ORDINARY CHALLENGES FOR ENTRY INTO HIGHER EDUCATION. TESS SOLICITS DONATIONS FROM CORPORATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS; EXEMPT STATUS ALLOWS DONORS A TAX DEDUCTION FOR THEIR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS. TESS APPLIES FOR GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE GRANTS THAT ARE EARMARKED FOR YOUTH EDUCATION. THESE FUNDS ARE TO BE APPLIED BY TESS TO PREPARE AND SUPPORT AT-RISK STUDENTS FOR ENTRY AND A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN COLLEGE. ALL FUNDS ARE COLLECTED TO OUR PURPOSE. NO FUNDS ARE HELD FOR PRIVATE USE.
- Income
- $54,141
- Spending
- $50,257
- Reserves
- 11.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Highest pay
- $16,797, executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- IN 2024 TESS OFFERED (1) EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT SCHOLARSHIPS TO YOUTH. EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (ESA) SCHOLARSHIPS ARE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1000 OR MORE TO AT-RISK STUDENTS THAT ARE ACADEMICALLY SUCCESSFUL (A OR AB HONOR ROLL WITH A OR B IN EACH SUBJECT) DESPITE EXTRA-ORDINARY ECONOMIC, EMOTIONAL, PERSONAL, OR PHYSICAL CHALLENGES. THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE HELD IN TRUST BY TESS UNTIL GRADUATION FROM HIGH SCHOOL. ONCE THE STUDENT ENTERS AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION, THE SCHOLARSHIP AND INTERST MAY BE APPLIED TO TUITION OR EDUCATION RELATED EXPENSES. (2) BEHAVIOR COUNSELING. TESS STUDENTS THAT EXPERIENCE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS AT HOME OR SCHOOL MAY BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND BEHAVIOR COUNSELING SESSIONS WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, MR. CALHOUN OR MS. FLEMING. AS TESS GROWS, OTHER SERVICES WILL INCLUDE ACADEMIC COUNSELING, BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, LIFE SKILLS AND BUSINESS SKILL DEVELOPMENT/ ENTERPREMEURSHIP.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2008.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.