Power of the Dream Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our Mission is to Create Jobs and Advocate for Adults with Autism IDD in the North Carolina Triangle area.
- Income
- $540,975
- Spending
- $475,432
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 13.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 98%
- Employees
- 23
- Volunteers
- 18
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs.
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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $475,432 spent. We encourage traditional employment through our network with area businesses interested in hiring the population we serve and through our unique thrift store HANDmeUPs which was created solely for the purpose of providing employment opportunities to individuals with autism and or other intellectual developmental disabilities IDD. Our employees gain authentic on the job experience acquire valuable transferable skills and several also gain assistant managerial skills and provide peer mentoring on the job. We operate HANDmeUPs Thrift store as an employer of our population to serve as an inspiration to others interested in starting a small business to increase jobs in the community for our population.
- EngageNCs Mission is to create jobs for adults with Autism IDD in the NC Triangle through community-focused employment innovations. EngageNC formerly The Power of the Dream was founded in 2008 by a group of self-advocates and families in order to assist others in better understanding micro-enterprise and asset building. As the organization connected with more individuals it was clear that many job seekers with Autism IDD faced significant barriers to employment. In 2013 EngageNC opened HANDmeUPs Thrift to provide direct employment opportunities and to demonstrate the value of employing adults with Autism IDD. Over the years EngageNC has continued to provide advice and resources to micro-entrepreneurs and businesses who are intentional about hiring adults with Autism IDD. Having a lasting and meaningful impact on these individuals lives is at the heart of EngageNCs business model. We place equal importance on creating jobs for our client population and assuring financial returns so the funds can be recirculated to create even more jobs.
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
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 November 6, 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 2025.
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 July 2009.
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 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.