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Academic Institute of Central Carolina Inc

EIN 27-4115066 · Charlotte, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceWeak16 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To encourage and provide pre college services to persons who are traditionally under represented in post secondary education in Mecklenburg, Gaston and Union counties in NC. To ensure that income or family education background does not deter there preparation, entry and competition.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
0

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: 54 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% 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

Weak: 16 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 5 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $287,996 spent. Upward Bound East Program at the Academic Institute of Central Carolina provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance and college completion. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in pre-college performance and ultimately in higher education pursuits. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rates at which participants enroll into and graduate from institutions of post-secondary education. Upward Bound supplement the student's high school experience with academic preparation, career exploration, and self-development opportunities.
  2. $287,083 spent. Upward Bound NorthEast strives to provide academic challenges and emotional and social support in order to raise participants' self-concept, enhance their self-development and achieve their full potential. Starting at enrollment, students are encouraged to remain in the program and to achieve success in their academic and personal development throughout their high school careers into college. Students remain in the program from the time of their acceptance starting from 9th grade until their high school graduation. When they leave the program and enroll into college, the staff still continues to track them, and provide coordinating services with other colleges on their behalf.
  3. $268,114 spent. Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) provides academic support and career advisement to first generation adults wanting to pursue or reenter a GED program, Adult High School Equivalency, or college programs. EOC is funded to serve the communities of Mecklenburg, Gaston, and Union counties. The major goal of EOC is to make a positive impact in communities by helping adults become employable through education.
  4. $203,380 spent. Educational Talent Search: ETS is a federally funded program for eligible 6th-12th grade students at no cost. Educational Talent Search provides academic support, career advisement, and financial aid counseling to eligible middle and high school students. ETS also encourages students to successfully complete each grade level, graduate from high school, and enroll into college. Educational Talent Search serves students at 5 CMS middle and 5 high schools.

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 December 2010.

    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.