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Asheville-Buncombe Regional Sports Commission Inc

EIN 27-4435988 · Skyland, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The main areas of emphasis for Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission are to attract sports events, generate positive economic development, and provide wellness programs that enhance the quality of life for the residents of Buncombe County.

Income
$849,783
Spending
$838,517
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 55%
Employees
2
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$105,299, 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

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    6 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 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. $667,180 spent. The 7th annual Ingles Great Smokey Mountain Graple did not disappoint as the event saw a record breaking 39 varisty high school wrestling teams ranging from all over Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The 2024 Grapple was extra special given the ongoing recovery and reflief efforts after Hurricane Helene left so much devastation to the Western North Carolina region. Despite all of the challenges from Helene, the event saw 720 athletes showcase their skills at the Harrahs Cherokee Center - Asheville throughout the two-day tournament (December 20-21, 2024).
  2. The Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission in partnership with Harrahs Cherokee Center - Asheville and Explore Asheville had the opportunity to take national center court stage on Sunday, February 2, 2025 with Stars Servin Up Love (SSUL) presented by Explore Asheville. The celebrity tennis benefits for Western North Carolina featured tennis greats Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Jessica Pegula (#9 WTA-ranked player) and Emma Navarro (#6 WTA-ranked player), and celebrities Michael Kosta of Comedy Centrals The Daily Show, Jeff Probst of CBS Survivor, Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, and Esai Morales of Mission:Impossible and Ozark. The event also featured special guest appearances from Tennis Channel fan-favorites Andrew Krasny, Chanda Rubin, and Russ Thaler. The event included a near-capacity crowd with national broadacasting on Tennis Channel with additional regional coverage on My40, a Sinclair Broadcasting affiliate program. . Stars Servin Up Love presented by Explore Asheville generated over $1 million in post-Hurricane Helene ticket sales, sponsorships, donations, and auction sales. One hundred percent of all net proceeds benefited the Always Asheville Fund, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, and Asheville Tennis Association. The event was developed by recent WNC transplant Jim Curley, a 12-year former Tournament Director for the U.S. Open who moved to Asheville in 2022.
  3. The Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission provided full event facilitation, with destination and operational support for the SoCon Basketball Tournament, hosted at Harrahs Cherokee Center - Asheville. Coordination with venue partners and key stakeholders ensured a seamless experience for participants, staff, and visitors throughout tournament week. The tournament relied on more than 150 volunteers, with special recognition given to F.I.R.S.T and ABRSC core volunteer team. The mens championship night brought over 6,000 fans into the arena, delivering a high-energy finale in downtown Asheville. The robust weeklong of community engagement festivities continues to grow with Education Days, Downtown Dribble, which welcomed 950 registered participants, and Hometown Heroes. The event featured appearances by UNC Greensboro and Furman The event featured appearances by UNC Greensboro and Furman Unversity cheer and dance teams, the Greensboro band and mascot.

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 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 October 13, 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 June 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 August 2011.

    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 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.