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Mountain Strong-Yancey & Mitchell County Relief Team

EIN 33-1395339 · Burnsville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceFair64 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MOUNTAIN STRONG IS DEDICATED TO REBUILDING COMMUNITIES AND RESTORING HOPE BY PROVIDNING SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS MOST IMPACTED BY HURRICANE HELENE, RANGING FROM FINANCIAL SUPPORT IN THE THREE CATEGORIES LISTED BELOW FOR SECURING SUPPLIES AND CONTRACTORS FOR HOME AND PROPERTY REPAIRS TO RECOVERY PROGRAMS.

Income
$376,280
Spending
$358,228
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
10.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
100

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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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

    0 of 10

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

  • 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 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. $102,377 spent. COMMUNITY FUND - DURING THE CURRENT YEAR WE HAD EVENTS, INCLUDING A HOLIDAY FUND, IN WHICH WE PROVIDED FUNDS FOR MEALS AND GIFTS TO FAMILIES IN NEED DURING THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS. WE ALSO SPONSORED MEALS IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THOSE WHO TEMPORARILY LOST WIC BENEFITS. DURING CHRISTMAS, MOUNTAIN STRONG HOSTED AND HAD VOLUNTEERS STAFF AN EVENT THAT RAISED FUNDS FOR TOYS AND GIFT CARDS DONATED BY LOCAL BUSINESSES. THE EVENT ALSO PROVIDED FOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY. OTHER PROJECTS INCLUDED COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FOR BLUE RIDGE ELEMENTARY TO ENSURE THAT EACH CHILD WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE A BOOK AT THEIR ANNUAL BOOK FAIR; SPONSORSHIP FOR CANE RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR A FIELD TRIP; ASSISTANCE WITH A TRIP FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA; PURCHASE OF YOUTH LEAGUE SPORTS EQUIPMENT THAT HAD BEEN LOST IN HURRICANE HELENE; PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER TO SPONSOR CHILDREN THAT NEEDED TO BE MOVED TO A DIFFERENT HOME BY PROVIDING CLOTHING AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS COMMUNITY FUND - DURING THE CURRENT YEAR WE HAD EVENTS, INCLUDING A HOLIDAY FUND, IN WHICH WE PROVIDED FUNDS FOR MEALS AND GIFTS TO FAMILIES IN NEED DURING THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS. WE ALSO SPONSORED MEALS IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THOSE WHO TEMPORARILY LOST WIC BENEFITS. DURING CHRISTMAS, MOUNTAIN STRONG HOSTED AND HAD VOLUNTEERS STAFF AN EVENT THAT RAISED FUNDS FOR TOYS AND GIFT CARDS DONATED BY LOCAL BUSINESSES. THE EVENT ALSO PROVIDED FOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY. OTHER PROJECTS INCLUDED COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FOR BLUE RIDGE ELEMENTARY TO ENSURE THAT EACH CHILD WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE A BOOK AT THEIR ANNUAL BOOK FAIR; SPONSORSHIP FOR CANE RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR A FIELD TRIP; ASSISTANCE WITH A TRIP FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA; PURCHASE OF YOUTH LEAGUE SPORTS EQUIPMENT THAT HAD BEEN LOST IN HURRICANE HELENE; PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER TO SPONSOR CHILDREN THAT NEEDED TO BE MOVED TO A DIFFERENT HOME BY PROVIDING CLOTHING AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS
  2. $62,863 spent. RECOVERY NETWORK- FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE MOUNTAIN STRONG'S RECOVERY NETWORK PROGRAM WAS INITIALLY ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COVER NECESSARY LIVING EXPENESES, INCLUDING RENT AND UTILITIES. THE PROGRAM ACCEPTED APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE AND NOMINATIONS FROM YANCEY COUNTY AND MITCHELL COUNTY'S DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WITH AN INTEREST IN SOCIAL WELFARE, INCLUDING THE TOE RIVER CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER. IN TOTAL, THE RECOVERY NETWORK- FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GIFTED 62,862.86 TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY HURRICANE HELENE, WHICH DEVASTATED THE AREA IN SEPTEMBER 2024. THE PROGRAM COMPLETED DURING 2025.
  3. $192,988 spent. CONSTRUCTION/PROPERTY ACCESS - MOUNTAIN STRONG SAW THE NEED FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT FUNDING AND PROPERTY ACCESS AFTER HURRICANE HELENE DEVESTATED OUR COUNTIES. INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS AND GRANTS WERE RECEIVED IN ORDER TO COMPLETE CERTAIN PROJECTS. COMPLETED PROJECTS INCLUDED: DRILLING A WELL FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO LOST WATER ACCESS; A NEW HVAC SYSTEM FOR ONE THAT WAS DESTROYED BY THE STORM; PURCHASE OF AN ATV TO ALLOW AN ELDERLY INDIVIDUAL TO ACCESS THEIR PROPERTY AFTER THEIR BRIDGE WASHED AWAY; AND PURCHASE AND UPFIT OF A CAR FOR A HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUAL. THE HURRICANE ALSO SHOWED MOUNTAIN STRONG THE CRITICAL NEED IN THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE HEALTH CARE NEEDS. WE SAW A HUGE NEED GOING FORWARD AND STARTED WORK IN 2025 ON DEVELOPING A FREE CLINIC IN THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE FOR THE UNDERSERVED. INITIAL COSTS INCURRED IN 2025 FOR THIS PROJECT INCLUDE LEASING AND OFFICE, PURCHASE OF A MEDICAL EXAM TABLE, AND FILING FORMS WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA FREE CLINIC ASSOCIATION CONSTRUCTION/PROPERTY ACCESS - MOUNTAIN STRONG SAW THE NEED FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT FUNDING AND PROPERTY ACCESS AFTER HURRICANE HELENE DEVESTATED OUR COUNTIES. INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS AND GRANTS WERE RECEIVED IN ORDER TO COMPLETE CERTAIN PROJECTS. COMPLETED PROJECTS INCLUDED: DRILLING A WELL FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO LOST WATER ACCESS; A NEW HVAC SYSTEM FOR ONE THAT WAS DESTROYED BY THE STORM; PURCHASE OF AN ATV TO ALLOW AN ELDERLY INDIVIDUAL TO ACCESS THEIR PROPERTY AFTER THEIR BRIDGE WASHED AWAY; AND PURCHASE AND UPFIT OF A CAR FOR A HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUAL. THE HURRICANE ALSO SHOWED MOUNTAIN STRONG THE CRITICAL NEED IN THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE HEALTH CARE NEEDS. WE SAW A HUGE NEED GOING FORWARD AND STARTED WORK IN 2025 ON DEVELOPING A FREE CLINIC IN THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE FOR THE UNDERSERVED. INITIAL COSTS INCURRED IN 2025 FOR THIS PROJECT INCLUDE LEASING AND OFFICE, PURCHASE OF A MEDICAL EXAM TABLE, AND FILING FORMS WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA FREE CLINIC ASSOCIATION

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.