Ideas to Inspire
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Organize and present TEDxTalks for general public.
- Income
- $55,497
- Spending
- $56,695
- Reserves
- 0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 81%
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
Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
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)
- $54,850 spent. TEDxCharleston was held April 22-23 at the Charleston Music Hall in Charleston, SC. The half-day events consisted of 13 speakers and four performance acts offering talks and enterainment in TED Talk like format. The main event, on April 23, attracted a live audience of about 900 people and an online audience of many thousands who either viewed the event using the available live streaming services, or subsequently watched the videos of talks and performances afterwards on social media (YouTube). A dress rehearsal event the day before (April 22) attracted an audience of about 500 local high school and college students who were offered a free sneak preview of the event. The event is predominently supported financially by proceeds from ticket sales, with some additional funding received through sponsorships and donations. Major costs and expenses include the venue rental and staffing, production equipment and resources, marketing and promotion, and miscellaneous costs related to logistics and event preparation (including a 3-month coaching progam for all speakers). Other than some contracted services for production and event support, all TEDxCharleston team members are volunteers. The event is in its 13th year and has become an annaul tradition that has a loyal and enthusiastic following.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2017.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.