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Cherokee Focus Inc

EIN 45-0466319 · Holly Springs, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CHEROKEE FOCUS IS A 501(C)(3) COLLABORATIVE WHOSE MISSION IS STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, YOUTH, AND INDIVIDUALS THROUGH COLLABORATION OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES, SKILLS, AND EXPERTISE BY REDUCING AND PREVENTING YOUTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE, ENHANCING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND IMPROVING HOUSING ALTERNATIVES FOR A STRONGER CHEROKEE COUNTY.

Income
$309,077
Spending
$308,902
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 97%
Employees
7
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$105,052, ceo and ex drector

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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 91% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 74 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    33 of 33 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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.

  • 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. $100,630 spent. CHEROKEE YOUTH WORKS (CYW) IS A WORK SOURCE GEORGIA WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA) YOUTH PROGRAM. DESIGNED FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH AGES 16-24, THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ASSIST YOUTH IN SECURING THE TOOLS NECESSARY FOR OBTAINING GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AT A LIVABLE WAGE IN A DESIRED CAREER. AN ADDITIONAL GOAL IS TO SUPPORT EACH PARTICIPANT IN BECOMING PRODUCTIVE, SELF-SUFFICIENT CITIZENS WHO MAKE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR COMMUNITY. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PERSONALIZED PLAN THAT FOCUSES ON EQUIPPING EACH PARTICIPANT WITH THE EDUCATION, WORK-READINESS, AND LIFE SKILLS NECESSARY TO SUCCEED. THE PROGRAM IS PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE TO WIOA-ELIGIBLE YOUTH AND INCLUDES GED CLASSES, HELP WITH COLLEGE ENROLLMENT, RESUME ASSISTANCE, PAID AND UNPAID WORK EXPERIENCES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL EMPLOYERS, TECHNICAL CERTIFICATIONS, AND GENERAL SUPPORT SERVICES. THESE SUPPORT SERVICES MIGHT INCLUDE THE PURCHASE OF REQUIRED WORK UNIFORMS AND TOOLS, TRANSPORTATION PROVISIONS, AND TEMPORARY HOUSING ASSISTANCE THROUGH LOCAL NON-PROFITS AND FAITH-BASED PARTNERS. ON-GOING AND COMPASSIONATE ADULT MENTORING IS A HALLMARK OF THE PROGRAM WHICH INCLUDES FOLLOW-UP SERVICES FOR 12 MONTHS AFTER COMPLETION OF THE CYW PROGRAM AND ACHIEVEMENT OF ESTABLISHED GOALS.
  2. $135,418 spent. SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE DRUG FREE CHEROKEE INITIATIVE IN 2004, CHEROKEE FOCUS HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER CONCERNED CITIZENS, LOCAL BUSINESSES, YOUTH, PARENTS, HEALTH AGENCIES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FAITH COMMUNITY, YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS, CIVIC CLUBS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS. THESE COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES WORK TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY COALITION TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PREVENTION PLAN TO PREVENT DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE AMONG YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY. DRUG FREE CHEROKEE MODELS THEIR EFFORTS AFTER THE STRATEGIC PREVENTION FRAMEWORK MODEL TO REDUCE UNDERAGE USE OR MISUSE OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, VAPES, MARIJUANA, PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS, AND OTHER LETHAL SUBSTANCES SUCH AS METH, HEROIN AND FENTANYL. PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOLLOW CADCA'S SEVEN STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY CHANGE. THESE STRATEGIES INCLUDE PROVIDING INFORMATION, PROVIDING SUPPORT, ENHANCING ACCESS AND REDUCING BARRIERS, CHANGING CONSEQUENCES, PHYSICAL DESIGN, AND MODIFYING OR CHANGING POLICY. THE VISION OF DRUG FREE CHEROKEE IS A UNITED CHEROKEE COUNTY THAT IS HEALTHY, SAFE, AND DRUG FREE. THE COALITION CONTINUED TO PARTNER WITH THE COUNTY'S ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL ACE ACADEMY IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF THEIR REDEMPTION PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM IS FOR YOUTH EXPELLED FROM THEIR SCHOOL FOR SUBSTANCE USE OFFENSES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES THE YOUTH WITH GROUP COUNSELING, GROUP VOLUNTEERING TRIPS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN THEIR WAY BACK TO THEIR HOME SCHOOL. THE CHEROKEE COUNTY YOUTH COUNCIL, AN INITIATIVE OF DRUG FREE CHEROKEE IS A YOUTH ACTION TEAM COMPRISED OF 8TH TO 12TH GRADERS IN CHEROKEE COUNTY. YOUTH COUNCIL MEMBERS UNITE TO ADDRESS YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE IN CHEROKEE COUNTY AND ACT AS ADVISORS TO THE DRUG FREE CHEROKEE COALITION. THIS YEARS' YOUTH COUNCIL REPRESENTED CHEROKEE COUNTY AT THE 2025 GEORGIA TEEN INSTITUTE.
  3. $28,701 spent. CHEROKEE FOCUS IS AN UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION GROUNDED AND FOCUSED ON THE POWER OF PEOPLE BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS THAT DEVELOP INTO POSSIBILITIES FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY. THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING AND JOINT COLLABORATION, INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS COME TOGETHER TO ADDRESS GAPS IN SERVICES, RESOURCES AVAILABLE,AND ISSUES COMMON TO OUR DESIRE FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY. THE STRENGTH OF THIS COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP RESIDES IN COOPERATION BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS, AGENCIES, CIVIC CLUBS, THE FAITH BASED COMMUNITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATION, FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS. CHEROKEE FOCUS ENCOURAGES AND MODELS INTERAGENCY COMMUNICATION, PARTNERSHIP AND RESOURCE SHARING;THEREBY CREATING A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF SERVICES DELIVERY. CHEROKEE FOCUS PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR LEVERAGING RESOURCES, SKILLS, EXPERTISE AND FUNDING TO CREATE, DEVELOP AND SUSTAIN PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES THAT WILL SUPPORT THE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN OF CHEROKEE COUNTY THROUGH A MEANS THAT COULD NOT BE ACCOMPLISHED BY ONE AGENCY OR INDIVIDUAL ALONE. IN 2025, THE COLLABORATIVE HOSTED THE ANNUAL 'STATE OF THE COUNTY, CHILD AND FAMILY WELLBEING" EVENT WHICH HAS BECOME A COLLABORATIVE SIGNATURE EVENT. THE CHEROKEE FOCUS COLLABORATIVE BODY MET MONTHLY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF JANUARY AND JULY.

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 January 2006.

    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.