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Charleston Main Streets Inc

EIN 45-2041887 · Charleston, WV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CHARLESTON URBAN WORKS WILL GROW VIBRANT COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS, SERVING AS THE MAIN VESSEL THROUGH THE CITY'S URBAN CORE, THAT FOSTERS AN ENVIRONMENT FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND THE STRONGEST BUSINESS DISTRICTS IN WEST VIRGINIA. CHARLESTON URBAN WORKS WILL ENHANCE OUR PUBLIC SPACES, NUTURE OUR COMMUNITIES AND CELEBRATE A DESTINATION AND ITS PEOPLE. THROUGH COLLABORATION, INNOVATION AND BOLD IDEAS CUW WILL REDEFINE THE URBAN APPALACHIAN EXPERIENCE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE CHOSE CHARLESTON - AS RESIDENTS, BUSINESS OWNERS AND VISITORS.

Income
$250,515
Spending
$219,905
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 54%
Employees
2
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$80,500, 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

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 87% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 21 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

    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. $34,582 spent. FOAM AT THE DOME IS LIVE MUSIC, ARTISIAN, CRAFT BEER, AND SMALL BUSINESS SHOWCASE EVENT THAT DRAW A COLLECTIVE 5,000+ PEOPLE TO THE EAST END.
  2. $45,341 spent. OKTOBERWEST IS LIVE MUSIC, ARTISIAN, CRAFT BEER, AND SMALL BUSINESS SHOWCASE EVENT THAT DRAW A COLLECTIVE 5,000+PEOPLE TO THE WEST SIDE.
  3. $7,242 spent. EAST END PUB CRAWL IS A BUSINESS DISTRICT CELEBRATION.

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.