First in Families of North Carolina
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
First In Families of North Carolina (FIFNC) is a catalyst for people with disabilities and their families in NC to meet their self-defined needs by leveraging relationships and resources, and encouraging reciprocity in their communities. 2,542 short and long-term goals were met for 1,846 families impacted by IDD (Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities), Traumatic Brain Injury, Mental Health or Substance Abuse Disorder assisted statewide during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of these 1,846 families, 49% (899) were never previously served by FIFNC. 152 private NC businesses provided discounts on goods or services requested by families.
- Income
- $2.5 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 81%
- Employees
- 20
- Volunteers
- 131
- Highest pay
- $95,002, 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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (6)
- $604,124 spent. All the FIF local Chapters help people with developmental and other disabilities to create the lives they aspire to now and for the future. Families or individuals apply for assistance to meet a short-term or long-term goal or obtain needed goods or services. Most of those assisted do not receive formal services; 1,503 families [or 81%] this year did not get help through the Medicaid waiver. In FY 25 the total Value of Direct Support to families through all thirteen local FIF chapters was $1,086,173, comprised of $600,449 in state funding, $68,562 from private businesses (discounts and donations), $80,871 from grassroots fundraisers by Chapter Leadership Teams, $178,070 from local grants, and $158,221 worth of donated goods provided to families.Families are offered opportunities to give back to other families at the time they apply for assistance or later on; reciprocity by families served ("gave back") for FY 25 was: 34 families donated goods; 102 families donated time, and 2 families donated money. FIF partners with the business community and other families previously served, to meet the need of the applicant at the lowest possible cost. Through such assistance, the need is met, and public awareness is developed as well. Each Chapter is governed by a grassroots local Chapter Leadership Team comprised of people with disabilities, their family members, and invested community members. Requests fulfilled fall into and are measured within 37 categories of support, for example, Adaptive Equipment and Parts, Sensory Support, Camp, or Assistive Technology. Requests are met through the matching of public funding with additional support from private local businesses, foundations, or private citizens. The Central Carolina, Cumberland, Johnston, Mecklenburg, and Wake chapters met 1,267 requests from 796 families last year, including 351 of whom were completely new to FIF (never previously assisted). This is an increase of 16% of met requests.
- $416,521 spent. The Statewide Cross-Area Special Program includes the Quality Assurance and Technical Assistance program (QATA), the Lifeline Project, and the Lifetime Connections program. QATA provides oversight and guidance, technical assistance, strategic planning, maintenance of strong management teams, new staff training, an annual assessment through Core Indicators of Chapter Health, and a comprehensive family support database to all 13 FIF Chapters statewide, including the 11 managed directly by FIFNC. This assistance ensures high-quality, customer-led family support and adherence to the FIF model. QATA support in FY25 included 10 on-site Chapter visits to meet with staff and management teams (policy-setting group), Nine All Chapter Staff (including affiliate chapters) videoconferences, 358 one-to-one Technical Assistance requests resolved, and 6 chapter staff training events. All Chapters scored over 80% on Core Indicators of Chapter Health (benchmark is 75% of the chapters scoring over 80%).
- $383,338 spent. The Blue Ridge, Five County, Triad, and Southern Piedmont Chapters funded through Vaya LME/MCO assisted 401 families last year, fulfilling 457 requests. 217 of these families were completely new to First In Families. These four Chapters assisted residents across 32 counties.
- $217,937 spent. FIF receives funding from NC DMH to operate the FIF- Eastern NC chapter, covering 17 counties in the Northeast and 11 counties in the Southeast.
- $443,541 spent. The Partners LME/MCO catchment area includes the Foothills chapter, and a few counties each in our Southern Piedmont and Triad chapters. Partners assisted 211 families last year, fulfilling 257 requests. These three Chapters assisted residents across 15 counties. Sandhills Chapter (funding administered through Alliance) assisted 83 families last year, fulfilling 123 requests. 22 of these families were completely new to First In Families. This Chapter assisted residents across nine counties. Eastern North Carolina chapter (funding administered through Alliance) assisted 241 families, fulfilling 241 requests in 28 counties.Amongst total families supported, 63 families in 21 counties across the state were assisted through by our Partners in Care grant initiative a partnership to provide enhanced system navigation and advocacy opportunities to families experiencing transition related stress.
- $44,740 spent. Lifetime Connections provides future planning support to families who are planning for their child's or sibling's well-being when they are no longer able to provide the support and advocacy needed for successful community life. This includes two core services, Future Planning meetings, and a Personal Network for each member family. Families are assisted to put a comprehensive plan in place, including will(s), special needs trust, and letter of intent, and to develop Personal Networks for current (and future) quality of life and peace of mind. Lifetime Connections has 27 active volunteers who support Personal Networks for 10 member families in 4 counties. These volunteers provide advice, goal-setting, and friendship.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.
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