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Engaging Creative Minds

EIN 46-1710691 · Charleston, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak26 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 64 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF ENGAGING CREATIVE MINDS IS TO INSPIRE THE CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE POTENTIAL OF ALL STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE ACADEMICALLY AND BECOME IMAGINATIVE, ADAPTABLE, AND PRODUCTIVE ADULTS RESULTING IN STRONGER COMMUNITIES AND AN INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE SOUTH CAROLINA WORKFORCE.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
324
Volunteers
320
Highest pay
$197,154, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 75% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 64 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 August 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. $441,005 spent. IN-SCHOOL ENGAGED LEARNING EXPERIENCES (ELES):ENGAGING CREATIVE MINDS PROVIDES TRAINING AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS TO COLLABORATE AND INTEGRATE THE ARTS INTO THE EXISTING K-8TH GRADE CURRICULUM DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.THE GOAL IS TO CLOSE THE OPPORTUNITY GAP FOR ALL STUDENTS WHICH ULTIMATELY CLOSES THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP. ELES ENGAGE AND MOTIVATE STUDENTS THUS SEEING IMPROVED BEHAVIOR, INCREASED ATTENDANCE IN SCHOOL, AND MORE ENGAGED STUDENTS. TEACHERS BECOME MORE SKILLED AND CONFIDENT AT USING THE ARTS AS BOTH A TOOL AND AN APPRECIATION FOR THE ARTS.
  2. $699,155 spent. SUMMER STEAM INSTITUTE:DESIGNED FOR CREATIVE AND ENERGETIC STUDENTS IN GRADES K-8 WHO WANT TO SPEND THEIR SUMMER ENGAGED IN SIX WEEKS OF UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTER CREATIVITY TO SOLVE REAL-WORLD CHALLENGES ALONGSIDE LOCAL ARTISTS, CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELDS OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS, AND MATHEMATICS. SUMMER STEAM INSTITUTE'S TWO MAIN OBJECTIVES ARE TO PREVENT SUMMER LEARNING LOSS AND PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR LOCAL CERTIFIED TEACHERS. IN ADDITION TO THE K-8 ARTS INTEGRATION STEAM PROGRAMS, ECM ALSO PROVIDES A HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR 9-12TH GRADE STUDENTS IN FINANCIAL LITERACY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS WHILE THEY ARE ATTENDING SIX WEEKS OF SUMMER STEAM INSTITUTE SERVING AS JUNIOR COUNSELORS.
  3. $196,170 spent. YESCAROLINA ENTREPRENEURSHIP:DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES GRADES 6-12, YESCAROLINA PROVIDES CERTIFICATION FOR TEACHERS TO TEACH ENTREPRENEURSHIP. THIS CURRICULUM, CREATED BY TEACHERS FOR TEACHERS, IS A COURSE THATSUPPORTS STUDENTS WHO ARE AT THE BEGINNING OF THEIR ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY AND PREPARES THEM TO COMPETE IN YESCAROLINA'S ANNUAL STATE BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION. THE EXPERIENTIAL CURRICULUM INCLUDES HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND LESSON PLANS THAT MOTIVATE AND ENGAGE THE LEARNER. IT IS A CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO STRATEGICALLY GIVE THE LEARNER THE NECESSARY BUILDING BLOCKS TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE A STEP-BY-STEP BUSINESS PLAN FOR IN-CLASS AND STATE BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 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 November 6, 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 August 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 2014.

    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 November 4, 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.