Charlotte Sports Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Charlotte Sports Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization created in 2013 to provide leadership for sports-based initiatives that enhance the economy and quality of life in the Charlotte region. We provide unique events and business opportunities around professional, collegiate and amateur sporting events. Our efforts are intended to create a positive economic impact in the region as well as to enhance the quality of life.
- Income
- $29.5 million
- Spending
- $30.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- 5.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 69%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $618,770, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 27% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2540 of 42 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
10 of 10Gave 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 March 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)
- $19.3 million spent. CSE was formed to foster national amateur sports competition in the greater Charlotte-Mecklenburg County area and for other charitable purposes, including, but not limited to, maximizing the positive impact of the area's economy, national image and community pride by organizing and operating the neutral-site game ("NSG "NSG Event"), Jumpman Invitational ("Jumpman "Jumpman Event"), and Ally Tipoff ("Ally Tipoff Event") sanctioned by the NCAA.
- $6.2 million spent. CCFB was formed to foster national amateur sports competition in the greater Charlotte-Mecklenburg County area and for other charitable purposes, including, but not limited to, maximizing the positive impact of the area's economy, national image and community pride by organizing and operating a Football Bowl Subdivision college football game (the "CCFB Event") sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (the "NCAA").
- $2.7 million spent. CCF was formed to foster national amateur sports competition in the greater Charlotte-Mecklenburg County area and for other charitable purposes, including, but not limited to, maximizing the positive impact on the area's economy, national image and community pride by organizing and operating the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship Game (the "CCF Event").
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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 November 6, 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 March 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 June 2014.
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 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.