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Saluda Downtown Foundation Inc

EIN 47-2905227 · Saluda, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To engage in activities related to and supportive of Saluda NC that serve the function of education cultural development historic preservation development and support of the arts conservation beautification lessening the burdens of government and combating community deterioration on behalf of the citizens of Saluda NC and its environs.

Income
$105,445
Spending
$104,373
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (7)
  1. $60,764 spent. Hurricane Helene Relief and Recovery Fund - provided 18 grants to Saluda NC businesses that suffered damage and financial losses from Hurricane Helene in an effort to prevent business closings property abandonment and employment loss.
  2. $19,300 spent. 19th Annual Saluda Arts Festival held May 18 2024 - promoted the long history of arts and crafts and attracted 4,000 visitors to downtown Saluda NC to shop and eat in its restaurants. More than 90 artists participated in the festival. The Polk County Community Fund made possible a Childrens Activity Tent with a grant of $5,000 for the festival.
  3. $11,179 spent. Mountain Song Community Chorus - performs free community concerts in Saluda NC and the surrounding area and provides an artistic outlet for the citys citizenry.
  4. $6,150 spent. Top of the Grade Concert Series - is a summer concert series held in McCreery Park in the City of Saluda NC and attracts 200 residents and visitors to each of three monthly concerts. The series is made possible from a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation.
  5. $5,469 spent. Saluda Visitor Center offers public restrooms and information for approximately 10,000 visitors annually. The Visitor Centers operations were turned over to the City of Saluda on June 1 2024. The Saluda Downtown Foundation had overseen the operations of the all volunteer run Visitor Center prior to that date.
  6. $1,188 spent. Saluda Sister City provides books puzzles and games in English for elementary school children in its Sister City Carunchio Italy and promotes interaction between Saluda Elementary School and the school in Italy.
  7. $180 spent. McCreery Park Amphitheater - funds donated to the City of Saluda for the beautification of McCreery Parks amphitheater.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 February 2015.

    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.