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Dorchester County Community Outreach

EIN 47-3909720 · Summerville, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

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

What it says it does

THE DCCO MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT, SUPPORT SERVICES, AND AN AVENUE TO INDEPENDENCE FOR THOSE IN A HOUSING CRISIS. WE BELIEVE THAT ALL PEOPLE DESERVE THE BASIC NECESSITIES OF LIFE, AND AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY WE LIVE IN, WE SERVE THAT PURPOSE.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$530,759
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
9
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$82,308, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 62% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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. $237,498 spent. ANCHOR HOUSE (MEN'S TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM)ANCHOR HOUSE IS A 16-BED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM SERVING MEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN DORCHESTER COUNTY. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES A STRUCTURED, SAFE, AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE PARTICIPANTS WORK TOWARD STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE.EXPENSES PRIMARILY SUPPORT STAFF WHO DELIVER DIRECT SERVICES, INCLUDING DAILY CHECK-INS, INDIVIDUALIZED GOAL PLANNING, AND REGULAR ONE-ON-ONE CASE MANAGEMENT FOCUSED ON EMPLOYMENT, FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND SECURING PERMANENT HOUSING. STAFF ALSO ENSURE A SAFE AND WELL-MAINTAINED LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL RESIDENTS, VOLUNTEERS, AND VISITORS.PROGRAM OUTCOMES FOCUS ON PARTICIPANTS ACHIEVING STABLE EMPLOYMENT, INCREASING SAVINGS, AND TRANSITIONING TO PERMANENT HOUSING.
  2. $107,954 spent. LIGHT HOUSE (WOMEN'S TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM)LIGHT HOUSE IS AN 8-BED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM SERVING WOMEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES A STABLE, STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT DESIGNED TO SUPPORT PARTICIPANTS AS THEY WORK TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND LONG-TERM HOUSING STABILITY.EXPENSES ARE PRIMARILY RELATED TO STAFFING AND PROGRAM OPERATIONS, INCLUDING DIRECT SERVICE DELIVERY SUCH AS DAILY CHECK-INS, INDIVIDUALIZED GOAL SETTING, AND ONGOING CASE MANAGEMENT. SERVICES ARE TAILORED TO EACH PARTICIPANT'S NEEDS, WITH A FOCUS ON EMPLOYMENT, FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE, AND HOUSING PLACEMENT.STAFF ALSO MAINTAIN A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT THAT PROMOTES ACCOUNTABILITY, DIGNITY, AND PROGRESS TOWARD INDEPENDENCE.
  3. $86,362 spent. HOUSING STABILIZATION & SUPPORT SERVICESACROSS BOTH FACILITIES, KEYS TO CHANGE PROVIDES INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT SERVICES THAT HELP PARTICIPANTS OVERCOME BARRIERS TO STABILITY. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT NAVIGATION, ASSISTANCE OBTAINING IDENTIFICATION AND ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS, BUDGETING SUPPORT, AND REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTHCARE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE RESOURCES.EXPENSES FOR THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE STAFF TIME DEDICATED TO CASE MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION, AS WELL AS LIMITED DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND PROGRAM-RELATED COSTS.THE GOAL OF THESE SERVICES IS TO EQUIP PARTICIPANTS WITH THE TOOLS, RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE AND SUSTAIN LONG-TERM HOUSING AND FINANCIAL STABILITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2016.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.