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Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina

EIN 51-0174878 · Mebane, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Educate, advocate, support and promote parternships that lead to positive outcomes for children, youth and resource families of NC.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
-0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
32
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$88,521, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 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 (3)
  1. $968,798 spent. Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina (FFA-NC) is dedicated to supporting substitute caregivers across our state. We are committed to driving system change while providing timely, on-the-ground support and training for both current and future caregivers-as well as the professionals who serve them. 11,000 children are in foster care statewide, and more than 5,000 licensed foster homes are needed to meet the ongoing demand. At the same time, many caregivers leave within the first year due to a lack of support, training, and connection. These numbers reflect a system stretched thin and underscore the urgency of our work.
  2. Our largest area of focus is caregiver recruitment and retention for children involved in the child welfare system, including those who have achieved permanency. This is where we excel, largely due to the lived experience of our staff, many of whom are current or former caregivers themselves. We work closely with NCDHHS on statewide recruitment strategies, serve on state- level workgroups, and engage directly in advocacy at local and regional recruitment events. At FFA-NC, we believe in walking alongside caregivers from the moment they say yes to the moment their story reaches its next chapter. Whether a caregiver is fostering, pursuing adoption, or supporting reunification, we ensure they are not alone on the journey.
  3. Additionally, we are proud to provide unique, impactful training to professionals across North Carolina. Because of our lived experiences, we are able to offer a perspective that brings the caregiver journey to life. Through real stories, authentic voices, and the presence of our families, we help professionals better understand and support those who step forward to care for children in need. . As the state continues to work toward improved outcomes-such as reducing time to permanency, increasing placement stability, and preventing entry into care-FFA-NC stands as a critical partner in building and sustaining the caregiver community at the heart of it all.

Source: Form 990 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2017 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2018.

    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 June 2018.

    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.