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Rutherford Lifeservices Inc

EIN 56-0887123 · Spindale, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RUTHERFORD LIFE SERVICES, INC. SEEKS TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES BOTH PERSONALLY AND WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
8.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
65
Volunteers
18

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.7 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 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 30, 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 (5)
  1. $310,095 spent. THE LEARNING TREE - RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S LARGEST AND MOST MODERN CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER OFFERS 3-STAR DAY CARE TO INFANTS THROUGH CHILDREN, AGE 5. WE ALSO OFFER AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS FROM CHILDREN UP TO 12 YEARS OF AGE. DAILY PROGRAMS FOLLOW CREATIVE CURRICULUM AND CONSIST OF INTERACTIVE LEARNING TECHNIQUES SUCH AS COOKING ACTIVITIES, SCIENCE PROJECTS, ART ACTIVITIES, AND ACTIVITIES PREPARING THEM FOR TRANSITION INTO A SCHOOL SETTING, INCLUDING COMPUTER-BASED LEARNING. DAY CARE IS PROVIDED IN AN INCLUSIVE SETTING THAT ADAPTS TO VARYING CHILD DEVELOPMENT STAGES AND PROGRESS. OUR STAFF OF DAY CARE TEACHERS IS AMONG THE AREA'S MOST EXPERIENCED AND WELL-TRAINED.
  2. $663,450 spent. LIFE SERVICES - CREATED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS IN 1966 AS RUTHERFORD VOCATIONAL WORKSHOP, INC., WE HAVE EXPANDED OUR ARRAY OF SERVICES TO REACH OUT TO A WIDER CROSS SECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY, YOUNG CHILDREN, SENIOR CITIZENS, THOSE IN NEED OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES AND OF COURSE, THOSE AT THE VERY CORE OF OUR MISSION: PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. TODAY, AS LIFE SERVICES, WE CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AS 100 ADULTS PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAMS ON A DAILY BASIS AND OVER 30 DIRECT CARE STAFF ASSIST THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN WORK AND PERSONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT.
  3. $336,313 spent. LIFE CARE MEETS MANY OF THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SOCIAL LONG TERM NEEDS OF IMPAIRED ADULTS. IT IS AN IMPORTANT COMMUNITY BASED OPTION DESIGNED TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES, DELAYING AND/OR PREVENTING NURSING HOME PLACEMENT. LIFE CARE OFFERS SERVICES TO ENHANCE THE PARTICIPANT, CAREGIVERS, AND FAMILIES LIVES: NURSING CARE, PERSONAL CARE AND STRUCTURED DAILY ACTIVITIES THAT KEEP PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED AND ENJOYING LIFE TO THEIR FULLEST CAPABILITIES. RUTHERFORD LIFE CARE OPENED IN 2001 AND HAS EXPANDED AND UPGRADED THE FACILITY IN ORDER TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE SERVED.
  4. $55,864 spent. LONG TERM COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND ENTERPRISE PRODUCTION
  5. LONG TERM COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND ENTERPRISE PRODUCTION

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 August 1969.

    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.

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