Center for Prevention Services
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To promote health and resilience through progressive approaches that integrate evidence-based substance use prevention programming, harm reduction, and multifaceted systems of care.
- Income
- $3.9 million
- Spending
- $3.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 3.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 100%
- Employees
- 36
- Volunteers
- 17
- Highest pay
- $193,360, ceo
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
Good: 75 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 37% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 33% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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 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 (2)
- $1.8 million spent. Queen City Harm Reduction (QCHR): QCHR provides syringe access services primarily to Mecklenburg County residents and does limited outreach in surrounding counties. We also provide support and education to other counties who wish to start their own syringe access programs. The purpose of syringe access programs is harm reduction and individual empowerment. We provide practical strategies to improve the health of people who use drugs by providing sterile injecting equipment. Syringe access programs are a proven method to prevent the spread of diseases like HIV, HepC, and endocarditis. Safer equipment also means fewer absesses and other health problems that put a strain on health departments and other public resources. Syringe access programs improve the lives of people who use drugs and reduce overdose deaths. QCHR is supported by grant funding from the the NC Department of Health and Human Services and a number of private grants including Novant, Gilead, and HepConnect.
- $1.3 million spent. Greater Piedmont Community Resilience (GPCR): Center for Prevention Services has been providing youth substance use prevention in the Charlotte region since 1971. We currently serve six counties in North Carolina; Mecklenburg, Union, Stanly, Cabarrus, Rowan, and Davidson. Through Substance Abuse Prevention Block Grant (SAPBG) funding, Opioid Settlement funding, and other funding streams, we supply community education, Synar-mandated merchant education, environmental prevention efforts, and support for substance use prevention coalitions across our six county catchment area. We offer evidence-based educational programs for youth and their families including Strengthening Families, Unique YOU, Too Good for Drugs, AVOID Vapes, and many others. Research has shown that between the ages of 13 and 21, the likelihood of lifetime substance use disorder decreases 4 to 5 percent for each year that the initiation of substance use is delayed. We work with youth and their families to ensure that our kids have the best possible start in life and are fully equipped to succeed.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1972.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.