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North Carolina Sheriffs Association

EIN 56-1079943 · Raleigh, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE NORTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION IS TO SERVE AS THE STATEWIDE VOICE TO PROTECT, PROMOTE, PRESERVE, AND ENHANCE THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF IN NORTH CAROLINA THROUGH EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES THAT INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Income
$7.7 million
Spending
$6.9 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
15.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 61%
Employees
32
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$554,296, exec vp/gen counsel

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 42 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

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $1.9 million spent. TRAINING, EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIP - THE ASSOCIATION HAS DEVELOPED AND REFINED A PROGRAM OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND TRAINING FOR THEIR OFFICES THAT IS A NATIONAL MODEL. THE ASSOCIATION OPERATES A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THAT GIVES DESERVING STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FIELD OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
  2. $2.5 million spent. DIRECT SHERIFFS' SUPPORT - PROVIDES A CENTRAL INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE FOR THE SHERIFFS' OFFICES. SUPPORTS TRAINING AND STANDARDS FOR THE SHERIFFS' OFFICES. ACTS AS A STATEWIDE VOICE FOR THE SHERIFFS. MAINTAINS A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION, AS WELL AS SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATIONS IN OTHER STATES, AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA.
  3. $336,727 spent. LEGISLATIVE MONITORING AND ACTIVITIES - MONITORS ACTIONS BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND THE COURTS THAT AFFECT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. ACTS AS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE INTEREST OF THE SHERIFFS' OFFICES. WORKS WITH VARIOUS AGENCIES OF STATE GOVERNMENT TO COORDINATE PROGRAMS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
  4. $721,969 spent. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT AND EDUCATION - PROMOTES AND OPERATES THE HONORARY MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM, INCLUDING PERIODIC INFORMATIONAL MAILINGS TO THE MEMBERS.

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 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 November 6, 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 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 March 1981.

    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 November 4, 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.