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Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas Inc

EIN 56-1286323 · Salisbury, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES IN THE CAROLINAS (LFS) IS DEDICATED TO ONE SIMPLE GOAL, IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. THE LFS MISSION STATEMENT IS, "EMPOWERED BY CHRIST, WE WALK TOGETHER WITH ALL WE SERVE." LFS HELPS PLACE CHILDREN IN LOVING FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE HOMES; PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS; HELPS THOSE WITH SEVERE AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS MANAGE SYMPTOMS; AIDS VETERANS IN REGAINING INDEPENDENCE; HELPS REFUGEES ACCLIMATE TO LIFE IN A NEW COUNTRY; COUNSELS FAMILIES IN THEIR TIME OF NEED AND MORE.

Income
$39.6 million
Spending
$37.9 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 48%
Employees
454
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$467,013, president/ceo

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

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 52% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 21 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 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 (3)
  1. $17.6 million spent. LFS OFFERS FAMILY AND THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE TO MEET THE SPECIAL PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN OUR CARE. SOME OF THESE CHILDREN SUFFER FROM MEDICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME AND DRUG ADDICTION. OLDER CHILDREN CAN HAVE EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES AND ARE GIVEN COUNSELING WHEN NEEDED. MANY FAMILIES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADOPT WHEN REUNIFICATION WITH A CHILD'S BIOLOGICAL FAMILY IS NOT POSSIBLE. FINDING PERMANENT, SAFE, AND SUPPORTIVE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN IS THE GOAL OF LFS FOSTER CARE.
  2. $13.5 million spent. LFS PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR ADULTS COPING WITH VARIOUS DEGREES OF AUTISM, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, MENTAL ILLNESS, AND SYMPTOMS RESULTING FROM TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. SELF-SUFFICIENCY IS TAUGHT AND ENCOURAGED IN THESE HOMES, THOUGH MANY CLIENTS WILL LIVE OUT THEIR LIVES WITH LFS.
  3. $846,599 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE ADOPTION, COUNSELING, REFUGEE, COMMUNITY - BASED PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVES AND DISASTER RESPONSE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 September 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 1963.

    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.