Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte

EIN 56-1541529 · Charlotte, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 40% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Providing information and support to individuals with down syndrome along with families, professionals, and the community through educational and social activities.

Income
$329,266
Spending
$448,792
Spent on programs
40%
Reserves
7.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
39
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$106,269, executive dir.

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: 63 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    40% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 61 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 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 (5)
  1. $90,036 spent. Camp Holiday:Camp Holiday is a summer day camp for children ages 5-21 with Down syndrome, running for 5 weeks in two locations in Charlotte. The camp features a variety of activities suitable for the age group and provides a supportive environment for campers
  2. $34,193 spent. Camp HorizonCamp Horizon is a traditional overnight camp experience held at YMCA Camp Harrison in Boomer, NC. This 4-day/3-night camp is for children with Down syndrome, ages 10-17, and includes traditional camp activities, such as horseback riding, arts & crafts, and swimming. Each camper is paired with a 1:1 volunteer counselor. The camp focuses on building self-confidence and independence within a traditional camp setting. Scholarships are available.
  3. $32,266 spent. Adult RetreatThe Adult Weekend Retreat is designed for adults with Down syndrome, ages 18 and above, focusing on empowering them to become contributing, valued members of their communities. The retreat includes a range of activities aimed at increasing self-confidence and independence, such as vocational projects and various camp activities. Two weekend retreats were held in 2024 near Lake Wylie in South Carolina, the retreat offers a 3:1 participant-to-counselor ratio, and scholarships are available for eligible families.
  4. $21,377 spent. Virtual Programing: The DSAGC offered a number of virtual classes in 2024 to provide convenient fun and educational activities for individuals with Ds. Improve, drama, adult relationship counseling, fitness and dance were all virtual programs offered throughout the year. We also ran a number of social events to allow certain demographics in our community to form support groups such as parents meetups, adult meetups, First Call for new and expecting parents, Christmas parties and others
  5. $2,000 spent. First Call & OtherFor expectant and new parents of children with Down syndrome, any opportunity to speak with other parents who have experienced what you are experiencing can be invaluable. The DSA of Greater Charlottes Parent First Call program is a volunteer group of trained parent mentors available 24/7 to listen, share, answer questions, and provide valuable information. There were no material costs associated with this as training of volunteers had already been complete and we didnt do any in-person events because of the risk of Covid

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? 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 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 November 1987.

    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.