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Communities in Schools of Lincoln County Inc

EIN 56-1753132 · Lincolnton, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To champion the connection of needed community resources with schools to help young people successfully learn, stay in school, and prepare for life.

Income
$280,308
Spending
$282,815
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 63%
Employees
12
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$46,888, executive dir.

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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% 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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 97% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    12 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 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. $146,104 spent. Partners Behavioral Health Management:The LME-MCO and the Provider enter into this Contract to govern Providers provision of mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services to individuals referred to it by the LME-MCO. The LME-MCO initially screens individuals seeking or needing mental health developmental disabilities and/or substance abuse services and refers individuals to Provider participants. Individuals who are in need of mental health, developmental disability and/or substance abuse services choose providers for their services from a list of provider participants approved by the LME-MCO. Provider represents that it is a qualified provider of one or more mental health, developmental disabilities and/or substance abuse services. This Contract sets forth provisions pursuant to which Provider will provide mental health, developmental disabilities and/or substance abuse services to individuals who have chosen a Provider for suchservices.
  2. $37,021 spent. Gives Back: The goal of the Gives Back program is to offer the juvenile an option to give back to the community. The program uses local organizations such as churches and civic groups, government agencies, and non-profit agencies to provide opportunities for the juvenile to pay back restitution. Community service is work performed by an offender for the benefit of the community. It offers a way for the offender to be held accountable and to repair some of the harm caused by their actions.
  3. $29,310 spent. Transition Program: The program will provide both one-on-one and group mentoring activities with adults to students attending the Asbury Alternative School. The CIS Transition Coach will match, monitor and assist in the maintenance of the student-mentor relationship during the school year. The CIS Executive Director will assist in the recruitment of mentors from the community to serve in the program. Students will participate in activities a minimum of twice per week during their time in the program.
  4. $16,155 spent. Strengthening Families:To strengthen the family unit by teaching appropriate parenting skills along with teaching the youth how to communicate properly in different social situations. The program follows the evidence-model developed by Iowa State University--University Extension. The program has been used with thousands of families in the USA and worldwide. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, OJJDP, US Department of Education, and the National 4-H Council have recognized the program for its positive impacts
  5. $15,690 spent. After School:The CIS After-School Program targets the neediest areas of our community to address increased juvenile delinquent behavior by offering positive alternatives to youth promoting school attachment and increasing academic achievement, decreasing the possibility of gang-involvement and court involvement. CIS uses the Street Smart program which addresses the highest risk factors for substance abuse, violence, bullying, gang involvement and other crime.

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 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 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 December 1991.

    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.