Lift Up Carolinas
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LIFT UP CAROLINAS IS A NONPROFIT VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED PHILANTHROPIC PROGRAMS.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 19.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 84%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 275
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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.
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 May 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 (5)
- $499,147 spent. GEAR UP CAROLINAS PROVIDES NEW CLOTHING FOR CHILDREN IN NEED IN CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG SCHOOLS. COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS FROM HIGH POVERTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WILL "SHOP" AT THE LIFT UP CAROLINAS ORGANIZATION FOR THESE STUDENTS FOR UNIFORMS, COATS, UNDERWEAR, SOCKS, AND HYGIENE SUPPLIES. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IDENTIFIED BY THEIR COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS ARE INVITED WITH THEIR PARENTS TO SHOP AT A LOCAL TARGET STORE FOR SCHOOL APPROPRIATE CLOTHING. IN 2024-2025, GEAR UP CAROLINAS SERVED 7,382 CHILDREN IN GRADES K-5 WITH COMPLETE UNIFORMS; 2,053 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH CLOTHING AND SUPPLIES; 552 CHILDREN WITH A PAIR OF SHOES; 2,784 CHILDREN WITH A COAT/4,320 FLEECE JACKETS; 600 K-12 STUDENTS WITH BOOKBAGS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES; 1,540 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH 7,700 BOOKS; 120 MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM 2 SCHOOLS WERE SERVED AT TARGET, AND 928 INDIVIDUALS WERE AWARDED A VERITY OF COMMUNITY AWARDS. GEAR UP CAROLINAS PROVIDES NEW CLOTHING FOR CHILDREN IN NEED IN CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG SCHOOLS. COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS FROM HIGH POVERTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WILL "SHOP" AT THE LIFT UP CAROLINAS ORGANIZATION FOR THESE STUDENTS FOR UNIFORMS, COATS, UNDERWEAR, SOCKS, AND HYGIENE SUPPLIES. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IDENTIFIED BY THEIR COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS ARE INVITED WITH THEIR PARENTS TO SHOP AT A LOCAL TARGET STORE FOR SCHOOL APPROPRIATE CLOTHING. IN 2024-2025, GEAR UP CAROLINAS SERVED 7,382 CHILDREN IN GRADES K-5 WITH COMPLETE UNIFORMS; 2,053 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH CLOTHING AND SUPPLIES; 552 CHILDREN WITH A PAIR OF SHOES; 2,784 CHILDREN WITH A COAT/4,320 FLEECE JACKETS; 600 K-12 STUDENTS WITH BOOKBAGS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES; 1,540 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH 7,700 BOOKS; 120 MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM 2 SCHOOLS WERE SERVED AT TARGET, AND 928 INDIVIDUALS WERE AWARDED A VERITY OF COMMUNITY AWARDS.
- $372,462 spent. CHECK HUNGER WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1992 AND IS DESIGNED TO ALLEVIATE CHILDREN'S HUNGER BY DISTRIBUTING FOOD IN THESE WAYS: (1) PROVIDING WEEKLY TAKE HOME BACKPACKS TO CHILDREN AT RISK IN CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG SCHOOLS - EACH BACKPACK CONTAINS FULL-SIZE PORTIONS OF PROTEIN, VEGETABLES, FRUIT AND CALCIUM PRODUCTS TO SUPPLEMENT THE STUDENT'S AND HIS/HER FAMILY'S WEEKEND MEALS; (2) SPONSORING AND OPERATING 16 MOBILE PANTRIES AT 4 HIGH-NEED SCHOOLS; (3) SUPPLYING METRO SCHOOL, A SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL OF 250 STUDENTS, SNACKS FOR ALL STUDENTS AND JARS OF APPLESAUCE TO ASSIST WITH ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION; (4) PROVIDING SMALL ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND OTHER KITCHEN ITEMS, INCLUDING FOOD STAPLES, TO 30 FAMILIES MOVING INTO PERMANENT HOUSING THROUGH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY. IN 2024-2025, 420 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN WERE PROVIDED WITH WEEKEND PACKPACKS. TOTAL BACKPACKS PROVIDED FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR WERE 16,000. CHECK HUNGER FUNDED AND STAFFED 16 MOBILE PANTRIES AT 4 SCHOOLS, SERVING 2,642 FAMILY UNITS. PROTEIN DONATIONS TO SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK AND LOAVES AND FISHES THROUGH OUTSIDE SOURCES PROVIDED MORE THAN 34,700 POUNDS OF PROTEIN-RICH FOOD TO SUPPLEMENT DIES OF FAMILIES IN NEED. CHECK HUNGER WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1992 AND IS DESIGNED TO ALLEVIATE CHILDREN'S HUNGER BY DISTRIBUTING FOOD IN THESE WAYS: (1) PROVIDING WEEKLY TAKE HOME BACKPACKS TO CHILDREN AT RISK IN CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG SCHOOLS - EACH BACKPACK CONTAINS FULL-SIZE PORTIONS OF PROTEIN, VEGETABLES, FRUIT AND CALCIUM PRODUCTS TO SUPPLEMENT THE STUDENT'S AND HIS/HER FAMILY'S WEEKEND MEALS; (2) SPONSORING AND OPERATING 16 MOBILE PANTRIES AT 4 HIGH-NEED SCHOOLS; (3) SUPPLYING METRO SCHOOL, A SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL OF 250 STUDENTS, SNACKS FOR ALL STUDENTS AND JARS OF APPLESAUCE TO ASSIST WITH ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION; (4) PROVIDING SMALL ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND OTHER KITCHEN ITEMS, INCLUDING FOOD STAPLES, TO 30 FAMILIES MOVING INTO PERMANENT HOUSING THROUGH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY. IN 2024-2025, 420 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN WERE PROVIDED WITH WEEKEND PACKPACKS. TOTAL BACKPACKS PROVIDED FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR WERE 16,000. CHECK HUNGER FUNDED AND STAFFED 16 MOBILE PANTRIES AT 4 SCHOOLS, SERVING 2,642 FAMILY UNITS. PROTEIN DONATIONS TO SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK AND LOAVES AND FISHES THROUGH OUTSIDE SOURCES PROVIDED MORE THAN 34,700 POUNDS OF PROTEIN-RICH FOOD TO SUPPLEMENT DIES OF FAMILIES IN NEED.
- $129,817 spent. MECKLENBURG COUNTY TEEN COURT IS AN ALTERNATIVE JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS AGED 12 THROUGH 17 YEARS OLD. IT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE JUVENILES A SECOND CHANCE WHEN THEY ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LIFT UP CAROLINAS PROGRAM. OFFENDER REFERRALS COME FROM SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE, AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, WITH SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM COMPLETION ALLOWING THE JUVENILE TO AVOID A PERMANENT CRIMINAL RECORD. VOLUNTEER TEENS ARE RECRUITED AND TRAINED IN THE LEGAL PROCESS, SERVING AS JURORS, CLERKS,BAILIFFS, JURY FOREMEN AND ATTORNEYS FOR THE HEARINGS. THIS JUVENILE- BASED JUSTICE SYSTEM PLACES STRONG EMPHASIS ON ACCOUNTABILITY, POSITIVE PEER INFLUENCE, AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT TO EFFECT CHANGE. THIS PROGRAM ASSISTED 170 YOUTH OFFENDERS AND 160 VOLUNTEER TEENS TO PROVIDE 3,779 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, WITH ADULT VOLUNTEERS PROVIDING 3,779 SERVICE HOURS. THE RECIDIVISM RATE CONSISTENTLY REMAINS BELOW FIVE PERCENT. SCHOLARSHIPS WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF 18,000 WERE AWARDED TO 4 OUTSTANDING MCTC VOLUNTEERS. MECKLENBURG COUNTY TEEN COURT IS AN ALTERNATIVE JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS AGED 12 THROUGH 17 YEARS OLD. IT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE JUVENILES A SECOND CHANCE WHEN THEY ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LIFT UP CAROLINAS PROGRAM. OFFENDER REFERRALS COME FROM SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE, AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, WITH SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM COMPLETION ALLOWING THE JUVENILE TO AVOID A PERMANENT CRIMINAL RECORD. VOLUNTEER TEENS ARE RECRUITED AND TRAINED IN THE LEGAL PROCESS, SERVING AS JURORS, CLERKS,BAILIFFS, JURY FOREMEN AND ATTORNEYS FOR THE HEARINGS. THIS JUVENILE- BASED JUSTICE SYSTEM PLACES STRONG EMPHASIS ON ACCOUNTABILITY, POSITIVE PEER INFLUENCE, AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT TO EFFECT CHANGE. THIS PROGRAM ASSISTED 170 YOUTH OFFENDERS AND 160 VOLUNTEER TEENS TO PROVIDE 3,779 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, WITH ADULT VOLUNTEERS PROVIDING 3,779 SERVICE HOURS. THE RECIDIVISM RATE CONSISTENTLY REMAINS BELOW FIVE PERCENT. SCHOLARSHIPS WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF 18,000 WERE AWARDED TO 4 OUTSTANDING MCTC VOLUNTEERS.
- $242,232 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE: (1) THE ASSISTANCE LEAGUE SCHOLARSHIP FUND WHICH AWARDED THE FOLLOWING IN 2024-2025: (A) MORE THAN 26 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG GRADUATING SENIORS AND PREVIOUS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS, (B) 312 CHILDREN RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND SUMMER CAMP, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND PRIVATE LESSONS FOCUSED ON MUSIC, ART AND LITERACY, (C) TWO ADULTS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND COMMUNITY CULINARY SCHOOL OF CHARLOTTE, AND (D) FUNDS PROVIDED FOR MATERIALS AT 20 ALP TUTORING SITES/SCHOOLS INCLUDING 100 BAGS OF BOOKS - AND (2) OUTREACH PROGRAMS WHICH PROVIDED GOODS FOR SHORT-TERM NEEDS TO THE COMMUNITY VIA COLLABORATION WITH OTHER 501(C)(3) AGENCIES.
- OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE: (1) THE ASSISTANCE LEAGUE SCHOLARSHIP FUND WHICH AWARDED THE FOLLOWING IN 2024-2025: (A) MORE THAN 26 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG GRADUATING SENIORS AND PREVIOUS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS, (B) 312 CHILDREN RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND SUMMER CAMP, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND PRIVATE LESSONS FOCUSED ON MUSIC, ART AND LITERACY, (C) TWO ADULTS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND COMMUNITY CULINARY SCHOOL OF CHARLOTTE, AND (D) FUNDS PROVIDED FOR MATERIALS AT 20 ALP TUTORING SITES/SCHOOLS INCLUDING 100 BAGS OF BOOKS - AND (2) OUTREACH PROGRAMS WHICH PROVIDED GOODS FOR SHORT-TERM NEEDS TO THE COMMUNITY VIA COLLABORATION WITH OTHER 501(C)(3) AGENCIES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 May 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Worth knowing.
Recognized by the IRS in December 2025. It is too new to have a track record.
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.