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Partnership for the Sounds Inc

EIN 56-1829633 · Columbia, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE, COMMUNITY-DRIVEN ECONOMIC WELL-BEING AND STEWARDSHIP IN THE ALBEMARLE-PAMLICO REGION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AND NATURE-BASED AND CULTUAL TOURISM.

Income
$659,318
Spending
$922,733
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 73%
Employees
15

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 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 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 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 (3)
  1. $609,170 spent. FACILITY EXPENSE FOR 3 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTERS AND 1 VISITOR'S CENTER - NC ESTUARIUM, WASHINGTON, NC; COLUMBIA THEATER & TYRRELL COUNTY VISITOR'S CENTER, COLUMBIA, NC AND R/C RIVER CENTER, WINDSOR, NC. FACILITIES SERVE AS FOCAL POINTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, TOURISM, AND LOCAL ACTIVITIES IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND REGION. OUR FACILITIES AND PROGRAMMING WELCOMED THOUSANDS OF VISITORS TO THE REGION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, INCLUDING THOUSANDS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN, LOCAL RESIDENTS, NORTH CAROLINIANS FROM ACROSS THE STATE, CITIZENS OF OTHER STATES AND TRAVELERS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES. PROGRAMS WE PROVIDED INCLUDE ESTURINE ECOLOGY, WILDLIFE, NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE, AGRICULTURAL HISTORY, REGIONAL CUISINE, ARTISTIC EXPRESSION, MARITIME LIFE AND MORE.
  2. $240,631 spent. FACILITY EXPENSE FOR 3 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTERS AND 1 VISITOR'S
  3. FACILITY EXPENSE FOR 3 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTERS AND 1 VISITOR'S

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.