Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Stecoah Valley Arts Crafts & Educational Center Inc

EIN 56-1935344 · Robbinsville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY OF STECOAH AND GRAHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA.

Income
$369,110
Spending
$310,784
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
12
Highest pay
$47,020, executive di

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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% 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

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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 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. $32,393 spent. COMMUNITY SERVICE: THE CENTER SERVICES THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND THE USE OF THE FACILITY AS FOLLOWS: AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM - PROVIDED ACADEMIC, SOCIAL/CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR APPROX 50 GRAHAM COUNTY STUDENTS. JUNIOR APPALACHIAN MUSICIANS (JAM) PROGRAM - PROVIDED APPROX 400 HOURS OF MUSICAL INSTRUCTION TO 20 STUDENTS. SHARED USE KITCHEN FACILITY - PROVIDED CERTIFIED KITCHEN FACILITIES TO APPROX 750 FOOD ENTREPRENEURS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. MEETING ROOMS OUTDOOR FACILITIES USED BY APPROX 500 COMMUNITY MEMBERS. OFFICE SPACE, INTERNET, COPY/FAX SERVICES PROVIDED TO 2 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND APPROXIMATELY 500 COMMUNITY MEMBERS. VISITOR SERVICES - ASSISTED LOCAL TOURISM INDUSTRY BY PROVIDING INFORMATION AND SERVICES TO APPROX 4000 VISITORS. HOLIDAYS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS - PROVIDED OPPORUNITY FOR COMMUNITY SHARING AND BONDING TO APPROX 400 PARTICIPANTS. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE FOR LOCAL YOUTH AND ADULTS AND TO INCREASE LOCAL ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. COMMUNITY SERVICE: THE CENTER SERVICES THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND THE USE OF THE FACILITY AS FOLLOWS: AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM - PROVIDED ACADEMIC, SOCIAL/CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR APPROX 50 GRAHAM COUNTY STUDENTS. JUNIOR APPALACHIAN MUSICIANS (JAM) PROGRAM - PROVIDED APPROX 400 HOURS OF MUSICAL INSTRUCTION TO 20 STUDENTS. SHARED USE KITCHEN FACILITY - PROVIDED CERTIFIED KITCHEN FACILITIES TO APPROX 750 FOOD ENTREPRENEURS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. MEETING ROOMS OUTDOOR FACILITIES USED BY APPROX 500 COMMUNITY MEMBERS. OFFICE SPACE, INTERNET, COPY/FAX SERVICES PROVIDED TO 2 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND APPROXIMATELY 500 COMMUNITY MEMBERS. VISITOR SERVICES - ASSISTED LOCAL TOURISM INDUSTRY BY PROVIDING INFORMATION AND SERVICES TO APPROX 4000 VISITORS. HOLIDAYS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS - PROVIDED OPPORUNITY FOR COMMUNITY SHARING AND BONDING TO APPROX 400 PARTICIPANTS. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE FOR LOCAL YOUTH AND ADULTS AND TO INCREASE LOCAL ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES.
  2. $100,668 spent. MOUNTAIN CULTURAL ARTS : THE CENTER PRESERVES AND PROMOTES APPALACHIAN CULTURAL ARTS THROUGH THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: - "APPALACHIAN EVENING" SUMMER CONCERT AND DINNER SERIES - AUTHENTIC MOUNTAIN MUSIC AND FOOD PROVIDED TO AN AUDIENCE OF APPROX 2300. - ARTISANS GALLERY AND DRIVE ABOUT - PROVIDED ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND SUPPORT FOR OVER 180 ARTISTS AND 4900 AUDIENCE MEMBERS. - ANNUAL HARVEST FESTIVAL - PROVIDED DEMONSTRATIONS, DISPLAYS, COUNTY FAIR, MUSIC, DANCE, ETC TO APPROX 3000 ATTENDEES. - ARTS CLASSES AND PROGRAMS - PROVIDED ARTS EDUCATIONAL OPPORUNITES TO APPROX 50 PARTICIPANTS THROUGH 10 CLASSES. THE OBJECTIVE OF THESE PROGRAMS IS TO SAVE THE SPECIAL CULTURE OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES THAT IS RAPIDLY FADING AWAY. THE CENTER USES MULTI-FACETED APPROACH THAT COMBINES ENTERTAINMENT, DANCE, FESTIVALS, ART, CLASSES AND EVENTS TO ENCOURAGE THE PERPETUATION OF THESE ORIGINAL SKILLS THROUGH ECONOMIC INCENTIVES. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE IS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF PARTICIPANTS, AUDIENCE MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. MOUNTAIN CULTURAL ARTS : THE CENTER PRESERVES AND PROMOTES APPALACHIAN CULTURAL ARTS THROUGH THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: - "APPALACHIAN EVENING" SUMMER CONCERT AND DINNER SERIES - AUTHENTIC MOUNTAIN MUSIC AND FOOD PROVIDED TO AN AUDIENCE OF APPROX 2300. - ARTISANS GALLERY AND DRIVE ABOUT - PROVIDED ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND SUPPORT FOR OVER 180 ARTISTS AND 4900 AUDIENCE MEMBERS. - ANNUAL HARVEST FESTIVAL - PROVIDED DEMONSTRATIONS, DISPLAYS, COUNTY FAIR, MUSIC, DANCE, ETC TO APPROX 3000 ATTENDEES. - ARTS CLASSES AND PROGRAMS - PROVIDED ARTS EDUCATIONAL OPPORUNITES TO APPROX 50 PARTICIPANTS THROUGH 10 CLASSES. THE OBJECTIVE OF THESE PROGRAMS IS TO SAVE THE SPECIAL CULTURE OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES THAT IS RAPIDLY FADING AWAY. THE CENTER USES MULTI-FACETED APPROACH THAT COMBINES ENTERTAINMENT, DANCE, FESTIVALS, ART, CLASSES AND EVENTS TO ENCOURAGE THE PERPETUATION OF THESE ORIGINAL SKILLS THROUGH ECONOMIC INCENTIVES. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE IS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF PARTICIPANTS, AUDIENCE MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
  3. $95,545 spent. BUILDING PRESERVATION: THE CENTER WAS FORMED BY A GROUP OF LOCAL CITIZENS TO SAVE THEIR COMMUNITY SCHOOL AFTER IT WAS CLOSED. THEY PLANNED TO RETURN THE SCHOOL TO ITS ORIGINAL ROLE AS THE CENTER OF THE COMMUNITY RATHER THAN HAVE IT LEFT VACANT. THE MAIN SCHOOL BUILDING WAS BUILT IN 1926 USING ROCK CONSTRUCTION METHODS THAT CANNOT BE EASILY REPLICATED TODAY. THE GYMNASIUM WAS BUILT IN 1950. THE PROPERTY IS NOW LISTED ON THE NC STUDY LIST OF HISTORIC PLACES. SUBSTANTIAL RENOVATION IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE BUILDING RESTORATION PROJECT IS TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THE BUILDING/GROUNDS FOR THE CONTINUED USE OF THE COMMUNITY. IT ALSO PRESERVES A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE 1920'S ERA ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT OVER 15,000 PEOPLE VISIT THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS ANNUALLY. BUILDING PRESERVATION: THE CENTER WAS FORMED BY A GROUP OF LOCAL CITIZENS TO SAVE THEIR COMMUNITY SCHOOL AFTER IT WAS CLOSED. THEY PLANNED TO RETURN THE SCHOOL TO ITS ORIGINAL ROLE AS THE CENTER OF THE COMMUNITY RATHER THAN HAVE IT LEFT VACANT. THE MAIN SCHOOL BUILDING WAS BUILT IN 1926 USING ROCK CONSTRUCTION METHODS THAT CANNOT BE EASILY REPLICATED TODAY. THE GYMNASIUM WAS BUILT IN 1950. THE PROPERTY IS NOW LISTED ON THE NC STUDY LIST OF HISTORIC PLACES. SUBSTANTIAL RENOVATION IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE BUILDING RESTORATION PROJECT IS TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THE BUILDING/GROUNDS FOR THE CONTINUED USE OF THE COMMUNITY. IT ALSO PRESERVES A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE 1920'S ERA ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT OVER 15,000 PEOPLE VISIT THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS ANNUALLY.

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 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 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 June 1997.

    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.