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Experiment in Self-Reliance Inc

EIN 56-6060100 · Winston Salem, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Operate programs designed to combat and alleviate poverty in Forysth County, North Carolina, primarily through supplying transitional housing, financial training and assistance.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 51%
Employees
33

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: 63 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 89 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (1)
  1. COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM CONSISTS OF THREE PROGRAMS AIMED AT INCREASING FINANCIAL LITERACY TO ASSIST LOW INCOME RESIDENTS OF FORSYTH COUNTY. THE SELFSUFFICIENCY PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE OBTAINMENT OF EDUCATIONAL TRAINING AND BETTER EMPLOYMENT. EDUCATIONAL TRAINING IS AIMED TO INCREASE FINANCIAL LITERACY LIKE SAVING HABITS SO THAT FAMILIES CAN BECOME SELFSUFFICIENT AND STABILIZE THEIR LIVES. PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE RESIDENTS OF FORSYTH COUNTY, BE MOTIVATED, AND TO FALL WITHIN THE DHHS POVERTY GUIDELINES. THE FORSYTH FREE TAX PROGRAM FREE INCOME TAX RETURN PREPARATION AND FILING IS OFFERED TO RESIDENTS WITH LOW TO MODERATE INCOME. THIS PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE VITA PROGRAM AND GOES HAND IN HAND WITH THE NEW CENTURY IDA PROGRAM. THE NEW CENTURY IDA PROGRAM TO COMBAT GENERATIONAL POVERTY THROUGH THE FOLLOWING FINANCIAL LITERACY AREAS BUDGET COUNSELING, VOCATIONAL COUNSELING, IDA SAVINGS ACCOUNT, AND BUILDING ASSETS. BUILDING ASSETS, SUCH AS FIRSTTIME HOME OWNERSHIP, IS ACCOMPLIS

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 September 1964.

    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.