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Family Services Inc

EIN 57-0324920 · N Charleston, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ORIGIN SC EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL, HOUSING AND MENTAL HEALTH STABILITY THROUGH ADVOCACY, COUNSELING, AND EDUCATION.

Income
$5.2 million
Spending
$4.7 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
14.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 60%
Employees
45
Volunteers
2
Highest pay
$182,343, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 77 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 89% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • 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

    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 December 31, 2024, 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. $1.3 million spent. THE HOMEOWNERSHIP RESOURCE CENTER (HRC) PROVIDES FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION AND COACHING TO PRIMARILY LOW-TO-MODERATE-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND POTENTIAL HOMEOWNERS. THE HRC HAS RECEIVED NATIONAL RECOGNITION AS BEING ONE OF THE TOP AGENCIES IN THE COUNTRY PROVIDING DEFAULT COUNSELING AND FORECLOSURE PREVENTION SERVICES. ADDITIONALLY, THE HRC PROVIDES ONE-ON-ONE LONG TERM BUDGET COUNSELING AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR POTENTIAL FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS. LICENSED COUNSELORS HELP INDIVIDUALS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR CREDIT REPORT, LIVE WITHIN THEIR BUDGET, AND EVENTUALLY ATTEND A FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER WORKSHOP TO HELP THEM PREPARE TO PURCHASE A HOME THAT THEY CAN AFFORD. WITH THE SKILLS LEARNED IN THE ORGANIZATION'S HOMEBUYER WORKSHOPS, THE HOMEBUYER WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT A MORTGAGE IS, HOW TO NEGOTIATE CLOSING COSTS, DOWN PAYMENTS, INSURANCE, FUTURE MAINTENANCE, AND THE MYRIAD OF OTHER OBSTACLES FACED BY FIRST TIME OR UNEDUCATED HOMEBUYERS. IN 2024, 177 INDIVIDUALS WERE EDUCATED THROUGH HOMEOWNERSHIP CLASSES AND COACHING, AND 93 PURCHASED A HOME. THE CURRENT OWNED PROPERTIES ARE BEING CONSIDERED TO BUILD LOW-TO-MODERATE INCOME HOUSING FOR THE CHARLESTON TRI-COUNTY AREA.
  2. $3.2 million spent. HOUSING STABILITY AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES (FMS) PROTECTS VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS FROM EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION AND LOSS OF MONEY THROUGH FAMILIAL EXPLOITATION. PROGRAM SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR THE ELDERLY, MINORITIES, AND INCAPACITATED INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE CONSERVATOR PROGRAM OR THE REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE PROGRAM. THE REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE PROGRAM PROVIDES BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 1,500 INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MENTALLY OR PHYSICALLY INCAPABLE OF HANDLING THEIR OWN FINANCIAL AFFAIRS. OUR LEASE ON LIFE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES PROVIDED ONGOING LEASE SUBSIDIES AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW INCOME, AT RISK VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE CONSERVATOR PROGRAM SERVED OVER 485 CLIENTS WHO ARE APPOINTED BY THE PROBATE COURT OR DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS WHEN THERE IS NO FAMILY MEMBER OR BONDED ENTITY TO MANAGE THE DISABLED INDIVIDUAL'S FINANCIAL AFFAIRS. BOTH OF THE PROGRAMS MANAGE THE CLIENT'S LIMITED FUNDS, PAY THEIR BILLS, AND ADVOCATE FOR THE INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE AS COMFORTABLY AND INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE.IN 2024, THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTED 124 HOUSEHOLDS WITH SHORT-TERM, EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF RENT, UTILITY, MORTGAGE, AND TAX PAYMENTS.
  3. THE ORGANIZATION'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND FAMILY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDES COUNSELING SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS TO HELP ERADICATE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND BUILD STRONG FAMILIES AND PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY. DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024, THE ORGANIZATION HELPED MORE THAN 184 VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WHO PARTICIPATED IN MORE THAN 1,123 SESSIONS OF COUNSELING, AND MORE THAN 219 PERPETRATORS OFDOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WHO PARTICIPATED IN MORE THAN 2,043 COUNSELING SESSIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 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 April 1971.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Sco Family of Services (Garden City, NY), EIN 11-2777066. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.