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South Carolina Technical College System Foundation

EIN 57-0468430 · Columbia, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE FOUNDATION IS TO BE A SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM (THE "SYSTEM"). THE FOUNDATION FOSTERS ENDURING RELATIONSHIPS THAT BUILD ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT FOR THE SYSTEM AND THE SIXTEEN (16) TECHNICAL COLLEGES ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, TO ENSURE AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE SOUTH CAROLINA TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM'S EFFORTS TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY, RELEVANT, AND EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE STATE.

Income
$609,463
Spending
$519,690
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$80,640, interim ceo

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: 73 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $251,710 spent. CREATE OPPORTUNITY IS AN INITIATIVE OF THE FOUNDATION THAT INCREASES THE SUPPLY OF HIGH-DEMAND SOFTWARE ENGINEERS THROUGH A SCREENING, TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIP MODEL DESIGNED FOR INDIVIDUALS FROM DIVERSE, NON-TECHNICAL BACKGROUNDS. THE FOUNDATION HAS DEVELOPED A UNIQUE, HIGH-IMPACT CURRICULUM THAT YIELDS DIFFERENTIATED RESULTS. TO DATE, 100% OF THE FOUNDATION'S APPRENTICES HAVE BEEN PLACED AT A MEDIAN SALARY IN EXCESS OF $50,000 PER YEAR WITH HEALTH INSURANCE AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS.CREATE OPPORTUNITY'S PROGRAM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH CAROLINA'S TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM, AND CONSISTS OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPOMENT, SOFT SKILLS AND LIFE COUNSELING, FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIPS TO ENSURE LONG-TERM SUCCESS.CURRENT INDICATORS OF SUCCESS INCLUDE:1. STUDENT ENROLLMENT AND COMPLETION RATES - GRADUATION RATE HAS IMPROVED WITH EVERY COHORT FOR 2.5 YEARS. COMPLETION RATE = 61%;2. Job placement/retention rates - % of graduates employed in their field within 6 months of graduation = 100%, graduates who remain employed after 1 year = 92%;3. Skills proficiency - regular testing to measure proficiency in key technical skills;4. Program efficiency - regular feedback from instructors to asses curriculum effectiveness and student progress; and5. Income improvement - average participant income increases 76% upon placement in first apprenticeship, potential earnings of $1.2 million over 20 years.
  2. $40,000 spent. Annually, the Foundation provides an amount applied for and disbursed to the South Carolina State Technical College System to support economic development and technical education.

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 August 1965.

    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.