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YWCA of Greater Charleston

EIN 57-0518147 · Charleston, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE YWCA OF GREATER CHARLESTON IS DEDICATED TO ELIMINATING RACISM, EMPOWERING WOMEN, AND PROMOTING PEACE, JUSTICE, FREEDOM, AND DIGNITY FOR ALL. THE YWCA PROMOTES THE STRENGTHENING OF BOTH CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS YOUTH AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMUNITY AND TO INNOVATE WITH NEW AND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO COMMUNITY ISSUES.

Income
$797,303
Spending
$642,222
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 55%
Employees
7
Volunteers
120
Highest pay
$101,625, director

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

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

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $41,301 spent. RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION WORKSHOPS: THE REI IS A 2 DAY TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO WANT TO PROACTILVELY UNDERSTAND AND ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE OF SYSTEMIC RACISM, BOTH IN THEIR ORGANIZATION AND IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE THE ORGANIZAITON IS WORKING. 81 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THIS TRAINING IN FY25.
  2. $94,297 spent. MLK TRIBUTE: OUR INAUGURAL MLK CELEBRATION IN 1972 WAS ONE OF THE FIRST NATIONAL TRIBUTES OF ITS KIND. IT IS SOUTH CAROLINA'S LARGEST AND LONGEST RUNNING COMMEMORATIVE MLK TRIBUTE. THE EVENTS SPAN 6 DAYS, ATTRACTING MORE THAN 30,000 CELEBRANTS FROM EVERY WALK OF LIFE-EACH ONE FOCUSED ON ELIMINATING RACISM ACROSS OUR CITY, STATE, AND NATION. EVENTS CONSIST OF A BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL BREAKFAST, YOUTH SPEAK OUT/OPEN MIC, TRI-COUNTY ECUMENICAL SERVICE, HARVEY GANTT TRIUMPH AWARD, MLK HOLIDAY PARADE, PATRON DRIVE AND YOUTH SUMMIT.
  3. $20,347 spent. WE360: THIS 8 SESSION PROGRAM WILL RUN FOR 4 WEEKS IN THE SUMMER FOR GIRLS WHO HAVE A BUSINESS OR A SKILL/HOBBY THAT COULD BE DEVELOPED INTO A BUSINESS CONCEPT. THE SERIES OFFERS COURSES THAT HELP STUDENTS LEARN TO BUILD BUDGETS, MANAGE TIME, DEVELOP PITCHES, CREATE PRICE LISTS, UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER NECESSARY TOOLS FOR BEING SUCCESSFUL ENTRPRENEURS. TARGET PARTICIPANTS ARE WOMEN OF COLOR, 18-44 WHO HAVE A BUSINESS CONCEPT OR A BUSINESS AND ARE READY TO MOVE INTO THE BUSINESS PLAN PHASE OF ENTRPRENEURSHIP. DURING FY25 THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 42 PARTICIPANTS. Y-GIRLS CODE: Y-GIRLS CODE IS DEDICATED TO CLOSING THE GENDER GAP IN TECHNOLOTY BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF GIRLS INTERESTED IN TECHNOLOGY AND CREATING A PIPELINE OF FUTURE ENGINEERS. THE GIRLS LEARN KEY CONCEPTS BEHIND COMPUTER PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES, WHETHER THEIR GOAL IS TO BUILD AN APP, CREATE A WEBSITE OR PROGRAM A ROBOT. ADDITIONALLY, THE CLUB ENVIRONMENT ENCOURAGES SISTERHOOD, AND ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO INCREASE SELF-AWARENESS, CONFIDENT, AND ESTEEM. SHE STRONG: SHE STRONG IS AN ONGOING PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO SEEK TO ENGAGE WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES AND DEVELOP AS LEADERS AND CHANGE-MAKERS. OUR GOAL IS TO EQUIP THESE YOUNG WOMEN AND ALLIES WITH THE TOOLS TO BEGIN ADVOCATING FOR THEMSELVES.EVENT - WHAT WOMEN BRING: THE WHAT WOMEN BRING (#WWB) EMPOWERMENT LUNCHEON IS TYPICALLY HELD IN SEPTEMBER. NEARLY 500 WOMEN AND MEN ATTEND THE PANEL DISCUSSION AND HONORING OF WOMEN LEADERS WHO ARE CHANGING THE FACE OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS ACROSS 10+ INDUSTRIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA. MONTHLY, THE HONOREES SHARE THEIR STORIES OF EMPOWERMENT, PERSEVERANCE, AND TRIUMPH TO ENCOURAGE AND MOTIVATE ATTENDEES WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE PRIVATE #WWB BLOG COMMUNTIY.
  4. $324,768 spent. WHAT WOMEN BRING: HIGHLIGHTS EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDSFROM BUSINESS AND EDUCATION TO HEALTHCARE, LAW, PUBLIC SERVICE, AND BEYOND. EACH YEAR, WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SITTING DOWN WITH OUR SELECTED HONOREES TO HEAR THEIR PERSONAL STORIES. THESE CONVERSATIONS GIVE INSIGHT INTO THEIR JOURNEYS, CHALLENGES, AND THE IMPACT THEY'RE MAKING, OFFERING INSPIRATION TO PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS.ALONG WITH OTHER, PROGRAMS.

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 January 1971.

    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.

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