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South Carolina Educational Communications Inc

EIN 57-0739523 · Spartanburg, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

South Carolina Educational Communications, Inc. ("SCEC") supports and promotes educational public media activities in South Carolina and across the United States, including the development and creation of original content for broadcast and educational purposes. THE ACTIVITIES OF SCEC HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN ORDER TO ASSIST AND FURTHER THE PURPOSES OF THE ETV ENDOWMENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC. SCEC ALSO ENGAGES IN ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
6
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$308,701, executive 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 52% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 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 (5)
  1. $2.1 million spent. TELEVISION PRODUCTION EXPENSES: SCEC produces and/or presents programs used by South Carolina ETV for broadcast locally on SCETV's four statewide channels and nationally on PBS and its affiliate stations. These programs are funded in part by restricted grants from foundations, corporations and individuals as well as governmental entities. SCEC, along with the ETV Endowment of South Carolina and SCETV, also contributes substantial in-kind gifts to ensure program completion and distribution. During FY25, 27 programs were in production. Since its founding in 1982, SCEC has managed more than $122 million in restricted program production grants.
  2. $80,848 spent. ANCILLARY - DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS: South Carolina Educational Communications partners with Converse University, an accredited, liberal arts university, to offer 18 online graduate-level mathematics courses. These courses are intended for certified teachers who are seeking recertification and include graduate-level mathematical pedagogy and math content for the elementary, middle and secondary teacher. A limited number of these courses can also be used toward a graduate degree at Converse University. SCEC also offers an additional 15 online professional development mathematics courses for teacher advancement credit. During FY25, SCEC processed a total of 208 graduate level and 43 professional development course registrations.
  3. $68,285 spent. RADIO PRODUCTION EXPENSES: SCEC produces and/or presents programs used by South Carolina Public Radio for broadcast locally on SC Public Radio's nine radio stations and nationally on NPR and its affiliate stations. These programs are funded in part by restricted grants from foundations, corporations and individuals as well as governmental entities. SCEC, along with the ETV Endowment of South Carolina and SC Public Radio, also contributes substantial in-kind gifts to ensure program completion and distribution. Since its founding in 1982, SCEC has managed more than $122 million in restricted program production grants. In FY25, six programs were in production. Programs included "Walter Edgar's Journal", "ColaJazz", "Rapp on Jazz", "Shortwave Kitsch", "Rooted Rhythm "Who What When".
  4. $81,440 spent. SCEC supports the production of educational website content that documents our state's history.
  5. (Expenses $ 81,440 including grants of $) SCEC supports the production of educational website content that documents our state's history.

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 November 6, 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 January 1983.

    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 November 4, 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.