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Fact Forward

EIN 57-0897120 · Columbia, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FACT FORWARD'S MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES, THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND BEYOND BY PREVENTING TEEN PREGNANCY AND ADVANCING ADOLESCENT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 88%
Employees
18
Volunteers
23
Highest pay
$133,269, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    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 September 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. $1.6 million spent. PROJECT I.M.P.A.C.T (IMPLEMENTING MEANINGFUL PROGRAMS ACROSS COMMUNITIES TOGETHER) IS DESIGNED TO IMPLEMENT MEDICALLY ACCURATE, EVIDENCE-BASED TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND PROVIDE A NETWORK OF SUPPORT SERVICES TO ADVANCE EQUITY FOR ADOLESCENTS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH ADDRESSING SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES IN RICHLAND AND DARLINGTON COUNTIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA. THROUGHOUT THIS FIVE-YEAR PROJECT, PROJECT I.M.P.A.C.T. WILL COLLABORATE WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS, COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, HOUSES OF WORSHIP, COLLEGES, AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE TO SERVE A MINIMUM OF 48,000 YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS.
  2. $731,773 spent. DSS PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATION, TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND PUBLIC AWARENESS ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT SOUTH CAROLINA AND FUNDS PARTNERS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO IMPLEMENT EVIDENCE-BASED TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS TO YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 11 AND 19.
  3. $225,787 spent. NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM COLLABORATES WITH LOCAL PARTNERS, INCLUDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS, COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO ENSURE THE DELIVERY OF CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE AND INCLUSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION THAT MEETS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF NORTH CAROLINA'S DIVERSE YOUTH POPOULATION.
  4. $191,671 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS DURING THE YEAR INCLUDED: (1) RTI, A SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT HAS BEEN ADAPTED FOR YOUNG MOTHERS; (2) A RESEARCH PROJECT TO TEST CURRICULUM WITH PREGNANT AND PARENTING TEEN MOTHERS WITHIN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL/COLLEGE AGED YOUTH; AND (3) OTHER PROJECT SERVICES PROGRAMS INCLUDING WORKSHOP REGISTRATION REVENUE AND EXPENSES.
  5. OTHER PROGRAMS DURING THE YEAR INCLUDED: (1) RTI, A SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT HAS BEEN ADAPTED FOR YOUNG MOTHERS; (2) A RESEARCH PROJECT TO TEST CURRICULUM WITH PREGNANT AND PARENTING TEEN MOTHERS WITHIN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL/COLLEGE AGED YOUTH; AND (3) OTHER PROJECT SERVICES PROGRAMS INCLUDING WORKSHOP REGISTRATION REVENUE AND EXPENSES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 1996.

    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.