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Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians

EIN 57-1121837 · Summerville, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ECONOMIC ENHANCEMENT OF VANERTOWN COMMUNITY.

Income
$541,079
Spending
$117,310
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
15.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.7 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 78% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 649% 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 July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 July 31, 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. $8,114 spent. CULTURAL CLASSES PROGRAM - THE CULTURAL CLASSES PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE, PUBLIC, HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL CLASSES FOCUSED ON INDIGENOUS CULTURAL TRADITIONS, INCLUDING BASKET MAKING, BEADWORK, DREAMCATCHERS, POTTERY, GOURD PAINTING, REGALIA MAKING, HAND DRUM PAINTING, TRADITIONAL DANCE, AND DRUMMING. CLASSES ARE LED BY NATIVE CULTURE BEARERS AND ARE DESIGNED TO PRESERVE TRIBAL KNOWLEDGE, PROMOTE CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING, AND PROVIDE COMMUNITY ACCESS TO INDIGENOUS ARTS AND TRADITIONS.
  2. $74,564 spent. COMMUNITY FARM & GARDEN (FOOD SOVEREIGNTY PROGRAM) - THE COMMUNITY FARM & GARDEN PROGRAM SUPPORTS FOOD SOVEREIGNTY, NUTRITION ACCESS, AND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION THROUGH THE OPERATION OF A TRIBALLY MANAGED FARM AND GARDEN. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE YOUTH GARDENING, RAISED BED CULTIVATION, SEASONAL PLANTING, LIVESTOCK CARE, AND DISTRIBUTION OF FRESH PRODUCE TO TRIBAL MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZES TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE, INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS.
  3. $13,884 spent. ANNUAL POWWOW & NATIVE AMERICAN EDUCATION DAY - THE ANNUAL POWWOW AND NATIVE AMERICAN EDUCATION DAY ARE PUBLIC CULTURAL EVENTS THAT PROMOTE INDIGENOUS HISTORY, LIVING TRADITIONS, AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE. EDUCATION DAY PROVIDES STUDENTS AND VISITORS WITH HANDS-ON DEMONSTRATIONS, PERFORMANCES, AND INTERPRETIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES, WHILE THE POWWOW FEATURES TRADITIONAL DANCE COMPETITIONS, DRUMMING, CULTURAL VENDORS, AND DEMONSTRATIONS. THESE EVENTS SERVE AS MAJOR CULTURAL TOURISM AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH ACTIVITIES FOR THE TRIBE.
  4. $15,628 spent. HOME REPAIR & HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM - THE HOME REPAIR PROGRAM PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO TRIBAL MEMBERS THROUGH MINOR HOME REPAIRS, ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS, AND SAFETY-RELATED UPGRADES. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS, SUPPORT ELDERS AND VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS, AND STRENGTHEN HOUSING STABILITY WITHIN THE TRIBAL COMMUNITY. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BASED ON NEED AND AVAILABLE FUNDING. CULTURAL CENTER DEVELOPMENT & PROGRAM EXPANSION - THE TRIBE ENGAGED IN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE CREATION OF A TRIBAL CULTURAL CENTER, INTENDED TO SERVE AS A PERMANENT SPACE FOR CULTURAL CLASSES, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, COMMUNITY GATHERINGS, FOOD DISTRIBUTION, AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT. ACTIVITIES DURING THE FISCAL YEAR INCLUDED SITE PREPARATION, INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING, PARTNERSHIP COORDINATION, AND GRANT- FUNDED IMPROVEMENTS TO SUPPORT FUTURE PROGRAM DELIVERY.
  5. HOME REPAIR & HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM - THE HOME REPAIR PROGRAM PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO TRIBAL MEMBERS THROUGH MINOR HOME REPAIRS, ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS, AND SAFETY-RELATED UPGRADES. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS, SUPPORT ELDERS AND VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS, AND STRENGTHEN HOUSING STABILITY WITHIN THE TRIBAL COMMUNITY. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BASED ON NEED AND AVAILABLE FUNDING. CULTURAL CENTER DEVELOPMENT & PROGRAM EXPANSION - THE TRIBE ENGAGED IN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE CREATION OF A TRIBAL CULTURAL CENTER, INTENDED TO SERVE AS A PERMANENT SPACE FOR CULTURAL CLASSES, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, COMMUNITY GATHERINGS, FOOD DISTRIBUTION, AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT. ACTIVITIES DURING THE FISCAL YEAR INCLUDED SITE PREPARATION, INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING, PARTNERSHIP COORDINATION, AND GRANT- FUNDED IMPROVEMENTS TO SUPPORT FUTURE PROGRAM DELIVERY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 July 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 2009.

    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.