Auntie Karen Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Founded in 2001, The Auntie Karen Foundation empowers, enlightens, and educates through the arts. For nearly 25 years, the Foundation has created innovative educational experiences that strengthen academic achievement, inspire creativity, develop future leaders, and expand economic opportunity. Through strategic partnerships with schools, colleges, government agencies, businesses, artists, and nonprofit organizations, the Foundation serves children, youth, educators, artists, and families throughout South Carolina, with a special emphasis on rural and historically underserved communities.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- -0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 92%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $100,015, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 54% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 (4)
- $836,684 spent. Artpreneur: Arts in Education - Throughout 2025, the Foundation continued its longstanding partnerships with public school districts throughout South Carolina to provide Arts in Education and STEAM programming, with a special emphasis on rural and underserved communities. Programs continued in school districts including Williamsburg County School District, Marion County School District, and Colleton County School District, where professional teaching artists collaborated with educators to integrate the arts into classroom instruction. Students participated in visual arts, music, dance, theatre, creative writing, entrepreneurship, and arts integration experiences that increased student engagement, strengthened academic achievement, encouraged creativity, and supported social and emotional learning. The Foundation also continued providing professional development that equips educators with innovative arts integration strategies to enhance teaching and learning across multiple subject areas. The Foundation continued its longstanding partnerships with public school districts, colleges and universities, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, artists, businesses, and community leaders throughout South Carolina. These collaborations expanded educational opportunities, strengthened communities, and increased access to high-quality arts education, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and creative learning experiences. A significant milestone during 2025 was the purchase of the Foundation's first permanent office building. This investment established a long-term headquarters that will support expanded educational programming, curriculum development, artist services, educator training, community engagement, and organizational sustainability for generations to come. As The Auntie Karen Foundation approaches its 25th Anniversary, it remains committed to empowering, enlightening, and educating through the arts. By combining arts education, entrepreneurship, career readiness, emerging technology, and strategic partnerships, the Foundation continues to prepare children, educators, artists, and communities for success while creating lasting opportunities that strengthen South Carolina and inspire future generations. Since its founding in 2001, The Auntie Karen Foundation has remained committed to its belief that creativity is a pathway to educational excellence, economic opportunity, and stronger communities. Through innovative programming, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to serving all learners, the Foundation continues to transform lives by empowering individuals to discover their gifts, develop their talents, and build a legacy of leadership and service.
- $191,787 spent. Legends of... Concert Series continued its tradition of bringing Grammy Award winning artists to South Carolina while celebrating excellence in music and preserving the rich legacy of African American culture. During 2025, the Foundation presented the 21st LEGENDS of... Concert Series featuring five time Grammy Award winner PJ Morton. More than a concert, the event served as a cultural and educational experience that supported cultural tourism, created paid performance opportunities for South Carolina musicians, vocalists, visual artists, and creative professionals, and strengthened the state's creative economy. As part of the LEGENDS experience, the Foundation hosted the LEGENDS Master Class, providing hundreds of students with direct access to Grammy Award winning artists and accomplished music industry professionals. Students participated in educational workshops, live demonstrations, and career discussions that encouraged artistic excellence while exposing them to careers in music, entertainment, and the creative industries.
- $7,695 spent. Young Entrepreneurs - During 2025, the Foundation celebrated the 20th Annual Auntie Karen Young Entrepreneurs Conference, one of South Carolina's longest running youth entrepreneurship conferences. The 2025 conference theme, "Legacy Moves Forward: AI Ready," reflected the Foundation's commitment to preparing the next generation of leaders to thrive in an economy increasingly shaped by innovation and artificial intelligence. The conference equipped middle and high school students with entrepreneurship, leadership, financial literacy, business development, career readiness, and emerging technology skills through hands on learning experiences, business competitions, and interaction with successful entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community partners. A defining characteristic of the conference is its lasting impact. Former Young Entrepreneurs participants continue to return as successful business owners, professionals, speakers, judges, mentors, and volunteers, inspiring the next generation of student entrepreneurs while demonstrating the long-term value of investing in youth leadership and entrepreneurship. The conference serves as a multigenerational pipeline that develops future business owners, innovators, and community leaders.
- $4,483 spent. Gordon Sales - During 2025, the Foundation established a new partnership with the South Carolina GEAR UP program to expand career readiness, entrepreneurship, leadership, and artificial intelligence education for students across the state. Planning and curriculum development began during the year, laying the foundation for program implementation in 2026 through the Foundation's Coach Al Career Readiness initiative. The Foundation also continued developing original educational intellectual property through children's books, curriculum, music, digital media, and online educational resources that extend learning beyond the classroom while encouraging literacy, creativity, character development, and lifelong learning.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.