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The Charles Lea Center Inc

EIN 57-6036895 · Spartanburg, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CHARLES LEA CENTER, INC. IS COMMITTED TO EMPOWERING AND SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THORUGH AN INDIVIDUALIZED APPROACH, WHERE THEY LIVE, LEARN, WORK AND PLAY. THE CORE VALUES INCLUDE INTEGERITY, COMPASSION, INNOVATION, HEALTHY LIVING, PEOPLE-FOCUS AND SERVICE EXCELLENCE.

Income
$36.6 million
Spending
$36.1 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
643
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$228,569, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    30 of 30 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 June 30, 2024, 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. $6.5 million spent. DAY PROGRAMS - FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE AN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY AND INCLUDE DAY HABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES. TOTAL DAYS SERVED: 260, NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS SERVED: 195.
  2. $20.6 million spent. RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - PROGRAM AND HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. TOTAL DAYS SERVED: 365, NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS SERVED: 261.
  3. $4.0 million spent. CASE MANAGEMENT - SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE AN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY. GUIDANCE IS GIVEN ON WHAT SERVICES THEY NEED. THE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE HELP MANAGING THEIR SERVICES AND A BUDGET IS CREATED FOR THEM. TOTAL DAYS SERVED: 260, NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS SERVED: 1,294.
  4. THE CENTER'S OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE SERVING AS A RESPITE FISCAL AGENT AND A HUD MANAGER. THE CENTER'S EMPLOYEES PROVIDE ACCOUNTING AND PAYROLL SERVICES TO ASSIST THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA WITH PROCESSING RESPITE PAYROLL. THE CENTER MANAGES EIGHT HUD CORPORATIONS. THE CENTER ALSO PERFORMS CONSULTING SERVICES TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SERVICES TO THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, 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 June 2024.

    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 October 1968.

    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.