Stephens County Hospital Authority
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF STEPHENS COUNTY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE AND RELATED SERVICES TO ENHANCE INDIVIDUAL HEALTH AND WELL BEING IN A MANNER THAT MEETS THE EXPECTATIONS OF PATIENTS AND OTHER CUSTOMERS; PRESERVE THE RIGHTS OF PATIENTS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHERS TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY, RESPECT AND CONCERN; PROVIDE PROFESSIONALLY AND TECHNICALLY PROFICIENT PERSONNEL IN AN EFFECTIVE AND RESOURCE EFFICIENT MANNER; AND UTILILIZE RESOURCES APPROPRIATELY TO CONTAIN COSTS AND TO PROVIDE FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES. ALL PHASES OF OPERATION MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN AN ETHICAL MANNER DEDICATED TO EXCELLENCE IN HEALTHCARE FOR EVERY LIFE WE TOUCH.
- Income
- $52.5 million
- Spending
- $53.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- -4.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 90%
- Employees
- 583
- Highest pay
- $581,426, physician
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
Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 122% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (1)
- $47.8 million spent. STEPHENS COUNTY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS LICENSED TO OPERATE 96 INPATIENT BEDS AND PROVIDES OUTPATIENT SERVICES TO A SERVICE AREA THAT EXTENDS BEYOND STEPHENS COUNTY INTO THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES OF FRANKLIN, HART, HABERSHAM, RABUN AND BANKS IN GEORGIA, AND INTO NEIGHBORING OCONEE COUNTY IN SOUTH CAROLINA. STEPHENS COUNTY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ALSO OPERATES A 92-BED PERSONAL CARE HOME. THE HOSPITAL PARTICIPATES IN SEVERAL EMPLOYER SPONSORED HEALTH FAIRS AND SUPPORTS THE LOCAL EMPLOYERS IN THE "DRUGS DON'T WORK" PROGRAM. THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES FREE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TO THE OPEN ARMS CLINIC (A FREE CLINIC OPERATING IN STEPHENS COUNTY). THE HOSPITAL DOES NOT TURN DOWN ANYONE FOR EMERGENCY AND/OR MEDICALLY NECESSARY SERVICES BASED ON THE ABILITY TO PAY FOR SUCH SERVICES.
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
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 October 13, 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 September 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 September 1945.
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 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.