Charleston Promise Neighborhood
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To provide and facilitate comprehensive programs and services that support children, strengthen families, and mobilize residents to action.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 16.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 52%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 115
- Highest pay
- $149,890, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 16.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 2516 of 16 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 June 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 (4)
- $556,143 spent. Expanded Learning Time ProgramsOur afterschool programs operate Monday through Friday and use innovative techniques to close the achievement gap for approximately 200 students in grades pre-k through fifth. During the academic block, certified teachers work with small groups of students to support them in the completion of their homework and practice skills learned in school day lessons. During the extracurricular enrichment block, students participate in activities that increase fine motor skills, broaden stem skills, and expose them to all forms of art. The summer programs serve about 300 students and include small group learning, extracurricular enrichment and field trips. (Continued on Schedule O)Students in these programs demonstrate fewer behavioral incidences and improved attendance and academic performance compared to their peers.
- $124,766 spent. Community and Parent Engagement and Workforce Development Family Engagement Nights are a major part of our efforts to connect families, promote educational engagement, and foster a sense of community. These nights are designed to bring families together in a fun, educational environment that supports both learning and relationship building. Other family engagement events include literacy programs that support reading and comprehension, as well as special evenings like CPN Night at the Aquarium, where families explore marine life and conservation in an interactive, engaging way. Each event includes a warm meal provided by CPN, ensuring that families can relax, connect, and learn together. (Continued on Schedule O)We are committed to ensuring that neighborhood residents play an active role in community decision-making. Through its Community Engagement Council, we regularly bring together residents to plan engagement strategies, discuss community priorities, and gather feedback on important issues. The council's efforts are complemented by our work with Neighborhood Association presidents, who help increase meeting attendance and keep residents informed of local challenges and developments. This structured approach to engagement helps foster a connected, proactive community and ensures that residents' voices are at the heart of our initiatives. Our Workforce Development initiatives empower both students and adults to achieve long-term success. Middle schoolers gain mentorship, leadership training, life skills, and career exposure to prepare them for future opportunities, while adult residents receive career readiness support, job connections, and resource navigation to overcome barriers such as childcare, transportation, and financial stability. Together, these programs build confidence, open pathways, and strengthen the community.
- $146,729 spent. School Day Initiatives We provide targeted support to principals at some of the toughest schools in the state. By aligning with school leaders' visions, CPN provides targeted funding and resources that strengthen teacher retention, expand professional development opportunities, and enhance curriculum to meet students' needs. This support allows schools to attract and retain high- quality educators, foster innovative teaching practices, and build a culture of continuous improvement. Beyond the classroom, CPN partners with principals and staff to implement schoolwide turnaround strategies that address both academic and social-emotional learning, ensuring students are supported holistically. (Continued on Schedule O)Together, these efforts create sustainable change that improves student achievement, strengthens family engagement, and builds thriving school communities.
- $129,114 spent. Kidswell Community HealthStarted in 2011, KidsWell, Charleston Promise Neighborhood's school-based health and wellness program, brings comprehensive physical and behavioral health services directly to students at school through partnerships with MUSC and Fetter Health Care Network. By offering on-site screenings, treatment, and follow-up care, KidsWell eliminates barriers for families such as transportation and cost, ensuring that all students in CPN partner schools have equitable access to quality healthcare. Confidential telehealth therapy further supports students' mental and emotional well-being, helping them navigate challenges like anxiety, grief, trauma, and ADHD. With a focus on both prevention and ongoing care, KidsWell keeps students healthy, reduces time away from the classroom, ensures students are ready to learn, and strengthens the foundation for long-term academic and personal success.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 June 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 August 2011.
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.