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Matthews Charter Academy

EIN 80-0899073 · Matthews, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO OPERATE A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL AND TO PROVIDE EDUCATION TO CHILDREN IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE BASED ON RIGOROUS TEACHING METHODS, PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT, STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY, AND BASIC MORAL VALUES. ENROLLMENT IS OPEN TO ALL APPROPRIATELY AGED CHILDREN WITHOUT REGARD TO GENDER, ETHNIC BACKGROUND, DISABILITY, AND/OR RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION.

Income
$9.5 million
Spending
$9.5 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
222

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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 90% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (2)
  1. $7.1 million spent. OPERATED AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION ORGANIZED AS A PUBLIC SCHOOL ACADEMY. THE ACADEMY PROVIDES EDUCATION, AT NO COST TO THE PARENT, TO STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE. THE ACADEMY OPERATES UNDER A CHARTER APPROVED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
  2. $327,478 spent. OPERATED A SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM AT THE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL DESCRIBED ABOVE. THE SCHOOL OFFERS FREE OR REDUCED BREAKFAST AND/OR LUNCH FOR FAMILIES WHO QUALIFY. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT STUDENTS WHO EAT THEIR BREAKFAST IN THE MORNING EXHIBIT BETTER MEMORY RETENTION. FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM WAS PROVIDED BY THE USDA FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $258,644.

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

  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 September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2015 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2015.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2017.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.