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I58 Inc

EIN 81-3858015 · Chester, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EMPOWER LOWER TO MODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS THROUGH COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION INITIATIVES SUCH AS HOUSING, NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION, AND FAMILY SERVICES.

Income
$778,134
Spending
$661,825
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
-3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
2
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$55,417, development

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 84% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% 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

Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (5)
  1. $418,894 spent. HOME REPAIR PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS IN MAKING NEEDED REPAIRS TO THEIR PRIMARY RESIDENCE TO ADDRESS CRITICAL LIFE, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES. THIS IS DONE WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES SUCH AS, SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSING TRUST FUND, HUD OLDER ADULT HOME MODIFICATION FUNDS, AND DUKE WEATHERIZATION FUNDS. EACH FUNDING SOURCE HAS DIFFERENT APPLICATION PROCESSES AND WAITING LIST.
  2. $176,600 spent. RENTAL HOUSING PROGRAM - THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE COMPLETED REHABILITATION OR RECOVERY PROGRAMS. RENT RATES ARE TYPICALLLY LOWER THAN MARKET RATES AND ARE OFTEN SUBSIDIZED THROUGH OTHER STATE HOUSING URBAN AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. I58 UNDERSTANDS THIS CAN BE CRUCIAL FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT LIVING. BY OFFERING SUPPORT THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, I58 IS HELPING TO ENSURE THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE A STABLE ENVIRONMENT AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY TOWARDS SELF-SUFFICIENCY. IT IS A WAY TO EMPOWER THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES AND THRIVE AFTER OVERCOMING CHALLENGES.
  3. $50,568 spent. TRANSITIONAL MEN'S HOUSING PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO SERVE AS A RESIDENCE FOR CERTAIN MEN IN THE COMMUNITY. THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSE ITSELF FEATURES SIX BEDROOMS AND THREE BATHROOMS. THE HOUSE HAD BEEN ABANDONED FOR OVER A DECADE AND WAS PREVIOUSLY ENCUMBERED BY A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT IMPOSED BY HUD. IT NOW PROVIDES A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT FOR MEN WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A 90-DAY REHABILITATION PROGRAM AND WISHES TO CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY OF RECOVERY. I58 OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE IN JOB PLACEMENT AND CREDIT BUILDING, ENABLING THESE INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY IN AS LITTLE AS 18 MONTHS AND EMPOWERING THEM TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENT LIVING. THE RESIDENTS OF THE HOUSE CONTRIBUTE 80 PER WEEK, WHICH GOES TOWARDS COVERING THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE MORTGAGE, UTILITIES, INSURANCE, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PROPERTY. TRANSITIONAL MEN'S HOUSING PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO SERVE AS A RESIDENCE FOR CERTAIN MEN IN THE COMMUNITY. THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSE ITSELF FEATURES SIX BEDROOMS AND THREE BATHROOMS. THE HOUSE HAD BEEN ABANDONED FOR OVER A DECADE AND WAS PREVIOUSLY ENCUMBERED BY A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT IMPOSED BY HUD. IT NOW PROVIDES A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT FOR MEN WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A 90-DAY REHABILITATION PROGRAM AND WISHES TO CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY OF RECOVERY. I58 OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE IN JOB PLACEMENT AND CREDIT BUILDING, ENABLING THESE INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY IN AS LITTLE AS 18 MONTHS AND EMPOWERING THEM TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENT LIVING. THE RESIDENTS OF THE HOUSE CONTRIBUTE 80 PER WEEK, WHICH GOES TOWARDS COVERING THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE MORTGAGE, UTILITIES, INSURANCE, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PROPERTY.
  4. $300 spent. THROUGH I58'S HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM, A PIVOTAL PARTNERSHIP WAS FORGED WITH YORK TECHNICAL COLLEGE IN ROCK HILL, SC, ENABLING I58 TO CONSTRUCT 900 SQ. FT., 2-BEDROOM / 2-BATHROOM HOMES. THESE HOMES ARE METICULOUSLY CONSTRUCTED ON CAMPUS IN ROCK HILL, SC, AND THEN TRANSPORTED TO A LOT IN CHESTER COUNTY, SC, THAT WAS EITHER PURCHASED OR DONATED TO I58. THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF CHESTER, THE CITY HAS DONATED LOTS TO I58. THIS COLLABORATION NOT ONLY PROVIDED STUDENTS WITH VALUABLE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF CONSTRUCTION BUT ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES I58'S CONSTRUCTION COSTS. WITH THE REDUCTION OF THE CONSTRUCTION COST, THIS ALLOWS I58 TO PROVIDE A FORGIVABLE SECOND MORTGAGE TO MAKE THE BORROWING AMOUNT LESS FOR THE HOMEOWNER FROM A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION. THE FORGIVABLE SECOND MORTGAGE IS USUALLY 10 - 15% DISCOUNT OF THE ASKING PRICE. ONCE THE HOUSE IS APPRAISED, THE ASKING PRICE IS THEN SET. AS LONG AS THE HOMEOWNER PAYS THEIR NOTE TO THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION WHICH HOLDS THE FIRST MORTGAGE, THEY NEVER OWE I58 ANYTHING. THE GOAL IS TO KEEP THE MARKET VALUE OF THE COMMUNITY STABLE AND PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT THE SAME TIME. THEREFORE, BY GIVING THE NEW HOMEOWNER THE FORGIVABLE SECOND MORTGAGE, THIS ALLOWS THE HOMEOWNER TO COME OUT ON TOP WITH EQUITY IN THE HOME FROM DAY ONE. WHILE THE HOUSE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION BY I58'S PARTNER, I58 IS WORKING WITH POTENTIAL CLIENTS TO HELP THEM REPAIR AND/OR ESTABLISH THEIR CREDIT, LEARN HOW TO WORK WITHIN A BUDGET AND INSTILL THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE WITHIN THE HOUSE TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY OF THE HOUSE. THE GOAL IS FOR THE CLIENT TO SUCCEED IN THEIR NEW JOURNEY AS HOMEOWNERS.
  5. THROUGH I58'S HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM, A PIVOTAL PARTNERSHIP WAS FORGED WITH YORK TECHNICAL COLLEGE IN ROCK HILL, SC, ENABLING I58 TO CONSTRUCT 900 SQ. FT., 2-BEDROOM / 2-BATHROOM HOMES. THESE HOMES ARE METICULOUSLY CONSTRUCTED ON CAMPUS IN ROCK HILL, SC, AND THEN TRANSPORTED TO A LOT IN CHESTER COUNTY, SC, THAT WAS EITHER PURCHASED OR DONATED TO I58. THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF CHESTER, THE CITY HAS DONATED LOTS TO I58. THIS COLLABORATION NOT ONLY PROVIDED STUDENTS WITH VALUABLE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF CONSTRUCTION BUT ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES I58'S CONSTRUCTION COSTS. WITH THE REDUCTION OF THE CONSTRUCTION COST, THIS ALLOWS I58 TO PROVIDE A FORGIVABLE SECOND MORTGAGE TO MAKE THE BORROWING AMOUNT LESS FOR THE HOMEOWNER FROM A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION. THE FORGIVABLE SECOND MORTGAGE IS USUALLY 10 - 15% DISCOUNT OF THE ASKING PRICE. ONCE THE HOUSE IS APPRAISED, THE ASKING PRICE IS THEN SET. AS LONG AS THE HOMEOWNER PAYS THEIR NOTE TO THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION WHICH HOLDS THE FIRST MORTGAGE, THEY NEVER OWE I58 ANYTHING. THE GOAL IS TO KEEP THE MARKET VALUE OF THE COMMUNITY STABLE AND PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT THE SAME TIME. THEREFORE, BY GIVING THE NEW HOMEOWNER THE FORGIVABLE SECOND MORTGAGE, THIS ALLOWS THE HOMEOWNER TO COME OUT ON TOP WITH EQUITY IN THE HOME FROM DAY ONE. WHILE THE HOUSE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION BY I58'S PARTNER, I58 IS WORKING WITH POTENTIAL CLIENTS TO HELP THEM REPAIR AND/OR ESTABLISH THEIR CREDIT, LEARN HOW TO WORK WITHIN A BUDGET AND INSTILL THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE WITHIN THE HOUSE TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY OF THE HOUSE. THE GOAL IS FOR THE CLIENT TO SUCCEED IN THEIR NEW JOURNEY AS HOMEOWNERS.

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

  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 December 2025.

    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 April 2017.

    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.