Camp Cole Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Camp Cole Foundation, Inc. is a camp and retreat center thoughtfully designed forchildren, teens, and adults facing illnesses, disabilities, and life challenges located in Columbia, South Carolina. The mission of Camp Cole is to provide a safe, accessible, and inspirational gathering place where people can connect, share, encourage, and shine.
- Income
- $2.3 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 41.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 50%
- Employees
- 42
- Volunteers
- 694
- Highest pay
- $115,000, executive dir.
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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 41.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 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 (1)
- $1.7 million spent. Camp Cole generates program service fee revenues from its camp programs. Camp sessions are conducted throughout the year, with the majority being held in the summer. Fees are due in advance of the camp sessions and recorded as deferred revenue on the statement of financial position until camp session is held. At December 31, 2025, Camp Cole had deferred revenue in the amount of $15,100.Program service fees are established by Camp Cole; however, the full cost of camp operations is subsidized by contributions and other support. The difference between the fee charged to participants and the actual cost of providing camp services is considered scholarship expense and is netted with program service fee income on the statement of activities. Scholarship expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $95,000.
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
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 December 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 2018.
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.