Charleston Leaders Foundation Inc
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 CHARLESTON LEADERS IS TO FOSTER AND DEVELOP LEADERSHIP IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS MISSION BY ENGAING OUR BUINSESS COMMUNITY WITH VARIOUS PROGRAMMING THROUGHT THE YEAR, CREATING AND SUPPORTING SCHOOL INITIATIVES THAT DEVELOP LEADERSHIP AT A YOUNGER AGE, AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP THROUGH PROGRAMMING AND SUPPORT.
- Income
- $90,807
- Spending
- $100,067
- Reserves
- -7.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 68%
- Highest pay
- $52,000, executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 6 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 413% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (3)
- $61,474 spent. FALL LEADER FUNDRAISER - THIS ENGAGEMENT EVENT BRINGS LEADERS TOGETHER TO SUPPORT AND GROW A LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY. 2024 WAS OUR INAUGURAL YEAR FOR THIS EVENT. WE HELD A "YACHT ROCK" FUNDRAISER IN MT PLEASANT. IT WAS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED BY OUR COMMUNITY WITH OVER 235 ATTENDEES, 15 SPONSORSHIPS AND FEATURED A LIVE AND SILENT AUCTION PROVIDING FUNDING TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION. IN 2024, WE RAISED $61,366 AT THIS EVENT.
- $25,110 spent. LEADER GOLF EVENT - THIS FUNDRAISER EVENT OCCURS ANNUALLY AND IS WELL RECEIVED IN THE COMMUNITY. IT CONTINUES TO GROW IN POPULARITY AND FUNDRAISING. IT SUPPORTS OUR MISSION THROUGH ENGAGING LEADERS AROUND OURCAUSE. THE GOAL IS TO ENGAGE OUR LEADERS IN AN ACTIVITY AND DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS THAT GROW YEAR OVER YEAR. THROUGH THIS STYLE OF FUNDRAISING WE HAVE A CAPTIVE AND EXCITED AUDIENCE OF BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS THAT LEARN ABOUT OUR MISSION ON A DEEPER LEVEL. THE PROCEEDS OF THIS EVENT SUPPORTS OUR MISSION AND MONETARILY SUPPORTS AND FUNDS OUR NEW LEADER ACADEMY PROGRAM. IN 2024 WE RAISED $25,560 AT THIS EVENT
- $10,805 spent. LEADER ACADEMY IS A PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORES TO DISCOVER LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL WITHIN THEMSELVES. THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO MATCH STUDENTS WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS, COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES AND WILL PROVIDE MONTHLY INTERACTION WITHCOMMUNITY LEADERS AND PARTNERS IN A VARIETY OF DISCUSSION OPPORTUNITIES TO EXAMINE ISSUES FACING OUR REGION. ALL SESSIONS AND PROGRAM COSTS ARE PROVIDED BY CHARLESTON LEADERS AND THEIR BUSINESS COMMUNITY PARTNERS. PARTICIPATION WILL BE FULLY FUNDED THROUGH DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIP FROM OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS AND ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDING. SESSIONS WILL BE HELD ATTHE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON AT THE RILEY CENTER ON LOCKWOOD BLVD. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. TRANSPORTATION FOR LEADER FIELD TRIPS WILL BE PROVIDED BY CHARLESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS AFTER BREAKFAST AT THE RILEY CENTER.SOME ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS WILL INCLUDE: ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, EXPRESSION OF INTEREST, FULL PARTICIPATION, LEADERSHIP DEMONSTRATION, AND COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATIONS. THROUGH DONATIONS AND GRANT FUNDING IN 2024, THIS PROGRAM RAISED $10,805
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2018.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.