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Carolina Youth Coalition

EIN 82-4313926 · Charlotte, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PREPARE HIGH-PERFORMING, UNDER-RESOURCED STUDENTS TO ENTER, EXCEL, AND GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE.

Income
$4.7 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
38.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
24
Volunteers
115
Highest pay
$140,208, executive director

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 38.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 49% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 50% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 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

    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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    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 (3)
  1. $1.3 million spent. TORCH FELLOWS PROGRAMOUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAM PAIRS HIGH-ACHIEVING, UNDER-RESOURCED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CALLED "FELLOWS," WITH MENTORS AND A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF COLLEGE-PREPARATORY RESOURCES THROUGH A HIGH-TOUCH OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES PERSONALIZED COLLEGE APPLICATION GUIDANCE, ACT PREP, WRITING COACHING, COLLEGE TOURS, CAREER EXPLORATION, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND A TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY OF LIKE-MINDED PEERS. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE EACH FELLOW IS PREPARED TO IDENTIFY, GAIN ENTRANCE TO, AND SUCCESSFULLY MATRICULATE THROUGH A BEST-FIT COLLEGE WITH AS LITTLE DEBT AS POSSIBLE. THE PROGRAM IS PROVIDED AT NO COST TO FELLOWS.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)344 FELLOWS IN GRADES 9-12 WERE ENROLLED IN THE TORCH FELLOWS PROGRAM FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR, A 38% ANNUAL INCREASE. 87% OF HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WERE FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND 92% WERE PELL-ELIGIBLE.RESULTS:- 5-POINT AVERAGE ACT SCORE GROWTH; AVERAGE SCORE OF 23 (U.S. AVERAGE - 19.7)- 57% OF SENIORS MET 3+ ACT BENCHMARKS (U.S. AVERAGE - 22%)- 99% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT (4-YEAR (92%) | 2-YEAR (7%))-$25M IN SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS EARNED, $10M IN SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS REDEEMED- 68% OF SENIORS ATTENDING COLLEGE DEBT-FREE
  2. $298,556 spent. COLLEGE FELLOWS PROGRAMGRADUATES OF CYC'S TORCH FELLOWS PROGRAM TRANSITION TO BECOMING COLLEGE FELLOWS AND ARE ENROLLED IN THE COLLEGE PERSISTENCE PROGRAM TO ENSURE THEY SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION TO AND PERSIST THROUGH COLLEGE. SERVICES INCLUDE INDIVIDUALIZED COLLEGE MATRICULATION SUPPORT DURING FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE YEAR, CONNECTION TO INTERNSHIP AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES, CAREER COACHING AND MENTORING, AND EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE FELLOWS GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE WITH STRONG CAREER AND POSTGRADUATE PROSPECTS AND ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN MAKING A CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAM IS PROVIDED AT NO COST TO FELLOWS.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)209 COLLEGE FELLOWS WERE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR.RESULTS:- 97% FRESHMEN RETENTION RATE- 93% SOPHOMORE RETENTION RATE- 94% OF COLLEGE FELLOWS REMAINED ENROLLED OR HAVE COMPLETED A DEGREE PROGRAM WITHIN SIX YEARS.- 32 COLLEGE GRADUATES- CYC'S FIRST THREE COHORTS OF ALUMNI EARN AN AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOME OF $58,000 - 45% MORE THAN THEIR PARENTS' HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF $40,000.
  3. $34,832 spent. FUTURE FELLOWS PROGRAMTHE FUTURE FELLOWS PROGRAM IS A MULTI-WEEK SUMMER EXPERIENCE DESIGNED FOR INCOMING 9TH GRADERS WHO WANT TO BEGIN HIGH SCHOOL WITH CONFIDENCE, CURIOSITY, AND CONNECTION. FELLOWS EXPLORE A VARIETY OF CAREER PATHS, PREPARE FOR HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMICS, AND BEGIN FORMING BONDS THAT CARRY FORWARD INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR. 25 PARTICIPANTS WERE ENROLLED DURING THE INAUGURAL 2024 SUMMER.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)CORE ACTIVITIES & SUPPORT INCLUDE:- SUMMER PROGRAMMING BEFORE 9TH GRADE BEGINS- MATH AND ENGLISH SKILL-BUILDING AND ENRICHMENT- EXPOSURE TO COLLEGE AND CAREER POSSIBILITIES- TEAM-BUILDING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTTHE FUTURE FELLOWS PROGRAM IS WHERE STUDENTS ENTER THEIR CYC JOURNEY, AND WE MAKE SURE THEY ARE WELCOMED, PREPARED, AND READY TO GROW.

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 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 June 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 March 2019.

    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.