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Knothole Foundation Inc

EIN 82-4726399 · Charlotte, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

KNOTHOLE'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE SPORT OF BASEBALL IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND TO CREATE LIFE OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO FACILITIES, EDUCATION, HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROTOCOLS.

Income
$998,496
Spending
$548,770
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
-36.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$15,000, secretary

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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $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 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $256,463 spent. THE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUNDS DEVOTED TO CAPITAL THRU 2021 SHIFTED TO OPERATIONS IN 2022 AND CONTINUED THRU 2024 AS THE MAJORITY OF FIELD/FACILITY DEVELOPMENT WAS COMPLETED AND ONGOING MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF TEAMS, CAMPS, CLINICS, EVENTS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH WAS EMPHASIZED. THIS HAS PROVIDED THE FOUNDATION FOR FULLY SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND RELATED MISSION OF INCREASING DIVERSITY AND ACCESS FOR YOUTH BASEBALL, AFFORDING YOUTH AGES 4-18 THE BENEFIT OF TEAM SPORTS, ALONG WITH THE WRAP-AROUND SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION AND LIFE SKILLS.
  2. $256,462 spent. PROGRAMMING CONTINUED TO SCALE SIGNIFICANTLY AS THE NUMBER OF YOUTH PLAYING AFFILIATED ON TEAMS INCREASED AS DID THE NUMBER OF YOUTH INTRODUCED TO BASEBALL (1,700), MANY FOR THE FIRST TIME, THROUGH CAMPS AND CLINICS CONDUCTED AT THE DREAM FIELDS AND IN COMMUNITY. KEY EVENTS WERE ALSO PLANNED AND EXECUTED (I.E. 5TH ANNUAL HBCU CAMP/SHOWCASE; 3RD ANNUAL WESTSIDE STORY SPRING BREAK TOURNAMENT; NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CMPD; BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT). EDUCATION CONTINUED TO BE IMBEDDED IN THE FABRIC OF BASEBALL-THEMED ACTIVITIES (AS MEASURED BY OF READING HOURS; % PLAYERS ENGAGED IN READING). AFFORDABLE ACCESS CONTINUED TO BE AN AREA OF FOCUS WITH MOST ACTIVITIES DELIVERED AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS AND OVER 90% SUBSIDIZED FOR PLAYER PARTICIPATION ON TEAMS.

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 November 6, 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 December 2018.

    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 November 4, 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.