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West Marion Inc

EIN 83-0671471 · Marion, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 45% of its spending went to programs.

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 WEST MARION INC IS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR RESIDENTS AND OVERCOME RACIAL BARRIERS BY BUILDING BRIDGES IN MCDOWELL COUNTY. WE DO THIS BY SHOWING COMPASSION, ADVOCATING FOR EQUITABLE POLICY REFORM, PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SHARING RESOURCES, EMPOWERING YOUTH AND CREATING EQUITABLE OUTCOMES FOR ALL.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
45%
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
7
Volunteers
120
Highest pay
$121,138, 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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 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 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    45% 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $308,851 spent. WEST MARION'S TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM: WEST MARION INC. ADVANCES HEALTH EQUITY FOR BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES THROUGH COMMUNITY-LED INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO ADDRESS RACIAL DISPARITIES IN HEALTHCARE ACCESS, QUALITY OF CARE, AND OVERALL WELL-BEING. THROUGH ITS ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION-SUPPORTED "EQUITY IN HEALTH FOR BLACK & BROWN COMMUNITIES" INITIATIVE, THE ORGANIZATION ENGAGES DIRECTLY IMPACTED RESIDENTS, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY BARRIERS ROOTED IN STRUCTURAL RACISM AND SOCIAL INEQUITIES. WEST MARION INC. WORKS TO CO-CREATE CULTURALLY INFORMED POLICIES, STRENGTHEN TRUST BETWEEN HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, AND PROMOTE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.WEST MARION INC. UTILIZES BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD FOUNDATION FUNDING TO ADVANCE FOOD JUSTICE AND HEALTH EQUITY INITIATIVES THAT ADDRESS CHILDHOOD OBESITY, FOOD INSECURITY, AND SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO HEALTHY LIVING IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. THROUGH ITS FOOD ADVOCACY WORK, WEST MARION INC. PARTNERS WITH RESIDENTS, YOUTH, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, SCHOOLS, AND LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO FRESH, CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE FOODS WHILE PROMOTING POLICY, SYSTEMS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES THAT SUPPORT HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES. PROGRAMS INCLUDE COMMUNITY GARDENS, YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, FRESH FOOD DISTRIBUTION, AND COMMUNITY-CENTERED HEALTH STRATEGIES FOCUSED ON BLACK, BROWN, AND RURAL FAMILIES DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY HEALTH DISPARITIESWE INCREASE COMMUNITY CAPACITY TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO TRAUMA, MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND BEHAVIORAL DISTRESS AMONG YOUTH WHILE IMPROVING ACCESS TO CULTURALLY ALIGNED SUPPORT RESOURCES AND PREVENTION SERVICES.
  2. $316,959 spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES: WEST MARION INC. ENGAGES RESIDENTS IN COMMUNITY-LED FORUMS AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TO ADVANCE RACIAL EQUITY AND SYSTEMS CHANGE IN MCDOWELL COUNTY, NC. THE ORGANIZATION FACILITATES REGULAR MEETINGS, PARTICIPATORY PLANNING, AND ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES THAT ELEVATE RESIDENT VOICE, STRENGTHEN MULTIRACIAL PARTNERSHIPS, AND INFORM LOCAL DECISION-MAKING ON ISSUES IMPACTING COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.
  3. $53,664 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT: IS MODELED FROM THE ORIGINAL WEST MARION COMMUNITY FORUM THAT HAS EXPANDED INTO TWO OTHER COMMUNITIES TO ADDRESS ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY THOSE RESIDENTS. WEST MARION OVERSEES THE OPERATIONS FOR THESE INITIATIVES.
  4. $40,778 spent. CLIMATE LISTENING PROJECT: THE CLIMATE LISTENING PROJECT CONNECTS HOPEFUL CONVERSATIONS ON CLIMATE AND COMMUNITY THROUGH STORYTELLING, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND FILM. THE WEST MARION COMMUNITY FORUM NONPROFIT IS A FISCAL PARTNER WITH THEIR SHIFT HAPPENS IN COMMUNITY WORK FOR A LOCAL EQUITY MODEL FOR ARTISTS AND ACTIVISTS SHIFTING CHANGE FROM THEGROUND UP. THIS DEEP LISTENING EFFORT IS BASED IN THE GULF STATES. THIS WORK WILL CURATE AND CONNECT LOCAL STORIES AND CREATIVE DEPTH TO EFFORTS TO STOP LNG EXPORTS. THIS PROJECT WILL SHARE CONTENT FOR ORGANIZING IMPACT WITH VISIONS FOR A THRIVING FUTURE.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. 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.

  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 7, 2026.

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