Laurel Community Center Org Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
(continued from page 1) and Wi-Fi, outdoors learning and an environmental studies classroom, a Welcome Center focusing on the cultural and natural heritage of the Laurel region, and will foster the exchange of information and gathering of resources through meetings, lectures, workshops, and event spaces in an effort to serve and encourage the residents of the Laurel Community as well as greater Madison County.
- Income
- $180,318
- Spending
- $222,692
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 64%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 120
- Highest pay
- $38,040, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 39% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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, 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)
- $174,737 spent. Rental Programs We have two types of rentals. Long term spaces are leased by the year in our old classrooms. These affordable studio spaces for local artists and entrepreneurs stay full and we have a waiting list. We also offer short term rentals for meetings and Birthday parties. These are also utilized regularly by our community.
- Ecology Studies LCC has a very heavy focus on ecology and the natural heritage of our region. Thanks to the Laurel River Room, our hands on STEM classroom, we have many programs including STREAM Team (science group for local kids), we help organize and host Aquatic Insect workshop for professionals, Kids Fishing Day and numerous outside groups including, 4-H, PAGE program, and local (public and private) schools come to LCC for ecology studies.
- Hurricane Helene Relief Hub Starting October 1st, 2024, the Laurel Community Center became a resource hub as a response to Hurricane Helene that devastated WNC. Our 6,500 square foot gym and 2 - 1,000+ square foot rooms were full of supplies for our community and beyond. For two months, LCC was open 12 hour days 6 days a week distributing and receiving supplies. Over two months, we distributed more than 5,000 hot meals, many prepared by our meal site staff volunteering their time. Eighty-five volunteers contributed over 10,000 hours, serving not only our local area but also sending critical supplies to remote and urban areas alike, including Pensacola, Buladean, Swannanoa, Black Mountain, and more.
Source: Form 990 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 December 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.