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School of Government Services

EIN 85-0992406 · Chapel Hill, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FACILITATE THE WORK OF THE UNC SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF NORTH CAROLINIANS BY ENGAGING IN PRACTICAL SCHOLARSHIP THAT HELPS PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND CITIZENS UNDERSTAND AND IMPROVE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Income
$7.5 million
Spending
$6.9 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
45
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$399,915, dean school of government

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

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 75% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs.

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 20% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    1 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (1)
  1. $6.6 million spent. SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES WILL PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE UNC SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT. THE SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT PROVIDES RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, CONSULTING AND INSTRUCTION TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, THEIR EMPLOYEES, AND OTHER INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS TO HELP SOLVE A WIDE VARIETY OF CHALLENGES FACED IN THE FURTHERANCE OF PROVIDING SERVICES TO CITIZENS. THE SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT OPERATES WITH NON-PARTISAN AND NON-ADVOCACY PRINCIPALS. EACH YEAR THE SCHOOL REACHES OVER 12,000 LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THROUGH COURSES, INCLUDING OVER 5,000 PAID INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATIONS WHICH GENERATE OVER $3M PER YEAR. THE SCHOOL ALSO ENGAGES IN OVER 65 NEW CONSULTING CONTRACTS EACH YEAR GENERATING OVER $1M PER YEAR. IN ADDITION TO THESE SERVICES THE SCHOOL ALSO PROVIDES SECRETARIAT SERVICES TO ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING STATE, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES SUCH AS THE NORTH CAROLINA CITY AND COUNTY MANAGERS ASSOCIATION AND THE CONSORTIUM OF UNIVERSITY PUBLIC SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS.

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 September 2020.

    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.