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Passes our checks

Vision by Design

EIN 88-1467756 · Summerton, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceFair52 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 49% 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

A PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES FOOD, RECREATION, EDUCATION, AND CARE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AS WELL AS OTHER MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY OF CLARENDON COUNTY THAT NEED SUPPORT.

Income
$289,730
Spending
$283,696
Spent on programs
49%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
0

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: 34 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 38% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    49% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 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 (1)
  1. $138,410 spent. PROGRAM(1) MEALS ON WHEELS IS ONE OF THE PROGRAMS VISION BY DESIGN (VBD) CONDUCTS- IT IS A FOOD DELIVERY SYSTEM WHICH PROVIDES MEALS TO HOMEBOUND SENIOR CITIZENS ON A WEEKLY BASIS. VBD SERVES APPROXIMATELY 100 SENIOR CITIZENS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. VBD PURCHASES THE MEALS, PREPARES THEM IN BOXES, DELIVERS THE MEALS, AND MEDICAID MEAL DELIVERY REIMBURSES THEM AFTER THE FACT. THIS SERVICE IS PROVIDED ONE DAY PER WEEK TO MEDICAID RECIPIENTS. THE BOXES DELIVERED CONTAIN FIVE FULL MEALS, SNACKS, AND MILK. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO ENSURE THAT HOMEBOUND SENIOR CITIZENS ARE RECEIVING PROPER NUTRITION AND CARE. PROGRAMS(2)&(3) SANTEE LYNCHES IN-HOUSE MEALS & SASSY SENIORS ARE TWO MORE PROGRAMS OFFERED BY VBD. (1) IS A MEAL SERVICE THAT PROVIDES HOT PREPARED CATERED MEALS AT TWO CLARENDON COUNTY LOCATIONS. SENIORS WITH THE CAPABILITY OF DRIVING THEMSELVES, COME TO THE CENTERS, AND GATHER TO ENJOY FREE MEALS. (2) OFFERS FUN ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS TO PARTAKE IN.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 April 2022.

    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.