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BURKE COUNTY SMART START INC

EIN 56-1852721 MORGANTON, NC

Revenue 2025
$5,721,154
Expenses 2025
$4,589,313

Program services were 92.8% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
B012
Classification
2100
Street
PO BOX 630

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2025

Mission

TO REACH OUT, BRING TOGETHER AND EMPOWER FAMILIES, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, AND GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF YOUNG CHILDREN

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO DEVELOP AND PROVIDE, THRU PUBLIC AND PRIVATE MEANS, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

  • CHILD CARE AND EDUCATION AFFORDABILITY INCLUDED THE STEP PROGRAM AND THE QUALITY BONUS FOR NON-SUBSIDIZED CHILDREN PROGRAM. THE STEP PROGRAM WAS A PART TIME PROGRAM CONDUCTED BY BURKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. CLASSROOMS SERVING 148 CHILDREN AT 3 SITES IN BURKE COUNTY. BY JUNE 30, 2026 100% OF THE CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN THE STEP PROGRAM AT LEAST 6 MONTHS DEMONSTRATED DEVELOPMENTAL GROWTH AS MEASURED BY THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM. THE QUALITY BONUS FOR NON-SUBSIDIZED CHILDREN PROGRAM WAS CONDUCTED BY AN ACCREDITED RESOURCE AND REFERRAL AGENCY. QUALITY BONUSES WERE PAID MONTHLY TO 26 CHILD CARE PROGRAMS SERVING 416 NON-SUBSIDIZED CHILDREN. BY JUNE 30, 2026, 100% OF THE CHILD CARE FACILITIES RECEIVING QUALITY BONUSES MAINTAINED OR INCREASED THEIR QUALITY AS MEASURED BY THE STAR LICENSURE RATING.

    Expenses $990,584 · Grants $990,584

  • NC PRE K - DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF NC PRE K PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK FOUR-YEAR-OLDS WHO ARE AT RISK OF FAILURE IN KINDERGARTEN. THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY PREKINDERGARTEN SERVICES IN ORDER TO ENHANCE KINDERGARTEN READINESS. 397 CHILDREN SERVED IN 29 CLASSROOMS AT 19 SITES LOCATED IN BURKE COUNTY.

    Expenses $2,128,714 · Grants $1,941,118

  • CHILDCARE & EDUCATION QUALITY PROGRAMS INCLUDE CHILD CARE PROVIDER INSURANCE PACKAGE, CHILD CARE RESOURCE & REFERRAL, AND DUAL SUBSIDY - TANF. CHILD CARE PROVIDER INSURANCE PACKAGE PROVIDED TO 90 CHILD CARE PROVIDERS IN 7 CENTERS & 2 HOMES. 69% OF PRIVATE HOME AND CENTERS IN 4 AND 5 STAR FACILITIES HAD HEALTH INSURANCE. CHILD CARE RESOURCE & REFERRAL PROVIDED 61 TRAININGS TO 228 CHILD CARE STAFF AND 40 CHILD CARE PROVIDERS. 100% OF PARTICIPATING CHILD CARE FACILITIES WHO COMPLETED A TRAINING MAINTAINED THEIR STAR RATING. DUAL SUBSIDY - TANF PROGRAM PAID, ON A DIRECT PER CHILD BASIS, SUBSIDY FOR 118 CHILDREN ELIGIBLE FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) OR THE CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT FUND (CCDF). THE AVERAGE STAR RATING FOR SUBSIDIZED CHILDREN WAS 4.71 STARS AND 93% OF SUBSIDIZED CHILDREN RECEIVED CARE IN A 4 OR 5 STAR FACILITY.

    Expenses $687,485 · Grants $687,485

  • FAMILY SUPPORT - FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS INCLUDING MOTHEREAD/FATHEREAD THAT COMBINED THE TEACHING OF LITERACY SKILLS WITH CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY EMPOWERMENT ISSUES SERVING 40 PARENTS. BY JUNE 30, 2026, 65% (26 OF 40) OF PARTICIPATING PARENTS INDICATED THEY READ MORE TO THEIR CHILDREN.

    Expenses $58,750 · Grants $46,425

  • HURRICANE RELIEF PROGRAM PROVIDED DISASTER RELIEF ASSISTANCE TO CHILD CARE CENTERS THAT SUSTAINED DAMAGE FOLLOWING THE AFTER MATH OF HURRICANE HELENE. TWO OF BURKE COUNTY'S LARGEST CHILD CARE CENTERS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED-CREATIVE BEGINNINGS AND QUAKER MEADOWS, WHICH IS RAN BY BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY ACTION. BOTH OF THE CHILD CARE CENTERS WERE AWARDS FUNDS FOR RENOVATIONS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND LOSS WAGES. TOTAL OF 319 CHILDREN WERE IMPACTED.

    Expenses $393,849 · Grants $393,849

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2025

As listed in Part VII of the 2025 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • KASEY GARDNER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • JESSICA JAMES

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • REV JASPER HEMPHILL

    VICE-CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JACQUIE GRADY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • REBECCA MCLEOD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • TINA MOSLEY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • DAVID L RUST JR

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • CHARLES M SCHLEIN

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • STEPHANIE ASHLEY

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • SALLY SANDY

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DENISE HUDSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • VALERIE SHOOK

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • KATHY SMITH

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $98,812
    From this org
    $80,369
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,443
    Hours/week
    40

  • JIM WILSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • KAY MILTON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • MIRANDA SMITH

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • JOSET TAYLOR

    BOARD CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • THADD HODGE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • BRIAN BARRIER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2025
    Revenue
    $5,721,154
    Expenses
    $4,589,313
    Contributions
    $5,707,089
    Grants paid
    $4,059,461
  • 2024
    Revenue
    $5,035,112
    Expenses
    $4,995,439
    Contributions
    $5,027,882
    Grants paid
    $4,522,543
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $4,379,239
    Expenses
    $4,354,960
    Contributions
    $4,376,760
    Grants paid
    $3,869,051
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $4,093,722
    Expenses
    $4,131,330
    Contributions
    $4,091,590
    Grants paid
    $3,750,600

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $4,120,775
    Expenses
    $4,124,716
    Assets (EOY)
    $107,218

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $4,299,524
    Expenses
    $4,289,977
    Assets (EOY)
    $112,195

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $3,942,902
    Expenses
    $3,936,195
    Assets (EOY)
    $128,146

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all.

Grants made

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Where these grants went next →

Grants received

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 26 October 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2025, the newest we have parsed for this organization.