﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Return xmlns="http://www.irs.gov/efile" returnVersion="2023v5.1">
  <ReturnHeader binaryAttachmentCnt="0">
    <ReturnTs>2024-10-29T11:36:53-04:00</ReturnTs>
    <TaxPeriodEndDt>2024-06-30</TaxPeriodEndDt>
    <PreparerFirmGrp>
      <PreparerFirmEIN>464376289</PreparerFirmEIN>
      <PreparerFirmName>
        <BusinessNameLine1Txt>Gray &amp; Hammond Accountants</BusinessNameLine1Txt>
      </PreparerFirmName>
      <PreparerUSAddress>
        <AddressLine1Txt>PO Box 938</AddressLine1Txt>
        <CityNm>Morganton</CityNm>
        <StateAbbreviationCd>NC</StateAbbreviationCd>
        <ZIPCd>28680</ZIPCd>
      </PreparerUSAddress>
    </PreparerFirmGrp>
    <ReturnTypeCd>990EZ</ReturnTypeCd>
    <TaxPeriodBeginDt>2023-07-01</TaxPeriodBeginDt>
    <Filer>
      <EIN>261074825</EIN>
      <BusinessName>
        <BusinessNameLine1Txt>EXPLORING JOARA FOUNDATION INC</BusinessNameLine1Txt>
      </BusinessName>
      <BusinessNameControlTxt>EXPL</BusinessNameControlTxt>
      <USAddress>
        <AddressLine1Txt>PO BOX 296</AddressLine1Txt>
        <CityNm>Morganton</CityNm>
        <StateAbbreviationCd>NC</StateAbbreviationCd>
        <ZIPCd>286800296</ZIPCd>
      </USAddress>
    </Filer>
    <BusinessOfficerGrp>
      <PersonNm>Mike Carpenter</PersonNm>
      <PersonTitleTxt>TREASURER</PersonTitleTxt>
      <PhoneNum>8282281566</PhoneNum>
      <SignatureDt>2024-09-26</SignatureDt>
      <DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd>true</DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd>
    </BusinessOfficerGrp>
    <IRSResponsiblePrtyInfoCurrInd>true</IRSResponsiblePrtyInfoCurrInd>
    <PreparerPersonGrp>
      <PreparerPersonNm>Denise J Hammond</PreparerPersonNm>
      <PTIN>P00314689</PTIN>
      <PhoneNum>8284377058</PhoneNum>
      <PreparationDt>2024-10-29</PreparationDt>
    </PreparerPersonGrp>
    <TaxYr>2023</TaxYr>
    <BuildTS>2024-10-15 13:58:12Z</BuildTS>
  </ReturnHeader>
  <ReturnData documentCnt="3">
    <IRS990EZ documentId="IRS990EZ">
      <MethodOfAccountingCashInd>X</MethodOfAccountingCashInd>
      <ScheduleBNotRequiredInd>X</ScheduleBNotRequiredInd>
      <Organization501c3Ind referenceDocumentId="990A">X</Organization501c3Ind>
      <TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd>X</TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd>
      <GrossReceiptsAmt>92021</GrossReceiptsAmt>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartIInd>X</InfoInScheduleOPartIInd>
      <ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtcAmt>39242</ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtcAmt>
      <ProgramServiceRevenueAmt>47963</ProgramServiceRevenueAmt>
      <MembershipDuesAmt>2505</MembershipDuesAmt>
      <InvestmentIncomeAmt>686</InvestmentIncomeAmt>
      <FundraisingGrossIncomeAmt>425</FundraisingGrossIncomeAmt>
      <SpecialEventsDirectExpensesAmt>1876</SpecialEventsDirectExpensesAmt>
      <SpecialEventsNetIncomeLossAmt>-1451</SpecialEventsNetIncomeLossAmt>
      <OtherRevenueTotalAmt>1200</OtherRevenueTotalAmt>
      <TotalRevenueAmt>90145</TotalRevenueAmt>
      <BenefitsPaidToOrForMembersAmt>140</BenefitsPaidToOrForMembersAmt>
      <SalariesOtherCompEmplBnftAmt>15394</SalariesOtherCompEmplBnftAmt>
      <FeesAndOtherPymtToIndCntrctAmt>2576</FeesAndOtherPymtToIndCntrctAmt>
      <OccupancyRentUtltsAndMaintAmt>7485</OccupancyRentUtltsAndMaintAmt>
      <PrintingPublicationsPostageAmt>3516</PrintingPublicationsPostageAmt>
      <OtherExpensesTotalAmt>24864</OtherExpensesTotalAmt>
      <TotalExpensesAmt>53975</TotalExpensesAmt>
      <ExcessOrDeficitForYearAmt>36170</ExcessOrDeficitForYearAmt>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt>267630</NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt>303800</NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartIIInd>X</InfoInScheduleOPartIIInd>
      <CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp>
        <BOYAmt>18689</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>67906</EOYAmt>
      </CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp>
      <LandAndBuildingsGrp>
        <BOYAmt>250804</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>236733</EOYAmt>
      </LandAndBuildingsGrp>
      <OtherAssetsTotalDetail>
        <BOYAmt>0</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>0</EOYAmt>
      </OtherAssetsTotalDetail>
      <Form990TotalAssetsGrp>
        <BOYAmt>269493</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>304639</EOYAmt>
      </Form990TotalAssetsGrp>
      <SumOfTotalLiabilitiesGrp>
        <BOYAmt>1863</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>839</EOYAmt>
      </SumOfTotalLiabilitiesGrp>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp>
        <BOYAmt>267630</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>303800</EOYAmt>
      </NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp>
      <PrimaryExemptPurposeTxt>TO SUPPORT ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY OF NATIV</PrimaryExemptPurposeTxt>
      <ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp>
        <DescriptionProgramSrvcAccomTxt>EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS RELATED TO SCIENTIFIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEYS AND EXCAVATIONS OF NATIVE AMERICAN AND EARLY EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS IN WESTERN NC.</DescriptionProgramSrvcAccomTxt>
        <ProgramServiceExpensesAmt>4096</ProgramServiceExpensesAmt>
      </ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp>
      <TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt>4096</TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>Mike Carpenter</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>Treasurer</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>0.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>Rob Hooks</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>Chair</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>0.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRptInd>false</ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRptInd>
      <ChgMadeToOrgnzngDocNotRptInd>false</ChgMadeToOrgnzngDocNotRptInd>
      <OrganizationHadUBIInd>false</OrganizationHadUBIInd>
      <SubjectToProxyTaxInd>false</SubjectToProxyTaxInd>
      <OrganizationDissolvedEtcInd>false</OrganizationDissolvedEtcInd>
      <Form1120PolFiledInd>false</Form1120PolFiledInd>
      <MadeLoansToFromOfficersInd>false</MadeLoansToFromOfficersInd>
      <EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd>false</EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd>
      <ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd>false</ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd>
      <StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd>NC</StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd>
      <BooksInCareOfDetail>
        <PersonNm>Mike Carpenter</PersonNm>
        <USAddress>
          <AddressLine1Txt>1614 8th St Cir SE</AddressLine1Txt>
          <CityNm>Hickory</CityNm>
          <StateAbbreviationCd>NC</StateAbbreviationCd>
          <ZIPCd>28602</ZIPCd>
        </USAddress>
        <PhoneNum>8284392463</PhoneNum>
      </BooksInCareOfDetail>
      <ForeignFinancialAccountInd>false</ForeignFinancialAccountInd>
      <ForeignOfficeInd>false</ForeignOfficeInd>
      <DonorAdvisedFndsInd>false</DonorAdvisedFndsInd>
      <OperateHospitalInd>false</OperateHospitalInd>
      <TanningServicesProvidedInd>false</TanningServicesProvidedInd>
      <RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd>false</RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd>
      <TransactionWithControlEntInd>false</TransactionWithControlEntInd>
      <PoliticalCampaignActyInd>false</PoliticalCampaignActyInd>
      <LobbyingActivitiesInd>false</LobbyingActivitiesInd>
      <SchoolOperatingInd>false</SchoolOperatingInd>
      <TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd>false</TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd>
      <PartVIOfCompOfHghstPdEmplTxt>NONE</PartVIOfCompOfHghstPdEmplTxt>
      <PartVIHghstPdCntrctProfSrvcTxt>NONE</PartVIHghstPdCntrctProfSrvcTxt>
      <FiledScheduleAInd>true</FiledScheduleAInd>
    </IRS990EZ>
    <IRS990ScheduleA documentId="990A">
      <PubliclySupportedOrg509a2Ind>X</PubliclySupportedOrg509a2Ind>
      <GiftsGrantsContrisRcvd509Grp>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>26275</CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>20599</CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>28730</CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>28541</CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearAmt>41747</CurrentTaxYearAmt>
        <TotalAmt>145892</TotalAmt>
      </GiftsGrantsContrisRcvd509Grp>
      <GrossReceiptsAdmissionsGrp>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>2790</CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>650</CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>15714</CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>7394</CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearAmt>47963</CurrentTaxYearAmt>
        <TotalAmt>74511</TotalAmt>
      </GrossReceiptsAdmissionsGrp>
      <GrossReceiptsNonUnrltBusGrp>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>2790</CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearAmt>425</CurrentTaxYearAmt>
        <TotalAmt>3215</TotalAmt>
      </GrossReceiptsNonUnrltBusGrp>
      <Total509Grp>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>31855</CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>21249</CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>44444</CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>35935</CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearAmt>90135</CurrentTaxYearAmt>
        <TotalAmt>223618</TotalAmt>
      </Total509Grp>
      <PublicSupportTotal509Amt>223618</PublicSupportTotal509Amt>
      <TotalSupportCalendarYearGrp>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>31855</CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>21249</CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>44444</CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>35935</CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearAmt>90135</CurrentTaxYearAmt>
        <TotalAmt>223618</TotalAmt>
      </TotalSupportCalendarYearGrp>
      <PublicSupportCY509Pct>1.00000</PublicSupportCY509Pct>
      <PublicSupportPY509Pct>0.82410</PublicSupportPY509Pct>
      <InvestmentIncomeCYPct>0.00000</InvestmentIncomeCYPct>
      <InvestmentIncomePYPct>0.00000</InvestmentIncomePYPct>
      <ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY509Ind>X</ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY509Ind>
    </IRS990ScheduleA>
    <IRS990ScheduleO documentId="990O">
      <SupplementalInformationDetail>
        <FormAndLineReferenceDesc>Description of other revenue Part I line 8</FormAndLineReferenceDesc>
        <ExplanationTxt>Description AmountRent 1,200</ExplanationTxt>
      </SupplementalInformationDetail>
      <SupplementalInformationDetail>
        <FormAndLineReferenceDesc>Description of other expenses Part I line 16</FormAndLineReferenceDesc>
        <ExplanationTxt>Description AmountDepreciation from 4562 14,071Bank fees 651Program Expenses 2,763Website 305PO Box Rental 256Travel 236Insurance 3,776Sales tax 3Office Supplies 2,803</ExplanationTxt>
      </SupplementalInformationDetail>
      <SupplementalInformationDetail>
        <FormAndLineReferenceDesc>Description of total liabilities Part II line 26</FormAndLineReferenceDesc>
        <ExplanationTxt>Category Beginning of Year End of YearCredit Cards 1,215 53Payroll Taxes 648 786</ExplanationTxt>
      </SupplementalInformationDetail>
    </IRS990ScheduleO>
  </ReturnData>
</Return>