Nonprofit · EIN 99-5045024
CHARLOTTE OPTIMIST
Tax-exempt · CHARLOTTE, NC 28205
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990-EZ | $198,706 | $196,401 | $2,305 | $216,017 | $6,212 | $209,805 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $207,500 | $0 | $207,500 | $207,500 | $0 | $207,500 |
Financial details: 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $194,335
- Investment income
- $4,371
Expenses
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $121,875
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $145,110
- Professional fees and payments to contractors
- $46,094
- Other expenses
- $5,197
- Program services (functional)
- $39,254
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $207,500
- Total assets, end of year
- $216,017
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $6,212
- Net assets, end of year
- $209,805
- Cash, savings and investments
- $214,860
- Gross receipts
- $198,706
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Graff | CEO | 40 | $121,875 | $15,339 |
| Brian Castleberry | Chair | 0.15 | $0 | – |
| Ami Shukla | Secretary | 0.15 | $0 | – |
| Bruce Clark | Treasurer | 0.15 | $0 | – |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 4 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Graff | CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $0 |
| Brian Castleberry | Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 0.15 | $0 |
| Ami Shukla | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 0.15 | $0 |
| Bruce Clark | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 0.15 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 2124 CHAMBWOOD DR, CHARLOTTE, NC 28205-3618
- In care of
- % MICHAEL GRAFF
- Signed the 990-EZ
- Michael Nevitt Graff, CEO
- Return prepared by
- Foard and Company PA
Mission
A nonprofit media platform that strengthens the Charlotte community through thoughtful dialogue and high-quality local storytelling and journalism.
Program accomplishments
- Newsletter: The organization provides a weekly long form newsletter.Expenses $39,254
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990-EZ on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | Check at the IRS |
IRS record
- EIN
- 99-5045024
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2024
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A30)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $216,017
- Income (IRS master file)
- $198,706
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990-EZ | December 2025 | $198,706 | $196,401 | $216,017 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2024 | $207,500 | $0 | $207,500 | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 99-5045024).
Questions about CHARLOTTE OPTIMIST
- What is the EIN of CHARLOTTE OPTIMIST?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of CHARLOTTE OPTIMIST is 99-5045024.
- Is CHARLOTTE OPTIMIST tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2024.
- Are donations to CHARLOTTE OPTIMIST tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does CHARLOTTE OPTIMIST file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of CHARLOTTE OPTIMIST due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did CHARLOTTE OPTIMIST last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990-EZ for the year ended December 2025.
- Who are the officers and directors of CHARLOTTE OPTIMIST?
- The 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 4 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $121,875 (Michael Graff, CEO).
- How much revenue does CHARLOTTE OPTIMIST have?
- On its 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $198,706, expenses of $196,401 and total assets of $216,017 at year end.
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- ARTS SCIENCES & CULTURAL COUNCIL OF CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG INC EIN 99-4002299 · last filed 990 for 2025
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All nonprofits in CHARLOTTE · North Carolina · Arts, culture and humanities