Nonprofit · EIN 56-1949415
WAKE COUNTY SMARTSTART
Tax-exempt · RALEIGH, NC 27606
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $27,914,896 | $27,249,271 | $665,625 | $4,446,723 | $199,912 | $4,246,811 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $25,102,327 | $25,028,627 | $73,700 | $3,982,549 | $401,363 | $3,581,186 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $22,907,110 | $22,422,941 | $484,169 | $4,304,569 | $797,083 | $3,507,486 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $27,699,186
- of which government grants
- $27,052,919
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $183,388
- Other revenue
- $32,322
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $21,763,190
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $367,219
- Other salaries and wages
- $2,551,783
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $3,853,338
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $4,141
- Accounting fees
- $11,136
- Occupancy
- $237,870
- Travel
- $44,168
- Program services (functional)
- $25,559,501
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,595,909
- Fundraising (functional)
- $93,861
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $3,982,549
- Total assets, end of year
- $4,446,723
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $199,912
- Net assets, end of year
- $4,246,811
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $2,349,095
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $1,897,716
- Gross receipts
- $27,914,896
- Employees
- 49
- Volunteers
- 150
- Year formed
- 1994
- State of legal domicile
- NC
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 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAYLE HEADEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $155,915 | $15,445 |
| GARY CARR | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $151,239 | $16,842 |
| CAROL C ORJI | DIRECTOR OF ECI Highest-paid employee | 40 | $115,142 | $14,973 |
| KATHERINE WILLIAMS | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NIKIA COATES | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATTHEW ELLINWOOD | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATTHEW GLOVA | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDRE ANTHONY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| VERONICA CREECH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HEATHER DRENNAN | DIRECTOR THR FEB 2025 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN EVANS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ARIEL FORD | DIRECTOR FR OCT 2024 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERRY HEUSER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICKEY HOLT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NIKKI LEONARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
7 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RONETTA PEARSALL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANTONIA PEDROZA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| STEPHANIE SHELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHERYL STALLINGS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TONYA VENABLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOE WHITE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| STACEY WILSON-NORMAN | DIRECTOR THR FEB 2025 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 23 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAYLE HEADON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $172,449 | $9,167 |
| GARY CARR | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $149,291 | $16,552 |
| CAROL C ORJI | DIRECTOR OF ECI Highest-paid employee | 40 | $105,171 | $14,435 |
| KATHERINE WILLIAMS | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NIKIA COATES | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATTHEW ELLINWOOD | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATTHEW GLOVA | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRISTINE ALVARADO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HEATHER DRENNAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN EVANS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERRY HEUSER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICKEY HOLT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LESLIE ANN JACKSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TONYA KANGKOLO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CATHERINE LASSITER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| AMELIA MUSE | DIRECTOR FR JULY 2023 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RONETTA PEARSALL | DIRECTOR FR JULY 2023 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANTONIA PEDROZA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| COLLEEN ROACHE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHERYL STALLINGS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TONYA VENABLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE WHITE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STACEY WILSON-NORMAN | DIRECTOR FR JULY 2023 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 27 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAYLE HEADON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $133,966 | $7,219 |
| GARY CARR | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Officer | 40 | $121,111 | $15,306 |
| ANGIE WELSH | FORMER DIRECTOR Former | 1 | $50,550 | $0 |
| SHERRY HEUSER | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $8,350 | $0 |
| CHRISTINE ALVARADO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARIA CERVANIA | DIRECTOR (THR: 12/2022) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NIKIA COATES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| VERONICA CREECH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HEATHER DRENNAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATTHEW ELLINWOOD | DIRECTOR (FR: 7/2022) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN EVANS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATTHEW GLOVA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH HAMNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TONYA KANGKOLO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CATHERINE LASSITER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHARON LOZA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CATTY MOORE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANTONIA PEDROZA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY SHAW | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHERYL STALLINGS | DIRECTOR (FR: 1/2023) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLOTTE TURPIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TONYA VENABLE | DIRECTOR (FR: 7/2022) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL WASILICK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHERINE WILLIAMS | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BARBARA MORALES BURKE | PAST CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE WHITE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LESLIE ANN JACKSON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 4901 WATERS EDGE DR STE 101, RALEIGH, NC 27606-2464
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- GAYLE E HEADEN, 4901 WATERS EDGE DRIVE 101, RALEIGH, NC 27606
- Signed the 990
- MATTHEW GLOVA, TREASURER
- Phone
- (919) 851-9550
- Website
- WWW.WAKESMARTSTART.ORG
- Return prepared by
- BLACKMAN & SLOOP ADVISORS INC
Mission
WAKE COUNTY SMART START INVESTS IN YOUNG CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES, AND A CONNECTED EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS AND PREPARES THEM FOR SCHOOL AND LIFE AHEAD.
Program accomplishments
- NC PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMTHE NC PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES TO ENHANCE SCHOOL READINESS FOR ELIGIBLE FOUR-YEAR-OLDS. CHILDREN IN PRE-K ATTEND A FULL SCHOOL DAY IN A SCHOOL-YEAR PROGRAM. CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM ARE SERVED IN LICENSED CLASSROOMS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PRIVATE CHILD CARE FACILITIES, OR HEAD START PROGRAMS. FOR THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, 1,705 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM. A STATE GRANT AND A LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT SUPPORTED THE PROGRAM.Expenses $15,299,359 · grants $14,454,137
- FAMILY SUPPORT/HEALTH AND SAFETYWAKE COUNTY SMART START FUNDS FAMILY SUPPORT, AND HEALTH AND SAFETY ACTIVITIES THAT BENEFIT FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN WAKE COUNTY. FAMILY SUPPORT PROVIDES PARENTING SKILLS TRAINING, ONGOING PARENT EDUCATION, FAMILY LITERACY INITIATIVES, TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND FAMILY NAVIGATION. HEALTH AND SAFETY PROVIDES TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, COUNSELING, NUTRITION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, AND REFERRALS TO ADDRESS HEALTHCARE, MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS, AND PREVENTATIVE SERVICES. APPROXIMATELY 890 CHILDREN DIRECTLY BENEFITED FROM AT LEAST ONE WAKE COUNTY SMART START FAMILY SUPPORT OR HEALTH AND SAFETY ACTIVITY. PROGRAMS ARE SUPPORTED BY STATE AND PRIVATE GRANTS .Expenses $4,208,572 · grants $3,201,085
- WAKE THREESCHOOLTHIS PROGRAM PROVIDES EARLY EDUCATION TO YOUNG CHILDREN IN A PLAY-BASED, DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT, LIKE THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED NC PRE-K PROGRAM. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT WHEN THREE-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN RECEIVE SUPPORT FOR LEARNING EARLY, THEY LEARN BETTER, GAIN STRONGER SKILLS, AND ARE BETTER PREPARED FOR SUCCESS IN PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN. THIS PROGRAM LEVERAGES THE RAPID BRAIN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT THAT HAPPENS AT AGE THREE. THIS "FRAMEWORK" IS WHAT ALL FUTURE LEARNING IS BUILT UPON. CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM ARE SERVED IN LICENSED PRIVATE CHILD CARE FACILITIES AND HEAD START PROGRAMS. FOR THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, 333 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT.Expenses $4,541,902 · grants $3,839,252
- CHILD CARE EDUCATION AND QUALITYIN WAKE COUNTY, 33 PERCENT OF THE "BIRTH-TO-FIVE" POPULATION ATTENDED REGULATED CHILD CARE. BECAUSE A CHILD'S EXPERIENCES IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS ARE OF SUCH A CRITICAL NATURE, WAKE COUNTY SMART START WORKS TO ENSURE THAT QUALITY CHILD CARE IS BOTH ACCESSIBLE AND AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES WHO NEED IT. WAKE COUNTY SMART START INVESTS IN COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO PROVIDE SUBSIDY PAYMENTS IN REGULATED CHILDCARE, WORK WITH LICENSED CHILD CARE FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE QUALITY, AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILD CARE PROFESSIONALS TO INCREASE THEIR SKILLS. ADDITIONAL AREAS OF SUPPORT INCLUDE TRAINING, CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENTS, AND MENTORING PROGRAMS. FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 - 2025, APPROXIMATELY 31 CHILD CARE FACILITIES WERE SERVED. PROGRAMS ARE SUPPORTED BY A STATE GRANT AND PROGRAM SERVICE FEES.Expenses $1,035,116 · grants $268,716 · revenue $2,375
- PROGRAM COORDINATION AND EVALUATIONWORK WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO ACHIEVE GOALS ARTICULATED IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN; WORK WITH PARTNERS TO DEVELOP EVALUATION PLANS AND TRACK IMPLEMENTATION; ASSESS PROGRESS TOWARDS GOALS, PARTICIPATE IN STRATEGIC PLANNING; GATHER AND ANALYZE RELEVANT DATA; COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENTS; MANAGE REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS PROCESS AND PARTICIPATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS. THE PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY A STATE GRANT.Expenses $474,552
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 June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 56-1949415
- 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
- 1996
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B210)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $4,446,723
- Income (IRS master file)
- $27,914,896
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $27,914,896 | $27,249,271 | $4,446,723 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $25,102,327 | $25,028,627 | $3,982,549 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $22,907,110 | $22,422,941 | $4,304,569 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | 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 56-1949415).
Questions about WAKE COUNTY SMARTSTART
- What is the EIN of WAKE COUNTY SMARTSTART?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of WAKE COUNTY SMARTSTART is 56-1949415.
- Is WAKE COUNTY SMARTSTART tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1996.
- Are donations to WAKE COUNTY SMARTSTART tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does WAKE COUNTY SMARTSTART 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 WAKE COUNTY SMARTSTART due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did WAKE COUNTY SMARTSTART last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of WAKE COUNTY SMARTSTART?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names GAYLE E HEADEN.
- Who are the officers and directors of WAKE COUNTY SMARTSTART?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 22 people; 3 received compensation from the organization, the highest $155,915 (GAYLE HEADEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does WAKE COUNTY SMARTSTART have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $27,914,896, expenses of $27,249,271 and total assets of $4,446,723 at year end.
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