Nonprofit · EIN 56-2105879
CRAVEN SMART START INC
Tax-exempt · NEW BERN, NC 28560
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $1,603,948 | $1,540,962 | $62,986 | $98,481 | -$1,817 | $100,298 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $1,457,431 | $1,477,292 | -$19,861 | $51,337 | $14,025 | $37,312 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $1,330,159 | $1,339,729 | -$9,570 | $67,109 | $9,937 | $57,172 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,598,789
- of which government grants
- $1,517,425
- Program service revenue
- $8,033
- Investment income
- $0
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$7,295
- Other revenue
- -$2,874
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $425,442
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $79,910
- Other salaries and wages
- $726,082
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $885,801
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $79
- Accounting fees
- $42,150
- Occupancy
- $45,178
- Travel
- $26,572
- Program services (functional)
- $1,350,019
- Management and general (functional)
- $184,944
- Fundraising (functional)
- $5,999
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $51,337
- Total assets, end of year
- $98,481
- Total liabilities, end of year
- -$1,817
- Net assets, end of year
- $100,298
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $83,272
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $17,026
- Gross receipts
- $1,611,243
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 46
- Year formed
- 1998
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cassandra Bennett | Executive Director Officer | 40 | $79,910 | $8,013 |
| Chief Patrick Gallagher | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Geoffrey Marett | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Linder Ervin | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Commissioner Beatrice R Smith | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Maria Eid | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Sarah Davis | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rhonda Sneeden | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Laticia Garfield | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Toussaint Summers | Treasurer Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lisa Kemp | Vice President Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lynn Hardison | Secretary Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| James Burns | President Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 14 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cassandra Bennett | Executive Director Key employee | 40 | $75,616 | $8,626 |
| Chief Patrick Gallagher | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Geoffrey Marett | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Jennifer Blackmon | Treasurer Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Linder Ervin | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LaTicia Garfield | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Commissioner Beatrice R Smith | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lisa Kemp | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lynn Hardison | Secretary Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Maria Eid | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Sarah Davis | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rhonda Sneeden | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Summers Toussaint | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| James Burns | President Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cassandra Bennett | Executive Director Key employee | 40 | $37,808 | $1,606 |
| Chief Patrick Gallagher | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Geoffrey Marett | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Jennifer Blackmon | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Linder Ervin | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LaTicia Garfield | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Commissioner Beatrice R Smith | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lisa Kemp | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Don Brinkley The Little Bank | Treasurer Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lynn Hardison | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Jean Kenefick | President Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Suzanne Gifford | Vice President Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Charles Collins | Secretary Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Susan Husson | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Pat Ipock | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Zac Everhart | Board Member Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 2111 NEUSE BLVD STE F, NEW BERN, NC 28560-4318
- In care of
- % PATRICIA MORROW
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- Cassandra Bennett, 2111 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28560
- Signed the 990
- Cassandra Bennett, Executive Director
- Phone
- (252) 636-3198
- Website
- www.cravensmartstart.org
Mission
Building brighter futures for young children.
Program accomplishments
- Child Care Resource & Referral PSC:3104 Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) is aligned with the North Carolina CCR&R System to provide CCR&R services that meet NC CCR&R Council-specific outputs and outcomes. Services may include technical assistance, training for childcare providers, consumer education, and/or consumer referral. Services that are provided in this activity include: (1) Technical assistance: Technical assistance in the form of coaching and modeling provided to early childhood educators working in start-ups, licensed and/or G.S. 110 childcare facilities serving children from birth to five years old. The Technical Assistance activity will focus on improving Participating Facilities' Star Levels, Participating Facilities' Star Rating Education and Program Standards points, and ITERS/ECERS/FCCERS scores. (2) Training for childcare providers: Training for DCDEE credit hours provided on childcare-related topics and coordination of CEU opportunities. (3) Consumer education: Information and/or education to families about quality childcare. 4) Consumer referral: Referring families to local childcare options. This activity will offer a variety of materials to support childcare providers and families of young children in their learning and development. This activity will provide access to child development resources and materials, including, but not limited to, books, manipulatives, reference materials, and curriculum kits. Items for checkout will be available to educators, families with children aged 5 years or younger, college students, early interventionists, etc. Guidance on the appropriate use of the materials may be provided. This activity will also serve as a resource room with access to die cuts, laminating machines, and other supplies. CCR&R is the designated CCR&R Region 2 Lead Agency. Smart Start funds for this activity may be used for meetings and conferences. Smart Start funding may be used to support an early childhood conference and/or a recognition dinner, for other staff as needed.Expenses $283,508
- CCR&R Regional Lead Agency (7104): Program is to coordinate and integrate CCR&R services delivery systems across the region. This is accomplished by providing effective technical assistance (Infant/Toddler Specialist, School Age Specialist and Behavioral Specialist) to child care providers and consumer-appropriate resource information to parents and the community resulting ultimately in the production of higher quality child care options.Expenses $389,946
- Child Care Subsidy PSC:2342 Financial assistance will be paid on a per-child basis as a subsidy to families eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). This activity will be implemented through the state-level subsidy contract and will be governed by a Memorandum of Understanding between the Local Partnership and the Local Purchasing Agency (LPA). .Expenses $224,000 · grants $224,000
- Family Literacy Program: Part- Day Child Care PSC:3318 As part of the comprehensive family literacy model, including four comprehensive components: adult education, parent education, parent and child daily interactions, and early childhood education, this activity will fund the Family Literacy Program: Part-Day Child Care. The Comprehensive Family Literacy Program is offered to adults who will attend school part-time and whose children will participate in an early childhood setting. At least 10 hours per week will be provided, with 6.5 hours per day, and on the fifth day, staff will conduct home visits. The Family Literacy Program: Part-Day Child Care provides developmentally appropriate preschool activities for children not enrolled in full-time care. This activity will provide a high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood program that prepares children for school success. This activity may support costs for child care providers and the Parent Coordinator, and, if resources are available, transportation costs. This program will follow Craven County's regular school year.Expenses $152,580 · grants $152,580
- Community Outreach Coordinator PSC:5517 Community Outreach will increase the community's awareness and support of Craven Smart Start services by utilizing traditional media, community resources, and social networking and website development. The activity will facilitate community planning to improve systems and alignment across programs and/or agencies. The Coordinator will forge alliances in the community to develop the communication and collaboration skills necessary for educators, families, and community members to come together. The Community Outreach Coordinator will also provide technical assistance to service providers to create programmatic coherence by ensuring that providers reflect the organization's mission and collaborate to accomplish the stated goals. This activity will assist in the production and distribution of the annual report. Smart Start funds for this activity may be used for meetings and conferences, and for other staff as needed.Expenses $67,446
- Program Coordinator/Evaluator PSC:5603 The Program Coordination and Evaluation activity, supported by one full time Coordinator/Evaluator, will develop and maintain relationships with service providers, and provide services critical to program accountability including:(1) review progress of programs toward meeting programmatic goals and objectives outlined in the annual plan; (2) development of programmatic short-and long-term outputs and outcomes; (3) measurement and reporting of programmatic outputs, outcomes and performance; (4) compilation and review of programmatic and statistical databases; (5) provision of technical assistance to service providers and grantees; (6) serving as liaison between the local partnership, the direct service providers and the state partnership; (7) development, collection and review of programmatic reports; (8) development, implementation, and oversight of the volunteer program to support partnership efforts, and (9) monitoring of, and enforcing compliance with, legislative mandates; and financial and programmatic monitoring of in-house and direct service providers and grantees. Smart Start funds for this activity may be used for meetings and conferences. A contractor may be hired to assist with some of these tasks, and other staff as needed.Expenses $60,424
- Raising A Reader PSC:5512 A Raising A Reader (RAR) Community Coordinator will implement Raising A Reader, a program that promotes literacy development through daily book-sharing between caregivers and young children. The RAR Coordinator must hold a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related human services field and must attend the RAR National Coordinator Training before initial implementation. Coordinators will host two training sessions for the site implementers who have been identified to participate in this project. Identified families will be loaned a book bag containing high-quality, developmentally appropriate children's books. The books will be exchanged each week. Parents of the children in the project will be invited to participate in at least two parent workshops, where they will learn book-sharing strategies. At least one library event will be provided for RAR participants and their families. Participants and their families will be provided with library information, a library card application, and other community literacy resources. The program will be implemented with model fidelity as described above. Childcare centers, childcare homes, or other community sites with a high percentage of low-income children will be targeted. Smart Start funds may also be used for children's books, childcare for participants, and/or incentives for eligible participants and other staff, as needed.Expenses $156,389 · grants $48,862
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL) PSC:5526 The Dolly Parton's Imagination Library activity will promote emergent literacy skills through a partnership with Dollywood Foundation. Through this activity, age-appropriate books will be mailed monthly to registered children born up to age five (0-5). Families will be recruited in target zip codes. Children are eligible to receive books regardless of family income. The books will be ordered using the Dollywood Foundation Book Ordering System (BOS) database. Smart Start funds will be used to cover program support expenses. The cost of books will be paid through the NCPC BOS account.Expenses $15,700
- Story Cubs (7111):Expenses $26
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
- 56-2105879
- 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
- 1999
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B012)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $98,481
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,611,243
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $1,603,948 | $1,540,962 | $98,481 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $1,457,431 | $1,477,292 | $51,337 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2023 | $1,330,159 | $1,339,729 | $67,109 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2018 | – | – | – | 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 56-2105879).
Questions about CRAVEN SMART START INC
- What is the EIN of CRAVEN SMART START INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of CRAVEN SMART START INC is 56-2105879.
- Is CRAVEN SMART START INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1999.
- Are donations to CRAVEN SMART START INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does CRAVEN SMART START INC 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 CRAVEN SMART START INC 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 CRAVEN SMART START INC 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 CRAVEN SMART START INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names Cassandra Bennett.
- Who are the officers and directors of CRAVEN SMART START INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 13 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $79,910 (Cassandra Bennett, Executive Director).
- How much revenue does CRAVEN SMART START INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,603,948, expenses of $1,540,962 and total assets of $98,481 at year end.
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