West Marion Inc

Overview

Mission

The mission of west marion inc is to enhance the quality of life of our residents and overcome racial barriers by building bridges in mcdowell county. We do this by showing compassion, advocating for equitable policy reform, promoting economic development, sharing resources, empowering youth and creating equitable outcomes for all.

What it reported doing in 2024

West marion's transformation program: west marion inc. Advances health equity for black and brown communities through community-led initiatives designed to address racial disparities in healthcare access, quality of care, and overall well-being. Through its robert wood johnson foundation-supported "equity in health for black & brown communities" initiative, the organization engages directly impacted residents, healthcare providers, and community partners to identify barriers rooted in structural racism and social inequities. West marion inc. Works to co-create culturally informed policies, strengthen trust between healthcare systems and communities of color, and promote equitable access to physical, mental, and behavioral health services for historically underserved populations.west marion inc. Utilizes blue cross blue shield foundation funding to advance food justice and health equity initiatives that address childhood obesity, food insecurity, and systemic barriers to healthy living in underserved communities. Through its food advocacy work, west marion inc. Partners with residents, youth, healthcare providers, schools, and local food systems to improve access to fresh, culturally appropriate foods while promoting policy, systems, and environmental changes that support healthier communities. Programs include community gardens, youth leadership development, fresh food distribution, and community-centered health strategies focused on black, brown, and rural families disproportionately impacted by health disparitieswe increase community capacity to recognize and respond to trauma, mental health concerns, substance abuse, and behavioral distress among youth while improving access to culturally aligned support resources and prevention services.

Operating model

Revenue model
Donor-supported. 100% of the money available for current operations came from contributions and gifts.
Distribution model
Hybrid. The nonprofit split its reported program spending across 71% for direct work, and 29% for grants.

Nonprofit profile at a glance

EIN
830671471
IRS 990 coverage
2018–2024
Forms available
Form 990 2024
Headquarters
Marion, NC, USA
Phone
8283179729
Rating
66
Verdict
SUPPORTED
Rating confidence
Moderate
Sector
Community, Neighborhood Development

The verdict

SUPPORTED - The filed numbers largely add up and most voting board members are independent. A relatively small share of available resources goes toward mission work and a relatively small share of total spending goes to programs.

Rating breakdown

  • Financial Efficiency: 35
  • Transparency & Controls: 88
  • Accountability: 90
  • Sustainability: 60
  • Growth: 100

Detailed rating inputs

Financial Efficiency

  • Mission deployment rate: 36.5%; rating input score 36
  • Program expense ratio: 45.4%; rating input score 45
  • Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

  • Consistency checks: 93.3%; rating input score 93; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
  • Pay-setting controls: Limited
  • Foreign activity oversight: Limited
  • Grant itemization coverage: 90.6%; rating input score 91; 39th percentile among comparable filings
  • Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
  • Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

  • Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
  • Governance controls: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
    • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
    • Whistleblower policy: Pass
    • Document-retention policy: Pass
    • CEO compensation review process: Pass
    • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
    • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
    • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
    • Audit committee oversight: Missing
    • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

  • Operating margin: 19.7%; rating input score 76; 76th percentile among comparable filings
  • Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.78; rating input score 35; 35th percentile among comparable filings
  • Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 72; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
  • Officer compensation ratio: 7.6%; rating input score 45; 45th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

  • Program expense growth: 30.9% per year; rating input score 100; 90th percentile among comparable filings
  • Revenue growth: 23.2% per year; rating input score 100; 88th percentile among comparable filings
  • Asset growth: 24.8% per year; rating input score 100; 87th percentile among comparable filings

Details

  • Where the money goes: 36.5% of revenue deployed · 45.4% of spending went to programs
  • Governance: 9 of 9 board members independent · 6 of 8 filing controls reported
  • Programs: 4 filed program accomplishments · $720K in reported program spending
  • Leadership: top reported pay $121K · 10 people listed
  • Consistency: 30 of 31 current checks pass · 1 finding to review
  • Schedules: 5 filed schedules · includes major donors and grants
  • Filing history: 7 annual filings from 2018 to 2024
  • Contacts: How to reach this organization
  • Money network: 2 filed money-flow records
  • Related organizations: 1 filed related-organization link
  • Grant readiness: Federal tax and exclusion status, award history, and grant-maker relationships.
  • People: Everyone the filings name, and which of them the filings identify by more than a name.

Leadership & pay

10 people listed

Highest reported compensation

  • PAULA AVERY (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR): $121,138 total reported compensation

Source: IRS Form 990. Selected filing: FY2024.