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Refuge Center for Counseling Inc

EIN 20-3931843 · Franklin, TN

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE REFUGE CENTER EXISTS TO OFFER EXCELLENT, ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTHCARE SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES. IN CARRYING OUT THIS MISSION, THE STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS STRIVE TO STRENGTHEN SYSTEMIC, COMMUNITY HEALTH AND TO MAKE EXCELLENT, LIFE-SAVING MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE TO ALL, THROUGH AN INCOME-BASED SLIDING-FEE SCALE. THE REFUGE CENTER INDEED OFFERS "REFUGE" BY PROVIDING A PLACE THAT OFFERS SUPPORT, CONNECTION, HOPE, AND HEALING TO CHILDREN, INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING CRISIS, LOSS, AND SUFFERING. AS AN "EMOTIONAL FIRST RESPONDER," THE REFUGE CENTER ALWAYS HAS A SIGNIFICANT DEMAND FOR LIFE- SAVING MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH COUNSELING AT AN AFFORDABLE RATE. IN THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, THE REFUGE CENTER SERVED 4,247 CLIENTS FROM 18+ COUNTIES IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE THROUGH 41,498 LIFE-CHANGING COUNSELING SESSIONS ON THE INCOME- BASED SLIDING SCALE FEE STRUCTURE. 86% OF REFUG

Income
$5.1 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
-10.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 57%
Employees
42
Volunteers
135
Highest pay
$112,000, ceo/founder

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 38 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $3.5 million spent. THE REFUGE CENTER EXISTS TO OFFER EXCELLENT, ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTHCARE SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES. IN CARRYING OUT THIS MISSION, THE STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS STRIVE TO STRENGTHEN SYSTEMIC, COMMUNITY HEALTH AND TO MAKE EXCELLENT, LIFE-SAVING MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE TO ALL, THROUGH AN INCOME-BASED SLIDING-FEE SCALE. THE REFUGE CENTER INDEED OFFERS "REFUGE" BY PROVIDING A PLACE THAT OFFERS SUPPORT, CONNECTION, HOPE, AND HEALING TO CHILDREN, INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING CRISIS, LOSS, AND SUFFERING. AS AN "EMOTIONAL FIRST RESPONDER," THE REFUGE CENTER ALWAYS HAS A SIGNIFICANT DEMAND FOR LIFE- SAVING MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH COUNSELING AT AN AFFORDABLE RATE. IN THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, THE REFUGE CENTER SERVED 4,247 CLIENTS FROM 18+ COUNTIES IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE THROUGH 41,498 LIFE-CHANGING COUNSELING SESSIONS ON THE INCOME- BASED SLIDING SCALE FEE STRUCTURE. 86% OF REFUGE'S CLIENTS UTILIZE THE SLIDING-FEE SCALE. THE REFUGE CENTER CURRENTLY HAS MORE THAN 70 COUNSELORS. EACH COUNSELOR BRINGS A DIFFERENT AREA OF FOCUS, INCLUDING ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE, ADDICTIONS,MARITAL THERAPY, GRIEF AND LOSS COUNSELING, FAMILY COUNSELING, DIVORCE ADJUSTMENT, PARENTING CHALLENGES, AND THERAPY FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS. IN ADDITION TO THESE AREAS OF FOCUS, THE REFUGE CENTER OFFERS CONTINUITY OF CARE THROUGH SPECIALIZED THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES LIKE EMDR, NEUROFEEDBACK,GROUP COUNSELING, BRAINSPOTTING AND PCIT (PARENT CHILD INTERACTION THERAPY) ALL ON A SLIDING-FEE SCALE. THE REFUGE CENTER FOR COUNSELING VALUES SYSTEMIC HEALTH, AFFORDABILITY, EXCELLENCE, EDUCATION AND HOPE. WE SEE FIRST-HAND HOW WHEN ONE PERSON BECOMES HEALTHIER, A FAMILY BECOMES STRONGER, AND A COMMUNITY THRIVES. THE REFUGE CENTER BELIEVES DEEPLY IN THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF HEALING AND THE POWER IT HAS TO CHANGE COMMUNITIES. THE REFUGE CENTER EXISTS TO OFFER EXCELLENT, ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTHCARE SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES. IN CARRYING OUT THIS MISSION, THE STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS STRIVE TO STRENGTHEN SYSTEMIC, COMMUNITY HEALTH AND TO MAKE EXCELLENT, LIFE-SAVING MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE TO ALL, THROUGH AN INCOME-BASED SLIDING-FEE SCALE. THE REFUGE CENTER INDEED OFFERS "REFUGE" BY PROVIDING A PLACE THAT OFFERS SUPPORT, CONNECTION, HOPE, AND HEALING TO CHILDREN, INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING CRISIS, LOSS, AND SUFFERING. AS AN "EMOTIONAL FIRST RESPONDER," THE REFUGE CENTER ALWAYS HAS A SIGNIFICANT DEMAND FOR LIFE- SAVING MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH COUNSELING AT AN AFFORDABLE RATE. IN THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, THE REFUGE CENTER SERVED 4,247 CLIENTS FROM 18+ COUNTIES IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE THROUGH 41,498 LIFE-CHANGING COUNSELING SESSIONS ON THE INCOME- BASED SLIDING SCALE FEE STRUCTURE. 86% OF REFUGE'S CLIENTS UTILIZE THE SLIDING-FEE SCALE. THE REFUGE CENTER CURRENTLY HAS MORE THAN 70 COUNSELORS. EACH COUNSELOR BRINGS A DIFFERENT AREA OF FOCUS, INCLUDING ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE, ADDICTIONS,MARITAL THERAPY, GRIEF AND LOSS COUNSELING, FAMILY COUNSELING, DIVORCE ADJUSTMENT, PARENTING CHALLENGES, AND THERAPY FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS. IN ADDITION TO THESE AREAS OF FOCUS, THE REFUGE CENTER OFFERS CONTINUITY OF CARE THROUGH SPECIALIZED THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES LIKE EMDR, NEUROFEEDBACK,GROUP COUNSELING, BRAINSPOTTING AND PCIT (PARENT CHILD INTERACTION THERAPY) ALL ON A SLIDING-FEE SCALE. THE REFUGE CENTER FOR COUNSELING VALUES SYSTEMIC HEALTH, AFFORDABILITY, EXCELLENCE, EDUCATION AND HOPE. WE SEE FIRST-HAND HOW WHEN ONE PERSON BECOMES HEALTHIER, A FAMILY BECOMES STRONGER, AND A COMMUNITY THRIVES. THE REFUGE CENTER BELIEVES DEEPLY IN THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF HEALING AND THE POWER IT HAS TO CHANGE COMMUNITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2006.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.