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Chattanooga Chamber Foundation

EIN 23-7032834 · Chattanooga, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EDUCATION REGARDING MATTERS OF PUBLIC CONCERN TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND INCREASE THE QUANTITY OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

Income
$10.4 million
Spending
$8.5 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
69
Volunteers
540
Highest pay
$491,422, president/ceo

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 82% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $7.0 million spent. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - PURPOSE IS TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY TO THE CHATTANOOGA AREA, AS WELL AS ENCOURAGE EXPANSION IN EXISTING BUSINESSES.
  2. $314,520 spent. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT-TO ENSURE THAT CHATTANOOGA AREA BENEFITS FROM CIVIC AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP. SPONSOR ANNUAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM TO PREPARE EXISTING LEADERS FOR COMMUNITY DECISION MAKING, HOLD EVENTS TO RECOGNIZE BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AND COMMUNICATE WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ON ISSUES VITAL TO LEADERS.
  3. $34,070 spent. FACILITIES MANAGEMENT-MANAGEMENT OF BUSINESS INCUBATOR THE BDC OFFERS START-UP BUSINESSES OFFICE OR MANUFACTURING SPACE AT BELOW-MARKET RENTAL RATES. TENANTS HAVE ACCESS TO CLERICAL SUPPORT, FAX MACHINE, COPIER AND POSTAGE MACHINE.
  4. $36,857 spent. COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT-PLANNING, IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE OF NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, INCLUDING BEAUTIFICATION, PROMOTION AND EDUCATION. IT ALSO INCLUDES CHATT 2.0, WHICH IS A COMMUNITY-LED MOVEMENT TO ADDRESS EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES IN HAMILTON COUNTY.

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 October 13, 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 September 1975.

    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 October 21, 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.