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Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue Service

EIN 23-7153047 · Chattanooga, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE OBJECTIVE OF THE RESCUE SERVICE SHALL BE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: 1) THE PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF OR SUPPORT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS. 2) THE ALLEVIATION OF PAIN AND SUFFERING AS WELL AS THE SAVING OF HUMAN LIFE BY THE APPLICATION OF MEDICALLY APPROVED SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES. 3) THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS, TECHNIQUES, AND EQUIPMENT WHICH MAY PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY 4) THE ORGANIZATION AND/OR SPONSORSHIP OF SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS IN AREAS OF RESIDENTIAL, OCCUPATIONAL, OR INDUSTRIAL POPULATION. 5) FUNCTION AS A SUPPORT SERVICE TO EXISTING EMERGENCY SERVICES.

Income
$215,218
Spending
$176,147
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
42.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 65%
Employees
0
Volunteers
48

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (health care, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 42.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% 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 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (health care, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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. $156,500 spent. THE RESCUE SERVICE RECEIVED SEVERAL CALLS FOR SUPPORT IN HAMILTON COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. THE AREAS OF SUPPORT ARE AS FOLLOWS: CALLS FOR AIR TRUCK, CALLS FOR STANDBY. STANBY INCLUDES FOOD, WATER AND MEDICAL TREATMENT ONSITE. STANDBY WAS PROVIDED FOR RIVERBEND, MEDICAL, FORGOTTEN CHILD, DIRT TRACK AND FUNERALS. THERE WERE ALSO CALLS FOR TRAINING. THE TRAINING CALLS WERE FOR EXTRACTION, ATV, SEARCH AND RESCUE, FIRE AND WATER RESCUE. THERE WERE ALSO CALLS FOR REHAB, CALLS FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS. THERE WERE ALSO CALLS FOR OTHER REASONS. THE RESCUE SERVICE ALSO HAD TRAINING TIME.

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 November 1972.

    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.