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Passes our checks

Greenspaces

EIN 27-2113695 · Chattanooga, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak32 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GREENSPACES EXISTS TO FURTHER SUSTAINABILITY IN THE CHATTANOOGA REGION, BY PROMOTING AND DEVELOPING ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PRACTICES FOR LIVING, WORKING AND BUILDING.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
44
Volunteers
190

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 32 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 83% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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.

  • 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $124,000 spent. GREEN PRIX: ELECTRIC CAR DESIGN, BUILD, AND RACE FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN HAMILTON COUNTY TEACHING HANDS-ON MECHANICS, STEM, AND TEAMWORK.
  2. $840,000 spent. BUILD IT GREEN (BIG): BIG PREPARES YOUNG ADULTS WITH UNTAPPED POTENTIAL FOR CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION AND ENERGY SERVICE THROUGH A SIX MONTH - ONE YEAR LEADERSHIP AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAM. THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH BUILD ME A WORLD AND AMERICORPS OPPORTUNITY YOUTH SERVICE INITIATIVE, BIG AIMS TO GENERATE PATHWAYS OUT OF POVERTY FOR YOUNG ADULTS THROUGH LIFE STABILITY MENTORSHIP, JOB READINESS TRAINING, COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND OUTREACH TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL TRAINING IN THE GREEN BUILDING FIELD.
  3. $140,000 spent. GENERAL: EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN COMMMUNITY AND WITH PARTNERS FOR SUSTAINABILITY BEST PRACTICES.
  4. $262,934 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 January 2011.

    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.