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Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College

EIN 27-2341083 · Chattanooga, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CHALMERS CENTER EQUIPS THE CHURCH TO ADDRESS THE BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS AT THE ROOT OF MATERIAL POVERTY, LIVING OUT JESUS' KINGDOM TODAY. WE SEEK TO COMMUNICATE GOD'S REDEEMING STORY AND HOW IT RELATES TO POVERTY ALLEVIATION, ENABLING PEOPLE WHO ARE MATERIALLY POOR TO ENJOY RECONCILED RELATIONSHIPS WITH GOD, SELF, OTHERS, AND THE REST OF CREATION.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
-0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
23
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$195,992, chief development officer

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: 61 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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 (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 10 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 (3)
  1. $1.4 million spent. FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES AND INNOVATION - THROUGH BOOKS, ONLINE COURSES, SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, AND THE AMBASSADORS PROGRAM, THE CHALMERS FRAMEWORK EQUIPS CHURCHES, CHRISTIAN NONPROFITS, AND INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIANS TO UNDERSTAND AND ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF MATERIAL POVERTY. THROUGH INNOVATION, CHRISTIAN LEADERS ARE EQUIPPED TO DEVELOP POVERTY ALLEVIATION MINISTRY THAT FOSTER REAL CHANGE.
  2. $451,308 spent. FAITH AND FINANCES AND WORK LIFE: DEVELOPING CURRICULUM IN FINANCIAL EDUCATION, INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS, AND JOB PREPAREDNESS FOR LOCAL CHURCHES AND CHRISTIAN NOPROFITS, EQUIPPING THEM TO IMPACT LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS. INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF ONLINE CURRICULUM FOR THESE COURSES.
  3. $437,281 spent. WEST AFRICA PROGRAM AND INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM: TRAINING LOCAL LEADERS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES IN WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES AND BEYOND, SPECIFICALLY SAVINGS-LED MICROFINANCE GROUPS IN LOCAL CHURCHES; DEVELOPING OF MATERIALS FOR USE BY HIGH IMPACT PARTNERS AND DENOMINATIONAL LEADERS.

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 August 2010.

    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.

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