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East Tennessee Equality Council Inc

EIN 27-2363373 · Knoxville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceWeak21 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The primary purpose of the corporation is to eliminate the prejudice and discrimination against, and to promote awareness and increase acceptance of Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, and Transgendered persons within the communities of East Tennessee through public educational, cultural, and informative discussions, forums, programs, and events.

Income
$380,087
Spending
$335,880
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$83,232, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% 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 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 21 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 3 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 December 31, 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. $335,880 spent. In 2025, Knox Pride made a significant impact on the Knoxville community through its resource center and outreach efforts. The Knox Pride Community Resource Center became one of the citys most vital support hubs, operating on a no-barrier model offering free groceries, hygiene products, and clothing with no paperwork or eligibility requirements. Executive Director John Camp reported that the pantry distributed over 172,000 pounds of food in 2025 alone, serving 200300 people a day as need continued to grow. Knox Pride also hosted its annual Pride Night at Zoo Knoxville in June, bringing together families and the broader East Tennessee community for a safe, celebratory event that served as the organizations largest fundraiser of the year. Throughout the year, Knox Pride continued to provide support groups, mental health care services, youth navigation, workforce development, housing, life skills classes, and community events, remaining a cornerstone of support for LGBTQ+ residents across the region.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2013.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2014.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.