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Generous Life Foundation

EIN 31-1685087 · Cordova, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood77 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IMPACT THE CITY OF MEMPHIS (AND OTHER URBAN AREAS) WITH EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND TO PROVIDE RELIEF AND EDUCATION TO THE POOR, DISTRESSED, AND UNDERPRIVILEGED.

Income
$739,952
Spending
$677,965
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
20
Volunteers
600

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 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 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    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.

  • 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, 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. $340,000 spent. READ2LEAD - OBJECTIVE: THE READ2LEAD AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM SERVES K-6TH GRADE CHILDREN ATTENDING TITLE 1 SCHOOLS IN UNDER-RESOURCED AND UNDER-SERVED NEIGHBORHOODS. READ2LEAD PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY ACADEMIC AND ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL TIME SETTING. THIS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON CLOSING THE ACADEMIC AND OPPORTUNITY GAPS FOR CHILDREN IN A SAFE LIFE-GIVING ENVIRONMENT. STATS: 790 STUDENTS SERVED.
  2. $100,000 spent. FEEDMEMPHIS - OBJECTIVE: FEEDMEMPHIS IS A COMBINATION OF PROGRAMS AND EVENTS ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY IN THE CITY OF MEMPHIS. FROM OUR MONTHLY POP UP GROVERY FOOD DRIVES AND MONTHLY FOOD BOX PROGRAMS, DOORSTEP DELIVERY, THE FEEDMEMPHIS INITIATIVE SEEKS TO HELP THOSE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY BY MEETING TANGIBLE NEEDS. STATS: POP UP GROCERY - 245 FAMILIES, 14,030 LBS OF FOOD. FOOD BOXES - 532.
  3. $80,000 spent. FAMILY ADVOCACY - OBJECTIVE: THROUGH THE FAMILY ADVOCACY CENTER, WE WANT TO WALK WITH AND BE A SAFE HAVEN FOR FAMILIES NAVIGATING CRISES AND THOSE WHO WALK WITH AND SUPPORT THEM. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES TANGIBLE NEEDS SUCH AS BEDDING, CLOTHING, DIAPERS, SCHOOL UNIFORMS, AND GROCERIES, AS WELL AS SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. THE FAMILY ADVOCACY CENTER OFFERS PARENT/GUARDIAN SUPPORT GROUPS. STATS: SERVED 4,880 INDIVIDUALS.

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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2010.

    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 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 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.