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Passes our checks

Rest Stop Ministries

EIN 46-2325879 · Hermitage, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF REST STOP MINISTRIES IS TO COMPREHENSIVELY RESTORE FEMALE SURVIVORS OF SEX TRAFFICKING AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION. THE VISION IS TO STOP THE CRIMINAL OPPRESSION OF SEX TRAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION.

Income
$692,657
Spending
$956,844
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
18
Volunteers
86
Highest pay
$73,133, executive director

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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 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

    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, 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 (1)
  1. $684,591 spent. REST STOP MINISTRIES PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF HOLISTIC DIRECT CARE SERVICES TO ADULT FEMALE VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKING THROUGH A 24 HOUR/7 DAY A WEEK STAFFED HOUSING-FIRST PROGRAM MODEL, PROVIDING TRAUMA-INFORMED SURVIVOR-CENTERED CASE MANAGEMENT AND FOCUSED MENTAL HEALTH AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. THE 18-24 MONTH CORE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM IS FREE OF CHARGE TO OUR RESIDENTS AND HAS AN 9-BED CAPACITY. IN 2024, THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 11 RESIDENTS, 3 OF WHOM GRADUATED THE PROGRAM DURING THE YEAR. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE AN ALUMNI AFTERCARE COMPONENT OF OUR PROGRAM, AND A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE/WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AS PART OF OUR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT COMPONENT, INCREASING OUR IMPACT FOOTPRINT.

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 September 7, 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 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 May 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.