Drug Free Dickson Coalition
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO REDUCE AND PREVENT ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND DRUG ABUSE IN DICKSON COUNTY, PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUTH, THROUGH AWARENESS, EDUCATION, AND ACTION.
- Income
- $791,018
- Spending
- $523,672
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 9.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 97%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $96,756, executive di
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 47% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% 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
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $455,913 spent. THE DRUG FREE DICKSON COALITION WAS FOUNDED IN 2012 AND IS MADE UP OF VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUE OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE IN DICKSON COUNTY. OUR MISSION IS TO REDUCE AND PREVENT ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND DRUG MISUSE IN DICKSON COUNTY, THROUGH AWARENESS, EDUCATION, AND ACTION, PARTICULARLY AMONG OUR YOUTH. DFDC SEEKS TO UNITE THE COMMUNITY IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES TO PREVENT AND LESSEN THE PROGRESSION OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE IN ALL AGES. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE JUVENILE COURT. WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A NICOTINE CESSATION PROGRAM FOR OUR YOUTH ALONG WITH A MONTHLY EDUCATION AND AWARENESS - CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O
- LINE 4A - FIRST PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENT THE DRUG FREE DICKSON COALITION WAS FOUNDED IN 2012 AND IS MADE UP OF VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUE OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE IN DICKSON COUNTY. OUR MISSION IS TO REDUCE AND PREVENT ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND DRUG MISUSE IN DICKSON COUNTY, THROUGH AWARENESS, EDUCATION, AND ACTION, PARTICULARLY AMONG OUR YOUTH. DFDC SEEKS TO UNITE THE COMMUNITY IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES TO PREVENT AND LESSEN THE PROGRESSION OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE IN ALL AGES. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE JUVENILE COURT. WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A NICOTINE CESSATION PROGRAM FOR OUR YOUTH ALONG WITH A MONTHLY EDUCATION AND AWARENESS CLASS ON THE DANGERS OF VAPING NICOTINE AND THC FOR BOTH PARENTS AND STUDENTS. THE STAFF BECAME LIFE SKILLS FACILITATORS AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THIS EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM IN OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS. WE HOST EDUCATIONAL EVENTS FOR PARENTS INCLUDING OUR HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT PROGRAM. HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT IS AN INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION FOR PARENTS WHO MAY BE CONFUSED OR CONCERNED BY CHANGES IN THEIR CHILD'S BEHAVIOR. THE PROGRAM EDUCATES PARENTS ABOUT HOW TEENS AND PRETEENS USE EVERYDAY ITEMS TO HIDE EVIDENCE OF RISKY BEHAVIORS. THE PRESENTATION IS A MOCK SETUP OF A TEENAGER'S BEDROOM AND ITEMS ARE HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT ALL AROUND THE ROOM. OUR FACILITATOR TEACHES PARENTS HOW TO BECOME MORE CURIOUS, OBSERVANT AND INVOLVED-AND HOW TO RESPOND WHEN THEY UNCOVER SOMETHING THAT IS HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT. WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO HOST FUN INTERACTIVE PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH DURING SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL BREAKS, INCLUDING A SKATEBOARD WORKSHOP. THIS PROGRAM CONSISTED OF 5 LESSONS WITH GUEST SPEAKERS ON SUBSTANCE MISUSE, VAPING, UNDERAGE DRINKING AND RISKY BEHAVIORS. EACH CHILD WHO ATTENDED RECEIVED A FREE SKATEBOARD AND BEGINNERS LESSONS. THE DRUG FREE DICKSON COALITION (DFDC) IS PROUD TO REPORT ANOTHER YEAR OF MEASURABLE IMPACT AND RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDS THROUGHOUT 2025. AS A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN COALITION SERVING DICKSON COUNTY, DFDC REMAINS COMMITTED TO PREVENTING YOUTH SUBSTANCE MISUSE, SUPPORTING FAMILIES, AND STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS THAT PROMOTE A SAFE, HEALTHY, AND DRUG-FREE COMMUNITY. 2025 HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS - EXPANDED EVIDENCE-BASED YOUTH PREVENTION PROGRAMMING IN LOCAL SCHOOLS, REACHING OVER 5000 STUDENTS WITH SUBSTANCE MISUSE PREVENTION EDUCATION. - HOSTED COMMUNITY AWARENESS INITIATIVES ADDRESSING VAPING, FENTANYL, UNDERAGE ALCOHOL USE, AND EMERGING DRUG TRENDS. - DISTRIBUTED FREE MEDICATION LOCK BOXES TO FAMILIES TO REDUCE ACCESS TO UNSECURED PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS IN HOMES. - INCREASED YOUTH LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT THROUGH PREVENTION AMBASSADOR PROGRAMS. - STRENGTHENED COLLABORATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, SCHOOLS, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND CIVIC PARTNERS. NATIONAL RECOGNITION & LEADERSHIP DRUG FREE DICKSON COALITION WAS HONORED WITH THE CADCA BLUE RIBBON COALITION AWARD, A NATIONAL DISTINCTION RECOGNIZING COALITIONS THAT DEMONSTRATE MEASURABLE OUTCOMES, STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE, AND EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC PREVENTION FRAMEWORK. FURTHER DEMONSTRATING ITS LEADERSHIP IN PREVENTION, DRUG FREE DICKSON COALITION WAS INVITED TO PRESENT ITS OUTCOMES AND STRATEGIES AT: - THE CADCA NATIONAL LEADERSHIP FORUM - THE NATIONAL RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT - THE LIFESAVERS NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HIGHWAY SAFETY PRIORITIES THESE INVITATIONS REFLECT NATIONAL RECOGNITION OF THE COALITION'S EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES, MEASURABLE IMPACT, AND INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. COST-BENEFIT IMPACT AN INDEPENDENT COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS CONDUCTED BY CATALYST EVALUATIONS FOUND THAT: FOR EVERY 1 INVESTED IN PREVENTION EFFORTS IN DICKSON COUNTY, 4.05 IN PUBLIC BURDEN SPENDING IS SAVED. THESE SAVINGS REFLECT REDUCTIONS IN COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HEALTHCARE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, LOST PRODUCTIVITY, AND OTHER SUBSTANCE MISUSE-RELATED EXPENDITURES. THIS ANALYSIS CONFIRMS THAT PREVENTION IS BOTH SOCIALLY IMPACTFUL AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP & COMPLIANCE DRUG FREE DICKSON COALITION REMAINS COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND RESPONSIBLE FISCAL MANAGEMENT. FUNDS RECEIVED THROUGH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GRANTS, AS WELL AS PRIVATE DONATIONS, ARE USED EXCLUSIVELY TO SUPPORT PREVENTION EDUCATION, OUTREACH INITIATIVES, COALITION CAPACITY BUILDING, AND EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMMING. THE COALITION MAINTAINS SOUND INTERNAL CONTROLS AND COMPLIES WITH ALL FEDERAL AND STATE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. NO FUNDS ARE USED FOR PARTISAN POLITICAL ACTIVITY. ACTIVE OVERSIGHT BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ENSURES ALL EXPENDITURES ALIGN WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION AND STRATEGIC PREVENTION OBJECTIVES. COMMUNITY IMPACT PREVENTION WORKS. IN 2025, DFDC CONTINUED BUILDING PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES ACROSS DICKSON COUNTY BY: - INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE. - PROMOTING SAFE PRESCRIPTION DRUG STORAGE AND DISPOSAL. - SUPPORTING POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. - ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY-WIDE RESPONSIBILITY IN ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE MISUSE. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF OUR PARTNERS, VOLUNTEERS, DONORS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. TOGETHER, WE ARE PRODUCING MEASURABLE OUTCOMES AND LONG-TERM SAVINGS FOR DICKSON COUNTY. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR MISSION, PROGRAMS, OR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY, PLEASE CONTACT DRUG FREE DICKSON COALITION AT 615-352-2821.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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.