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Passes our checks

Smoky Mountain Dream Center

EIN 47-4999200 · Knoxville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 8% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN DREAM CENTER IS A FAITH-BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN EAST TENNESSEE, WHICH OFFERS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND CHRIST-CENTERED SOLUTIONS TO WOMEN WHO HAVE FACED INCARCERATION, POVERTY AND ABUSE, FEEDING PROGRAMS, A CHURCH FACILITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO WORSHIP IN, AND YOUTH AND CHILDREN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS TO AID IN THEIR PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT.

Income
$51,025
Spending
$118,300
Spent on programs
8%
Reserves
58.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
2
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$39,795, executive director

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 58.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 132% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 92% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    8% 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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 (2)
  1. $322 spent. TEAM RELATED COMMUNITY PROJECTS - THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS AND FOOD PANTRY DISTRIBUTION CENTER TO AID YOUTH IN THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEVELOPMENT.
  2. $9,429 spent. JAIL PROGRAMS - THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES CHRIST-CENTERED SOLUTIONS TO WOMEN WHO HAVE FACED INCARCERATION INCLUDING NON-RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS TO OVERCOME LIFE-CONTROLLING ISSUES.

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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 July 2016.

    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.