Ballad Health Auxiliary
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Honor those we serve by delivering the best possible care.Ballad Health is dedicated to improving the health of the 29-county Appalachian Highlands region.
- Income
- $202,099
- Spending
- $618,885
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 28 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 88%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 757
- Highest pay
- $116,588, president (end feb. 2025)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (health care, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 28.0 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 41% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 206% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 69% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (health care, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 13 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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)
- $521,876 spent. The auxiliary renders services to Ballad Health and its related hospitals; its patients, guests, and team members, while assisting Ballad Health in promoting the health and welfare of the communities served, and functions as an advisory board to the Ballad Health Corporate Volunteer/Auxiliary Department. In addition to the volunteers reflected in our "active" volunteer count reported on Line 6 of Part I, home volunteers continue to crochet or knit baby blankets and caps, quilt or sew lap blankets for patients, hats for cancer patients, large Christmas stockings for babies born in December, and other items for cancer patients, as well as perform clerical work from home. Each volunteer helps to ensure that every patient at a Ballad Health facility receives the best possible care. There are many services and special project opportunities for volunteers throughout Ballad Health's service areas. The leadership within Ballad Health volunteer and auxiliary resources departments work very closely with volunteers to ensure appropriate volunteer placement. This allows volunteers to provide service in an area that matches their passions, interests, and abilities. There has been an increase in the number of applications received for student volunteers, many of which are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. Volunteering at a Ballad Health facility enables students to gain practical hands-on experience and helps develop vital skills that can be applied to their careers. It is the auxiliary's responsibility to support these students and educate them on the integration of empathy into the patient experience. This allows these volunteers to create a healthier region by accelerating healthy outcomes for patients, caregivers and communities as current students and as future clinicians. Auxiliary volunteers have the same onboarding process as paid team members; including, but not limited to, required immunizations, orientation, competencies, and unit/department training where they will serve. Annual self-evaluations and educational opportunities are conducted to ensure a consistent provision of quality service to patients, visitors, and team members. Volunteers are also one of the best ways to gain feedback from the communities Ballad Health serves. This input is used to continually improve the care offered at all Ballad Health facilities. Volunteers play a key role in a variety of departments, including business offices, reception desks, gift shops, blood banks, and many others. They work throughout the year to assist hospital staff, patients, and patient families. Some services provided by auxiliary volunteers during the year included: The Pet Therapy Program, active throughout the health system, brings specially trained dogs in to lift the spirits of patients and create a healing environment. Studies have confirmed therapy dogs help people physically, emotionally, and socially by providing greater comfort and happiness; decreasing stress, anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rates; and by providing patients with unconditional love. Each dog in the program is trained and certified by a nationally recognized therapy dog program. Auxiliary pet therapy volunteers are also called to local colleges such as East Tennessee State University, Emory & Henry College, and Milligan University to assist students with stress relief. Additionally, they are present at Camp Firefly, a free, one-day camp designed for children and teenagers who have experienced the death of a loved one. Therapy dogs are there for children who need one-on-one comfort or a few minutes to decompress. The Pet Therapy program has extended to Greeneville Community Hospital, Norton Community Hospital, Bristol Regional Medical Center, Indian Path Community Hospital and will be extending to all Ballad facilities. Volunteers currently staff Johnson City Medical Center's (JCMC) ICU, which is the region's only Level I trauma center. Volunteers also staff JCMC's information desk and surgery waiting room desks. The addition of a new director of volunteers at the Washington County Tennessee hospitals has resulted in an increase of 300% in volunteers and 100% in areas served. Volunteers at Bristol Regional Medical Center and Johnson City Medical Center have begun rounding on patients, which has significantly improved the number of patients surveyed. The Regional Cancer Center of Kingsport located by Indian Path Community Hospital (IPCH) currently has volunteers serving there. The volunteers provide support for the patients, families, and staff by offering drinks, snacks, blankets, and pillows as well as serving lunches. They also provide a Courtesy Cart program which helps facilitate transportation of patients. Most volunteers are cancer survivors who are genuinely interested in the patients as individuals, making the Center's oncology visits less stressful. High school and college students were welcomed into participating here as volunteers and interacting with patients. The students, the patients and the staff proclaimed this program as a success. At Greeneville Community Hospital, volunteers service the outpatient desk, laboratory, radiation oncology, women's center/breast health awareness, and volunteer office. With delivery of gift shop flowers, cards, and newspapers daily, the volunteers strive to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families. The auxiliary has placed a family surgical lounge volunteer in the lounge and in our medical office buildings. Smyth County Community Hospital Auxiliary is continuing to provide Cancer Bags for patients. Bags are filled with items that are appropriate for these patients such as chap stick, lotion, CD's, blankets, water, and other items. This has been very well received by patients. Fresh baked cookies are served in waiting rooms to the visitors at IPCH. Auxiliary-operated gift shops, which are in most Ballad Health hospitals, provide merchandise for patients, visitors, and team members. T
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 June 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 August 1981.
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 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.