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The Dr Robert F Thomas Foundation Inc

EIN 58-1537582 · Knoxville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 15% 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 Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation raises funds, and administers and distributes charitable support to LeConte Medical Center in support of the hospital's mission to improve the quality of life in our community through better health.

Income
$582,343
Spending
$355,258
Spent on programs
15%
Reserves
46.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 66%
Employees
0
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$3.2 million, president & ceo

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 46.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 73% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 279% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    15% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 38 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 15 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    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, 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 (4)
  1. $34,846 spent. Patient and Employee Emergency Assistance:Each year funds are contributed, primarily through Covenant Health's annual WeCare Employee Giving Campaign, to assist employees and patients in times of crisis. Support includes assistance with housing, transportation, food, clothing, medicines/medical supplies, utilities, disaster recovery (i.e. flood, tornado, fire), and unexpected funeral expenses. In 2024, assistance was provided to 26 employees and 12 patients at LeConte Medical Center.
  2. $9,322 spent. Cardia Rehabilitation Patient Scholarships:Just over $9,300 was distributed in 2024 to LeConte Medical Center to support scholarships for seven patients in need of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation services who do not have insurance coverage or the ability to pay.
  3. $4,000 spent. Birthing Center:Contributions to the foundation supported the production of postpartum and newborn education booklets in both English and Spanish for parents whose babies were born at LeConte Medical Center.
  4. $4,413 spent. The Foundation supports a variety of other programs and services at LeConte Medical Center. In 2024, those additional distributions included:Through the Paint the Mountains Pink campaign, the Foundation provided funding for free screening mammograms for uninsured/underinsured women and for breast health education materials used throughout our community to educate hundreds of people about the importance of mammography screenings.The Foundation also funded the purchase of patient education materials for LeConte Medical Center patients recovering from strokes.Additionally, several clinical staff selected by the medical staff leadership at LeConte Medical Center received funding from the Foundation to complete advanced clinical education/certification.

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 2024.

    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 April 2023.

    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.