United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
EACH YEAR, UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE SERVES TENNESSEE WITH PROGRAMS TARGETED AT OUR MISSION TO ADVANCE THE INDEPENDENCE AND FULL CITIZENSHIP OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES WHO HAVE A VARIETY OF DISABILITIES WITH FOCUS ON DISABILITIES THAT PRIMARILY AFFECT MOBILITY. UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE SERVES AS THE AREA CLEARINGHOUSE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONDITION KNOWN AS CEREBRAL PALSY, AND WE ADVOCATE FOR SOUND PUBLIC POLICY TO ADVANCE THE RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS WE SERVE WITH ALL FORMS OF DISABILITIES. OUR VISION IS A FULLY INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY, WHERE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL; A COMMUNITY WHERE ALL PERSONS REALIZE THE PROMISE OF INTEGRATION, SELF-DIRECTION, AND QUALITY OF LIFE CHOICES. OUR CONSUMERS HAVE A WIDE VARIETY OF PHYSICAL DISABILITIES-AT PRESENT, APPROXIMATELY 22% OF UCP CONSUMERS HAVE CEREBRAL PALSY, AND 78% HAVE DISABILITIES OTHER THAN CEREB
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- -1.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 57%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 829
- Highest pay
- $86,895, executive di
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
Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 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
0 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 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 (5)
- $462,527 spent. THE DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM PROVIDES DURABLE MEDICAL AND ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT AND ESSENTIAL HYGIENE AND OTHER SUPPLIES TO PEOPLE THROUGHOUT TENNESSEE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR DIAGNOSIS. THE AGENCY ACQUIRES NEW AND GENTLY USED DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS NEW, UNOPENED SUPPLIES, TO DISTRIBUTE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE LITTLE OR NO INSURANCE AND NO OTHER RESOURCES TO OBTAIN THE ITEMS THEY NEED. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THE PROGRAM SUPPLIED 1,401 PLACEMENTS TO 458 RECIPIENTS. SERVICE DATA DOES NOT REFLECT THE ADDITIONAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO RECEIVED SERVICES THROUGH 29 SCHOOLS, CHARITIES, HOSPITALS AND OTHER QUALIFYING ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS WITH THE EQUIPMENT THEY RECEIVE.
- $442,296 spent. THE RUTHERFORD COUNTY FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES TO REMAIN TOGETHER IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH PROVISION OF DIRECT SUPPORTS FOR DISABILITY-RELATED EXPENSES THAT ARE NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE OR OTHER STATE-PROVIDED PROGRAMS. THE TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE ESTABLISHED THE FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM TO SERVE EACH COUNTY IN TENNESSEE. UCP PROVIDES THIS SERVICE FOR RUTHERFORD COUNTY. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY STATE DOLLARS THROUGH THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THE PROGRAM SUPPLIED SERVICES TO 181 PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY.
- $268,456 spent. UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY BUILDS RAMPS AND COORDINATES STATE-WIDE CONSTRUCTION OF WHEELCHAIR RAMPS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MOBILITY DISABILITIES WHOSE HOMES ARE WITHOUT PROPER ACCESSIBILITY. WE ALSO PERFORM A LIMITED NUMBER OF DISABILITY-RELATED HOUSING MODIFICATIONS, SUCH AS BATHROOM MODIFICATIONS FOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESS. WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH COLLABORATING AGENCIES, VOLUNTEERS FROM CHURCHES, CIVIC CLUBS, AND OTHER AREA GROUPS, UCP SPEARHEADS THE CONSTRUCTION OF WHEELCHAIR RAMPS ON TO THE HOMES OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. LUMBER AND SUPPLIES FOR THE PROGRAM ARE FUNDED THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE TENNESSEE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (THDA). IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THE PROGRAM SUPPLIED SERVICES TO 141 PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ACROSS TENNESSEE.
- $62,334 spent. THE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS A JOINT PROJECT WITH THE TENNESSEE COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THIS FUND IS NON-DISABILITY SPECIFIC, AND IS AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. THE FUND ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR ASSISTANTS OR FAMILY MEMBERS TO ATTEND DISABILITY-RELATED EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS, AND IT PROMOTES AND DEVELOPS SELF-ADVOCACY SKILLS AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THE PROGRAM SUPPLIED SERVICES TO 460 INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THE PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. SPORTS AND RECREATION: THE UCP SPORTS AND RECREATION PROGRAM IS A VOLUNTEER-SPEARHEADED SEASONAL ACTIVITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT TAKES PLACE ON DESIGNATED THURSDAY EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL, BOWLING, PICNICS AND SPECIAL OUTINGS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THE PROGRAM ENCOMPASSED SERVICES TO 35 INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. HOLIDAY GIVING: EACH YEAR VOLUNTEERS GATHER AND DISTRIBUTE GIFTS FOR FAMILIES CARING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN OUR EXISTING PROGRAMS WHOSE RESOURCES AND FAMILY SUPPORTS ARE SEVERELY LIMITED. UCP VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE GIFT CERTIFICATES AND/OR ESSENTIALS SUCH AS STAPLE, NONPERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS, WARM CLOTHING, BATH AND BEDDING ITEMS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THE ACTIVITY ENCOMPASSED SERVICES TO 28 INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, INCLUDING A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF SENIORS WITH AGING-RELATED DISABILITIES. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES: UCP STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ANNUALLY RESPOND TO HUNDREDS OF OFFICE VISITS, PHONE CALLS, EMAILS AND DIRECT REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION FROM INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND FAMILY MEMBERS ABOUT UNMET NEEDS FOR A VARIETY OF DISABILITIES AS WELL AS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONDITION KNOWN AS CEREBRAL PALSY. PUBLIC EDUCATION: UCP STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION THOUGH A VARIETY OF PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, ONLINE SERVICES, NEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES GEARED TOWARD EDUCATION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT DISABILITY NEEDS AND SOUND PUBLIC POLICY INITIATIVES.
- THE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS A JOINT PROJECT WITH THE TENNESSEE COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THIS FUND IS NON-DISABILITY SPECIFIC, AND IS AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. THE FUND ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR ASSISTANTS OR FAMILY MEMBERS TO ATTEND DISABILITY-RELATED EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS, AND IT PROMOTES AND DEVELOPS SELF-ADVOCACY SKILLS AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THE PROGRAM SUPPLIED SERVICES TO 460 INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THE PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. SPORTS AND RECREATION: THE UCP SPORTS AND RECREATION PROGRAM IS A VOLUNTEER-SPEARHEADED SEASONAL ACTIVITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT TAKES PLACE ON DESIGNATED THURSDAY EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL, BOWLING, PICNICS AND SPECIAL OUTINGS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THE PROGRAM ENCOMPASSED SERVICES TO 35 INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. HOLIDAY GIVING: EACH YEAR VOLUNTEERS GATHER AND DISTRIBUTE GIFTS FOR FAMILIES CARING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN OUR EXISTING PROGRAMS WHOSE RESOURCES AND FAMILY SUPPORTS ARE SEVERELY LIMITED. UCP VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE GIFT CERTIFICATES AND/OR ESSENTIALS SUCH AS STAPLE, NONPERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS, WARM CLOTHING, BATH AND BEDDING ITEMS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THE ACTIVITY ENCOMPASSED SERVICES TO 28 INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, INCLUDING A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF SENIORS WITH AGING-RELATED DISABILITIES. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES: UCP STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ANNUALLY RESPOND TO HUNDREDS OF OFFICE VISITS, PHONE CALLS, EMAILS AND DIRECT REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION FROM INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND FAMILY MEMBERS ABOUT UNMET NEEDS FOR A VARIETY OF DISABILITIES AS WELL AS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONDITION KNOWN AS CEREBRAL PALSY. PUBLIC EDUCATION: UCP STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION THOUGH A VARIETY OF PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, ONLINE SERVICES, NEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES GEARED TOWARD EDUCATION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT DISABILITY NEEDS AND SOUND PUBLIC POLICY INITIATIVES.
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 March 1986.
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.
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