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Wears Valley Ranch Inc

EIN 58-1933629 · Sevierville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROMOTE THE SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL, INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL, AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN IN NEED OF A STRONGER FAMILY SUPPORT SYSTEM, THROUGH CHRIST-CENTERED HOME SETTINGS.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
113
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$275,204, director, founder

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: 63 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 10 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

    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, 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 (3)
  1. $1.6 million spent. RESIDENTIAL, COUNSELING AND RECREATION PROGRAMSPROVIDE FOUR HOMES FOR CHILDREN FROM DIFFICULT FAMILY SITUATIONS, GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING TO CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND STAFF WHO CARE FOR THEM. RECREATION INCLUDES THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT USING HORESMENSHIP, CHALLENGE COURSE, SWIMMING, HIKING, AND OTHER SPORTS TO ENCOURAGE FITNESS AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING.
  2. $962,403 spent. EDUCATION PROGRAMPROVIDE ACCREDITED K-12 TUTORIAL EDUCATION TO CHILDREN IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM. CURRICULUM IS TAILORED TO EACH CHILDS LEARNING STYLE AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS. CHILDREN OFTEN ADVANCE RAPIDLY, REACHING GRADE LEVEL OR ADVANCED LEVELS IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ABIDING IN CHRIST RADIO PROVIDES BIBLICAL TEACHING AND COUNSEL TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES. BROADCAST AIRS WEEKDAYS ON XM/SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO.
  3. $498,911 spent. CAMP AND RETREATSCAMP ARROWWOOD IS A WEEK-LONG CHRIST-CENTERED ADVENTURE CAMP PROGRAM TYPICALLY SERVING 400 CAMPERS ANNUALLY. THE RANCH TYPICALLY HOSTS 500 VOLUNTEERS AND RETREAT PARTICIPANTS ANNUALLY FOR SERVICES AND CHRISTIAN RETREATS.

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 March 1991.

    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.