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Thistle Farms Inc

EIN 58-2050089 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HELPING WOMEN SURVIVORS RECOVER & HEAL FROM PROSTITUTION, TRAFFICKING, & ADDICTION. WE DO THIS BY PROVIDING A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE PLACE TO LIVE, A MEANINGFUL JOB, AND A LIFELONG SISTERHOOD OF SUPPORT.

Income
$14.7 million
Spending
$13.3 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
168
Volunteers
2,500
Highest pay
$163,122, ceo

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

Good: 81 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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 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 (3)
  1. $1.8 million spent. RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - OUR 2-YEAR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM IS BASED IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. WE ARE ABLE TO HOUSE UP TO 28 RESIDENTS AT A TIME IN A THERAPEUTIC SETTING THAT OFFERS WOMEN SURVIVORS A PEACEFUL PLACE WHERE THEY CAN EXPERIENCE TRANSFORMATIVE, SUSTAINABLE RECOVERY THROUGH TWO YEARS OF RENT-FREE HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, COUNSELING, EMPLOYMENT, AND COMMUNITY BUILDING. WHEN ENTERING THE PROGRAM, OUR RESIDENTS HELP CREATE THEIR OWN PERSONALIZED PLAN FOR THEIR HEALTHCARE AND THERAPEUTIC NEEDS. FOR THE FIRST 4-6 MONTHS, RESIDENTS FOCUS ON RECOVERY, ATTENDING GROUP MEETINGS, MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, INDIVIDUAL THERAPY, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL COURSES. WHILE IN THE PROGRAM, WOMEN ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR OUR SAVINGS PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES A 1 FOR 1 MATCH OF RESIDENT'S SAVINGS PER YEAR. AFTER TWO YEARS IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM, WOMEN BECOME CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION, A CELEBRATORY EVENT THAT TAKES PLACE EACH SPRING. AND AFTER GRADUATION, MANY WOMEN CONTINUE WORKING IN THISTLE FARMS' SOCIAL ENTERPRISES AND OFTEN MOVE INTO FULL-TIME AND SUPERVISORY POSITIONS. OTHERS TAKE THE SKILLS THEY HAVE ACQUIRED AND FIND WORK IN THE COMMUNITY. WE ALSO OFFER A PROGRAM WITHIN THE TENNESSEE PRISON FOR WOMEN CALLED THISTLE ON THE INSIDE, WHICH ALLOWS WOMEN TO BEGIN THEIR HEALING JOURNEY WITHIN PRISON WALLS. WOMEN IN THIS PROGRAM RECEIVE EDUCATION AND GROUP THERAPY THAT, UPON RELEASE, EASES THEIR TRANSITION INTO ONE OF OUR MAGDALENE HOMES. RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - OUR 2-YEAR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM IS BASED IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. WE ARE ABLE TO HOUSE UP TO 28 RESIDENTS AT A TIME IN A THERAPEUTIC SETTING THAT OFFERS WOMEN SURVIVORS A PEACEFUL PLACE WHERE THEY CAN EXPERIENCE TRANSFORMATIVE, SUSTAINABLE RECOVERY THROUGH TWO YEARS OF RENT-FREE HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, COUNSELING, EMPLOYMENT, AND COMMUNITY BUILDING. WHEN ENTERING THE PROGRAM, OUR RESIDENTS HELP CREATE THEIR OWN PERSONALIZED PLAN FOR THEIR HEALTHCARE AND THERAPEUTIC NEEDS. FOR THE FIRST 4-6 MONTHS, RESIDENTS FOCUS ON RECOVERY, ATTENDING GROUP MEETINGS, MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, INDIVIDUAL THERAPY, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL COURSES. WHILE IN THE PROGRAM, WOMEN ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR OUR SAVINGS PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES A 1 FOR 1 MATCH OF RESIDENT'S SAVINGS PER YEAR. AFTER TWO YEARS IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM, WOMEN BECOME CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION, A CELEBRATORY EVENT THAT TAKES PLACE EACH SPRING. AND AFTER GRADUATION, MANY WOMEN CONTINUE WORKING IN THISTLE FARMS' SOCIAL ENTERPRISES AND OFTEN MOVE INTO FULL-TIME AND SUPERVISORY POSITIONS. OTHERS TAKE THE SKILLS THEY HAVE ACQUIRED AND FIND WORK IN THE COMMUNITY. WE ALSO OFFER A PROGRAM WITHIN THE TENNESSEE PRISON FOR WOMEN CALLED THISTLE ON THE INSIDE, WHICH ALLOWS WOMEN TO BEGIN THEIR HEALING JOURNEY WITHIN PRISON WALLS. WOMEN IN THIS PROGRAM RECEIVE EDUCATION AND GROUP THERAPY THAT, UPON RELEASE, EASES THEIR TRANSITION INTO ONE OF OUR MAGDALENE HOMES.
  2. $8.8 million spent. SOCIAL ENTERPRISES - RESIDENTS AND GRADUATES OF OUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM ARE EMPLOYED IN ONE OF OUR SOCIAL ENTERPRISES. HERE THE WOMEN CAN LEARN NEW JOB SKILLS AND MAKE A LIVING WAGE TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES. BODY & HOME, THISTLE FARMS' LARGEST NONPROFIT SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, CREATES NATURAL BATH AND BODY PRODUCTS THAT ARE AS HEALING FOR OUR CUSTOMERS AS THEY ARE FOR THE WOMEN WHO CREATE THEM. WHAT STARTED WITH JUST A FEW VOLUNTEERS IN A CHURCH KITCHEN HAS GROWN INTO A NATIONAL BRAND THAT PRODUCES MORE THAN 20 DIFFERENT PRODUCT LINES. EVERYTHING WE PRODUCE IS HAND POURED IN SMALL BATCHES BY WOMEN SURVIVORS, USING PURE ESSENTIAL OILS TO PROMOTE WELLNESS AND HEALING. OUR PRODUCTS ARE FREE OF SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES, PARABENS, OR PETROLEUM BASED INGREDIENTS. THE CAFE AT THISTLE FARMS IS A RESTAURANT AND SPECIAL EVENT SPACE LOCATED AT THE HEART OF THE THISTLE FARMS CAMPUS. WITH A PRODUCE-DRIVEN, FULL- SERVICE MENU, THE CAFE SERVES LOCALLY-SOURCED BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND NASHVILLE'S ONLY DAILY TEA SERVICE. IN ADDITION, THE CAFE AT THISTLE FARMS OFFERS AN ARRAY OF OPTIONS AND SERVICES FOR SPECIAL EVENTS. THISTLE FARMS GLOBAL CREATES ECONOMIC FREEDOM FOR WOMEN SURVIVORS WORLDWIDE BY HELPING TO LAUNCH NEW SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATING EXISTING ENTERPRISES INTO OUR SUPPLY CHAIN, AND CONNECTING WOMEN PRODUCERS DIRECTLY WITH OUR CUSTOMERS. WITH THE SUPPORT AND SALES GENERATED THROUGH THISTLE FARMS GLOBAL, PARTNER ENTERPRISES CAN HIRE MORE WOMEN, INCREASE WAGES, AND REINVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. SOCIAL ENTERPRISES - RESIDENTS AND GRADUATES OF OUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM ARE EMPLOYED IN ONE OF OUR SOCIAL ENTERPRISES. HERE THE WOMEN CAN LEARN NEW JOB SKILLS AND MAKE A LIVING WAGE TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES. BODY & HOME, THISTLE FARMS' LARGEST NONPROFIT SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, CREATES NATURAL BATH AND BODY PRODUCTS THAT ARE AS HEALING FOR OUR CUSTOMERS AS THEY ARE FOR THE WOMEN WHO CREATE THEM. WHAT STARTED WITH JUST A FEW VOLUNTEERS IN A CHURCH KITCHEN HAS GROWN INTO A NATIONAL BRAND THAT PRODUCES MORE THAN 20 DIFFERENT PRODUCT LINES. EVERYTHING WE PRODUCE IS HAND POURED IN SMALL BATCHES BY WOMEN SURVIVORS, USING PURE ESSENTIAL OILS TO PROMOTE WELLNESS AND HEALING. OUR PRODUCTS ARE FREE OF SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES, PARABENS, OR PETROLEUM BASED INGREDIENTS. THE CAFE AT THISTLE FARMS IS A RESTAURANT AND SPECIAL EVENT SPACE LOCATED AT THE HEART OF THE THISTLE FARMS CAMPUS. WITH A PRODUCE-DRIVEN, FULL- SERVICE MENU, THE CAFE SERVES LOCALLY-SOURCED BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND NASHVILLE'S ONLY DAILY TEA SERVICE. IN ADDITION, THE CAFE AT THISTLE FARMS OFFERS AN ARRAY OF OPTIONS AND SERVICES FOR SPECIAL EVENTS. THISTLE FARMS GLOBAL CREATES ECONOMIC FREEDOM FOR WOMEN SURVIVORS WORLDWIDE BY HELPING TO LAUNCH NEW SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATING EXISTING ENTERPRISES INTO OUR SUPPLY CHAIN, AND CONNECTING WOMEN PRODUCERS DIRECTLY WITH OUR CUSTOMERS. WITH THE SUPPORT AND SALES GENERATED THROUGH THISTLE FARMS GLOBAL, PARTNER ENTERPRISES CAN HIRE MORE WOMEN, INCREASE WAGES, AND REINVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
  3. $120,947 spent. NATIONAL NETWORK - THE THISTLE FARMS NATIONAL NETWORK IS COMPRISED OF LIKE-MINDED ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTED TO CONNECTING SURVIVORS OF PROSTITUTION, TRAFFICKING, AND ADDICTION TO HOPE, HEALING, AND EMPOWERMENT. TO DATE, OVER 90 ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY HAVE PROGRAMS BASED ON THISTLE FARMS' MODEL OF RECOVERY; 57 OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS TO HOUSE WOMEN SURVIVORS, WHILE THE OTHER HALF ARE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.

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

  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 June 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 June 1993.

    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.