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Martha Obryan Center Inc

EIN 62-0477728 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ON A FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH, MARTHA O'BRYAN CENTER EMPOWERSCHILDREN, YOUTH, AND ADULTS IN POVERTY TO TRANSFORM THEIR LIVESTHROUGH WORK, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND FELLOWSHIP.

Income
$37.8 million
Spending
$40.6 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 52%
Employees
514
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$239,200, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (religion, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 59% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (religion, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 27 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, 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 (3)
  1. $14.5 million spent. EAST END PREPARATORY (880 SERVED) EAST END PREPARATORY (OUR INAUGURAL K-8 CHARTER SCHOOL) CENTERS ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND FOSTERS A COLLEGE-GOING CULTURE AMONG STUDENTS. TEACHERS PARTNER WITH STUDENTS TO CULTIVATE SCHOLARSHIP, CITIZENSHIP, AND LEADERSHIP, BEGINNING THE ROAD TO COLLEGE IN KINDERGARTEN.
  2. $12.3 million spent. EXPLORE! COMMUNITY SCHOOL (520 SERVED) EXPLORE! COMMUNITY SCHOOL (OUR SECOND K-8 CHARTER SCHOOL) OPENED IN AUGUST 2015 AND USES PROJECT-BASED LEARNING TO ENSURE STUDENTS DEVELOP A LOVE FOR LEARNING, IMPROVE CRITICALTHINKING AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AND MASTER THE ACADEMIC AND SOCIALEMOTIONAL BUILDING BLOCKS NEEDED FOR HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND CAREER SUCCESS.
  3. $6.3 million spent. FAMILY SUCCESS NETWORK (180 SERVED) OPENED MARCH 2020 IS A COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND FAMILY STABILITY INTEGRATED PROGRAM FOR TANF FAMILIES LIVING IN ZIP CODES 37206 AND 37216. THIS APPROACH RELIES ON FAMILY-CENTERED COACHING, CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS TO EARLY LEARNING SERVICES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 February 2004.

    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.