Family and Childrens Service
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF FCS IS TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO HOPE, TO HEALING, AND TO ONE ANOTHER.
- Income
- $15.7 million
- Spending
- $21.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 2.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 100%
- Employees
- 244
- Volunteers
- 40
- Highest pay
- $214,626, 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
Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 58% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 37% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2539 of 39 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 (2)
- $18.7 million spent. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT & STABILITY ------------------------------------ PRIMARY IMPACT: ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT & STABILITY PROGRAMS SERVE NEARLY 1,500 CLIENTS AND ACHIEVE AN AVERAGE 94% SUCCESS RATE IN HELPING THEM OVERCOME BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND REDUCE THEIR DEPENDENCE ON GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. CONNECTING FORWARD : FUNDED BY A GRANT FROM THE TN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, CONNECTING FORWARD IS A NETWORK OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PARTNERS WITH THE SHARED VISION TO CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE, CONNECTED SOCIAL SERVICES NETWORK THROUGH WHICH FAMILIES CAN LEAVE - CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O
- LINE 4A - FIRST ACCOMPLISHMENT (CONTINUED) GENERATIONAL POVERTY; ENTER, RE-ENTER, OR ADVANCE IN THE WORKFORCE; AND REDUCE, OR PREFERABLY ELIMINATE, DEPENDENCE ON TANF AND OTHER GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS. CONNECTING FORWARD SERVES CLIENTS IN 28 MIDDLE TENNESSEE COUNTIES. FAMILY FOCUSED SOLUTIONS (FFS): FFS COUNSELORS ASSIST FAMILIES RECEIVING TANF (TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES) BENEFITS WHO EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. PARTICIPANTS ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION, LEARNING DISABILITIES, PARENTING NEEDS, AND HEALTH ISSUES. F&CS OPERATES FFS PROGRAMS IN 26 MIDDLE TENNESSEE COUNTIES FOR THE TN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION ------------------------------------ PRIMARY IMPACT: SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION ANNUALLY SERVES NEARLY 8,000 CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT KEEP CHILDREN IN SCHOOL AND LEARNING. COMMUNITY SCHOOLS: COMMUNITY SCHOOLS CONNECT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES TO A BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES (SUCH AS BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE, SOCIAL SERVICES, ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING, AND ADULT EDUCATION) THAT REMOVE BARRIERS TO SUCCESS IN SCHOOL. AN ON-SITE COORDINATOR BRINGS COMMUNITY PARTNERS TOGETHER TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES. F&CS ADMINISTERS THE PROGRAM FOR 20 METRO NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SERVES NEARLY 50% OF THE TOTAL STUDENT POPULATION AT THOSE SCHOOLS. CHILD & FAMILY PERMANENCY ------------------------------------ PRIMARY IMPACT: CHILD & FAMILY PERMANENCY PROGRAMS SERVED MORE THAN 2,100 CHILDREN AND ADULTS AND ACHIEVED A 98% SUCCESS RATE IN ENSURING CHILDREN ARE IN SAFE, LOVING HOMES, BY ACHIEVING ADOPTION OR REMAINING IN THE CARE OF RELATIVE CAREGIVERS. RELATIVE CAREGIVER PROGRAM (RCP): THE RCP PROGRAM PROVIDES EMOTIONAL AND PRACTICAL SUPPORTS FOR CHILDREN AND THE NON-PARENTAL RELATIVES WHO CARE FOR THEM. THESE RELATIVES STEP IN TO CARE FOR CHILDREN WHEN THEIR PARENTS CANNOT, DUE TO INCARCERATION, SUBSTANCE USE, ABANDONMENT, ABUSE, OR OTHER ISSUES. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO KEEP THESE CHILDREN WITH LOVING FAMILY MEMBERS AND OUT OF STATE CUSTODY. F&CS OPERATES RCP PROGRAMS IN 13 MIDDLE TENNESSEE COUNTIES FOR THE TN DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES. WENDY'S WONDERFUL KIDS (WWK): WWK RECRUITS ADOPTIVE PARENTS FOR OLDER CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS FOSTER HOME PLACEMENTS, AND THOSE THAT HAVE ENDURED SEVERE TRAUMA. THE WWK RECRUITER ALSO PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN PREPARING THE FAMILY AND THE CHILD FOR THE TRANSITION TO PERMANENCY. F&CS' WWK RECRUITERS PARTNER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES OFFICE IN DAVIDSON COUNTY. MENTAL HEALTH ------------------------------------ PRIMARY IMPACT: MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS ANNUALLY SERVE MORE THAN 41,000 CHILDREN AND ADULTS AND ACHIEVES AN AVERAGE 96% SUCCESS RATE IN PROGRESS TOWARD CLINICAL TREATMENT GOALS, DEESCALATING CRISIS SITUATIONS, AND IMPROVED CLIENT SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE. COUNSELING SERVICES: F&CS CLINICAL THERAPISTS SERVE HUNDREDS OF CLIENTS EACH YEAR THROUGH INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND GROUP THERAPY. COUNSELING SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT THE HONEY ALEXANDER CENTER AND AT PARTNER NONPROFITS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. THERAPISTS ASSIST CLIENTS WITH A FULL RANGE OF CHILD, INDIVIDUAL, AND FAMILY NEEDS. 9-8-8 CRISIS LINE: 9-8-8 IS A NATIONWIDE CRISIS LINE FOR PEOPLE IN ALL KINDS OF CRISES. IT PROVIDES FREE, TELEPHONE AND TEXT-BASED CRISIS INTERVENTION TO ANYONE THAT NEEDS IT, 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. CRISIS SPECIALISTS ASSIST CALLERS STRUGGLING WITH THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, GRIEF, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ADDICTION, OR TRAUMA. F&CS OPERATES THE 9-8-8 CRISIS LINE FOR DAVIDSON COUNTY. CHILD AND FAMILY PERMANENCY: F&CS CLINICAL THERAPISTS PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES AT RISK FOR OR CURRENTLY ENGAGED WITH THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM IN DAVIDSON COUNTY. ALL INTERVENTIONS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP BUILD LIFE SKILLS AND COPING STRATEGIES TO AMELIORATE THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF TRAUMA AND EMPOWER CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO LIVE HEALTHIER, MORE PRODUCTIVE LIVES. FAMILY FOCUSED SOLUTIONS (FFS): FFS COUNSELORS ASSIST FAMILIES RECEIVING TANF (TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES) BENEFITS WHO EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. PARTICIPANTS ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION, LEARNING DISABILITIES, PARENTING NEEDS, AND HEALTH ISSUES. F&CS OPERATES FFS PROGRAMS IN 26 MIDDLE TENNESSEE COUNTIES FOR THE TN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS (SOSL): F&CS HOSTS WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUPS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE TO SUICIDE, BECAUSE AS MANY AS ONE IN FOUR SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE WILL ATTEMPT SUICIDE THEMSELVES. THESE GROUPS OFFER THE HEALING OF SHARED EXPERIENCE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. SOSL GROUPS ARE OFFERED IN DAVIDSON AND WILLIAMSON COUNTIES. ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE ------------------------------------ PRIMARY IMPACT: ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS SERVES MORE THAN 17,000 CHILDREN AND ADULTS BY PROVIDING CONNECTING THEM TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE OR HELPING THEM FIND COMMUNITY-BASED CHARITY CARE. GET COVERED TENNESSEE : F&CS HEALTHCARE NAVIGATORS PROVIDE FREE AND UNBIASED ASSISTANCE TO CLIENTS ACROSS THE STATE WHO NEED AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE. NAVIGATORS ASSIST CLIENTS WITH SELECTING AND APPLYING FOR AN INSURANCE PLAN THROUGH THE FEDERAL INSURANCE MARKETPLACE, TENNCARE, AND/OR COVERKIDS. HEALTH ASSIST: THE HEALTH ASSIST PROGRAM PROVIDES UNDER AND UNINSURED TENNESSEANS WITH INFORMATION AND REFERRAL TO LOW AND NO-COST, COMMUNITY- BASED HEALTH CARE RESOURCES (INCLUDING MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, PRESCRIPTION, MENTAL HEALTH, AND OTHER RESOURCES). SPECIALISTS ALSO SCREEN ALL CALLERS FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLICLY FUNDED HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS. LANGUAGE SERVICES: F&CS PROVIDES FEE-BASED, PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETER SERVICES IN NEARLY 30 LANG
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 February 1955.
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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