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Douglas-Cherokee Economic Authority Inc

EIN 62-0752586 · Morristown, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DOUGLAS-CHEROKEE ECONOMIC AUTHORITY, INC. IS A COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY SERVING SIX (6) RURAL APPALACHIAN COUNTIES EAST TENNESSEE-COCKE, GRAINGER, HAMBLEN, JEFFERSON, MONROE AND SEVIER. THE PURPOSE OF THE AGENCY IS TO HELP FAMILIES LIVING IN POVERTY IMPROVE THEIR LIVES BY PROVIDING THEM WITH ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES. THE FOCUS OF THE AGENCY IS TO HELP PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES.

Income
$23.8 million
Spending
$24.6 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
-1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 89%
Employees
635
Highest pay
$110,786, exec directo

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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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 (5)
  1. $11.5 million spent. U.S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES- HEADSTART PROGRAM- A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO LOW INCOME CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL, HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL SERVICES.
  2. $5.8 million spent. U.S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION- THE PURPOSE OF THESE PROGRAMS IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIY IN THE APPALACHIAN REGION TO POVERTY LEVEL FAMILIES.
  3. $1.7 million spent. U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT - TO PROVIDE INCOME AND ADVISORY EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES.
  4. $4.4 million spent. TN DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE, HUD, FEMA, EAST TN HUMAN RESOURCE AGENCY, AND OTHER PROGRAMS - TO PROVIDE NUTRITION, HOUSING, COUNSELING AND OTHER PROGRAMS TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN THE AGENCY'S SERVICE AREA.
  5. TN DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE, HUD, FEMA, EAST TN HUMAN RESOURCE AGENCY, AND OTHER PROGRAMS - TO PROVIDE NUTRITION, HOUSING, COUNSELING AND OTHER PROGRAMS TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN THE AGENCY'S SERVICE AREA.

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 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 2025.

    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 October 1968.

    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.