Urban League of Middle Tennessee
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission is to help African Americans & others in underserved communities achieve their highest true social parity, economic self-reliance, power and civil rights. The League promotes economic empowerment for those in Middle TN.
- Income
- $9.5 million
- Spending
- $9.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 58%
- Employees
- 35
- Volunteers
- 44
- Highest pay
- $162,334, president & 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
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 83% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2527 of 27 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 (5)
- $3.8 million spent. Real Estate Developers (R.E.D.) Academy empowers diverse developers (fellows) with the knowledge, resources, and connections to scale their businesses and further their impact on the real estate development market in Davidson County. It is an in-depth program specifically focused on the local MSA (Nashville, Davidson County) with an emphasis on creating affordable and attainable housing.
- $2.5 million spent. Advancing Workforce Equity (AWE) program helps participants achieve economic stability. We provide crucial services for job seekers and career advancement focusing on soft skills and job readiness skills to guide participants in developing strong interpersonal skills and effective communication. This initiative addresses educational and economic disparities, fostering economic self-reliance and enhancing participants' quality of life.
- $1.3 million spent. Tennessee Youth Employment Program (TYEP) is the nations largest youth employment program, connecting youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experiences each summer and throughout the year. By participating in these structured career exploration and work-based opportunities, youth are better prepared for their chosen career path.
- $455,717 spent. Other programs to assist participants achieve economic stability providing training and other supportive services.
- $262,371 spent. OUR EFFORTS ARE CENTERED AROUND PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES THAT ADDRESS OUR FIVE FOCUS AREAS OF WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; YOUTH AND EDUCATION; HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE; HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; AND SOCIAL JUSTICE AND CIVIC.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1968.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.