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Knoxville Area Urban League

EIN 62-0797293 · Knoxville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

KNOXVILLE AREA URBAN LEAGUE, INC.'S MISSION IS TO ENABLE AFRICAN AMERICANS, OTHER MINORITY GROUPS AND THE UNDERSERVED TO SECURE ECONOMIC SELF-RELIANCE, PARITY, POWER AND CIVIL RIGHTS.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
28.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 48%
Employees
14
Volunteers
305
Highest pay
$135,887, president

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: 66 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 28.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 29 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $505,298 spent. HOUSING - THE LEAGUE OPERATES AS A HUD-CERTIFIED NON-PROFIT COUNSELING AGENCY TO BOOST THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESSFUL HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL CAPACITY INSTRUCTION, HOMEOWNERSHIP COURSES FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS, AND FORECLOSURE COUNSELING TO HELP HOMEOWNERS STAY IN THEIR HOME. FORECLOSURE COUNSELING OR FORECLOSURE PREVENTION INLCUDES A THOROUGH FINANCIAL ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE CLIENT'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN THE MORTGAGE AND HELP IN WORKING WITH THE CLIENT'S LENDING INSTITUTION TO DEVELOP A MUTUALLY AGREEABLE REPAYMENT STRUCTURE TO PREVENT DEFAULT AND/OR FORECLOSURE AND BUDGET COUNSELING TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FUTURE MORTGAGE PAYMENT PROBLEMS. FINANCIAL LITERACY INSTRUCTION TEACHES CLIENTS HOW TO CREATE A HOUSEHOLD BUDGET, UNDERSTAND THEIR SPENDING HABITS AND MAKE WISE SPENDING CHOICES AND BUILD THEIR CREDIT. THE LEAGUE PROVIDES CLIENTS WITH DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HOUSING AND UTILITY SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH A GRANT PROGRAM. HOUSING - THE LEAGUE OPERATES AS A HUD-CERTIFIED NON-PROFIT COUNSELING AGENCY TO BOOST THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESSFUL HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL CAPACITY INSTRUCTION, HOMEOWNERSHIP COURSES FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS, AND FORECLOSURE COUNSELING TO HELP HOMEOWNERS STAY IN THEIR HOME. FORECLOSURE COUNSELING OR FORECLOSURE PREVENTION INLCUDES A THOROUGH FINANCIAL ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE CLIENT'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN THE MORTGAGE AND HELP IN WORKING WITH THE CLIENT'S LENDING INSTITUTION TO DEVELOP A MUTUALLY AGREEABLE REPAYMENT STRUCTURE TO PREVENT DEFAULT AND/OR FORECLOSURE AND BUDGET COUNSELING TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FUTURE MORTGAGE PAYMENT PROBLEMS. FINANCIAL LITERACY INSTRUCTION TEACHES CLIENTS HOW TO CREATE A HOUSEHOLD BUDGET, UNDERSTAND THEIR SPENDING HABITS AND MAKE WISE SPENDING CHOICES AND BUILD THEIR CREDIT. THE LEAGUE PROVIDES CLIENTS WITH DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HOUSING AND UTILITY SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH A GRANT PROGRAM.
  2. $345,908 spent. YOUTH - THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH PROGRAM PROVIDES MENTORING, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES TO STUDENTS. THE NATIONAL ACHIEVERS HONOR SOCIETY PROGRAM PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH YEAR-LONG PROGRAMMING, OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE, AN ACADEMIC SUMMIT, WORKSHOPS ON TOPICS SUCH AS ETIQUETTE, AND NETWORKING AND COLLEGE TOURS.
  3. $301,075 spent. TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES - IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNITED WAY OF GREATER KNOXVILLE, THE LEAGUE PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES IN THE FORM OF RENT AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE, CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE AND OTHER EMERGENCIY NEEDS.
  4. $351,848 spent. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LOAN PROGRAM - THE LEAGUE OPERATES A LOAN PROGRAM, ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER. AS A CERTIFIED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, THE LOAN AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE CAPITAL, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES NEEDED TO START OR EXPAND A BUSINESS. THIS ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC SELF- SUFFICIENCY. THE LEAGUE PROVIDES ONE-ON-ONE FINANCIAL PLANNING AND COACHING, BUDGET AND CREDIT COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE OPENING CHECKING AND SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. WHEN CLIENTS UTILIZE MULTIPLE LEAGUE SERVICES, THE LEAGUE USES A TEAM APPROACH TO DELIVER INTEGRATED SERVICES THAT INVOLVE EACH DEPARTMENT IMPACTED (WORKFORCE, YOUTH, HOUSING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LOAN PROGRAM) TO ENSURE A SEAMLESS CONTINUUM OF SERVICES TO THE CLIENT. WORKFORCE - THE LEAGUE OFFERS AN EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT AIDS A BROAD RANGE OF INDIVIDUALS INCLUDING: THE CHRONICALLY UNEMPLOYED, MATURE WORKERS REENTERING THE JOB MARKET, AND COLLEGE GRADUATES. THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES BARRIERS USING PROFESSIONAL CAREER COUNSELORS WHO PROVIDE INDIVDIUAL AND GROUP CAREER COUNSELING, VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENTS, RESUME DEVELOPMENT, JOB SEARCH, JOB REFERRALS AND JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE. THE LEAGUE ALSO WORKS WITH AREA EMPLOYERS TO IDENTIFY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND IDENTIFY AND PRE-SCREEN EMPLOYEES.
  5. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LOAN PROGRAM - THE LEAGUE OPERATES A LOAN PROGRAM, ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER. AS A CERTIFIED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, THE LOAN AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE CAPITAL, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES NEEDED TO START OR EXPAND A BUSINESS. THIS ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC SELF- SUFFICIENCY. THE LEAGUE PROVIDES ONE-ON-ONE FINANCIAL PLANNING AND COACHING, BUDGET AND CREDIT COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE OPENING CHECKING AND SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. WHEN CLIENTS UTILIZE MULTIPLE LEAGUE SERVICES, THE LEAGUE USES A TEAM APPROACH TO DELIVER INTEGRATED SERVICES THAT INVOLVE EACH DEPARTMENT IMPACTED (WORKFORCE, YOUTH, HOUSING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LOAN PROGRAM) TO ENSURE A SEAMLESS CONTINUUM OF SERVICES TO THE CLIENT. WORKFORCE - THE LEAGUE OFFERS AN EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT AIDS A BROAD RANGE OF INDIVIDUALS INCLUDING: THE CHRONICALLY UNEMPLOYED, MATURE WORKERS REENTERING THE JOB MARKET, AND COLLEGE GRADUATES. THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES BARRIERS USING PROFESSIONAL CAREER COUNSELORS WHO PROVIDE INDIVDIUAL AND GROUP CAREER COUNSELING, VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENTS, RESUME DEVELOPMENT, JOB SEARCH, JOB REFERRALS AND JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE. THE LEAGUE ALSO WORKS WITH AREA EMPLOYERS TO IDENTIFY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND IDENTIFY AND PRE-SCREEN EMPLOYEES.

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 September 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.