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Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands

EIN 62-0800756 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENFORCE, ADVANCE AND DEFEND THE CIVIL LEGAL RIGHTS OF LOW INCOME AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY ON BEHALF OF ELDERLY, CHILDREN, VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, BY PROVIDING FREE, CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP OBTAIN FOR THEM THE BASIC NECESSITIES OF LIFE, INCLUDING FOOD, SHELTER, SAFETY AND HEALTHCARE.

Income
$15.1 million
Spending
$13.7 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
4.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 78%
Employees
144
Volunteers
545
Highest pay
$184,996, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • 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 December 31, 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 (1)
  1. $11.3 million spent. THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY GIVES FREE LEGAL AID TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN. IT PROVIDES DIRECT LEGAL ASSISTANCE, SELF-HELP BROCHURES AND ADVICE TO INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS AND LEGAL EDUCATION TO GROUPS AND THE PUBLIC. ITS FUNDAMENTAL MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SAFETY AND STABILITY TO FAMILIES AND CHILDREN. IT HELPS THEM BY PREVENTING AND ENDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; OBTAINING INCOME (FROM PUBLIC BENEFITS SUCH AS SOCIAL SECURITY, FOOD STAMPS AND WELFARE AND EMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION); RESOLVING INCOME TAX DISPUTES; OBTAINING HEALTH INSURANCE AND HEALTH SERVICES; RESOLVING CONSUMER DISPUTES; GAINING AND PROTECTING HOUSING, AND ASSURING APPROPRIATE EDUCATION AND OTHER SERVICES FOR CHILDREN. IN 2024, LEGAL AID HANDLED 7,143 CASES. VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS WORKING THROUGH LEGAL AID SOCIETY VOLUNTEER LAWYERS PROGRAM HANDLED AN ADDITIONAL 1,191 CASES. AN ADDITIONAL 59 CASES WERE HANDLED THROUGH OUR CONTRACT ATTORNEY PROGRAM (CAP). DONATED LEGAL SERVICES FOR 2024 TOTAL $1,210,688.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 December 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.