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Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services

EIN 62-0979831 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TALS STRENGTHENS THE DELIVERY OF CIVIL LEGAL HELP TO VULNERABLE TENNESSEANS BY SIMPLIFYING THE SEARCH FOR CIVIL LEGAL HELP, BEING A LEADING & UNIFYING VOICE AND ESTABLISHING A CENTER FOR INNOVATION, TRAINING & EXPERTISE.

Income
$6.6 million
Spending
$6.6 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 94%
Employees
11
Volunteers
187
Highest pay
$128,402, 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 81% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 127% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    31 of 31 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

    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 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 (2)
  1. $483,510 spent. TALS SERVES AS A CENTER OF INNOVATION, TRAINING AND EXPERTISE FOR CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS AND PRO BONO ATTORNEYS IN TN; SIMPLIFIES THE SEARCH FOR LEGAL HELP AND SERVES AS A LEADING AND UNIFYING VOICE IN THE CIVIL JUSTICE COMMUNITY. PROVIDED LEGAL INFORMATION, LEGAL ADVICE AND/OR REFERRAL TO DISADVANTAGED TENNESSEANS THROUGH ITS TOLLFREE LEGAL HELPLINE 1844HELP4TN, ONLINE LEGAL ADVICE SERVICE TNFREELEGALANSWERS.ORG, AND LEGAL INFORMATION PORTAL HELP4TN.ORG APP.
  2. $5.7 million spent. GRANTS MANAGEMENT OVERSEES THE PASSTHROUGH OF FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES GRANTS TO LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDERS PROVIDING SSI AND FAMILY CENTERED LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE OF TENNESSEE AS PART OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE'S TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) FUNDING.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1997.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.