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Leadership Nashville Foundation

EIN 62-0986090 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LEADERSHIP NASHVILLE IDENTIFIES AND INVITES A DIVERSE CROSS-SECTION OF PROFESSIONAL, CIVIC AND CHARITABLE LEADERS TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTENSIVE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO GIVE THEM A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$918,986
Spending
$863,775
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
19.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
2
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$237,489, executive director

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 70 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    32 of 32 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    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 (2)
  1. $506,186 spent. LEADERSHIP NASHVILLE FOUNDATION IDENTIFIES AND INVITES A DIVERSE CROSS-SECTION OF PROFESSIONAL, CIVIC AND CHARITABLE LEADERS TO PARTICIPATE IN A ONE YEAR, INTENSIVE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO GIVE THEM A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO EDUCATE APPROXIMATELY 46 PARTICIPANTS EACH YEAR TO WIDELY DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON ISSUES FACING THIS COMMUNITY AND TO BUILD TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN THE PARTICIPANTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. IT IS AN INDEPENDENT, EXECUTIVE LEVEL PROGRAM FOUNDED IN 1976. THE CLASS OF 2024/2025 CONSISTED OF 46 PARTICIPANTS WHO MET OVER NINE PROGRAM SESSIONS (SEVEN DAY LONG SESSIONS BOOKENDED BY OVERNIGHT RETREATS).
  2. $168,939 spent. QUARTERLY, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES PROGRAMS AND EVENTS FOR ALUMNI OF LEADERSHIP NASHVILLE. THESE SESSIONS ARE INTENDED TO CONTINUE THE DEBATE AND DISCUSSION AMONG THE GRADUATES OF THE PROGRAM ON CURRENT COMMUNITY ISSUES AND TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE LEADERS TO CONTINUE BUILDING TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN ALUMNI. THERE ARE MORE THAN 1,600 ALUMNI; APPROXIMATELY 85% LIVE AND WORK IN THE MIDDLE TENNESSEE 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 January 1977.

    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.