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Nfib Small Businees Legal Center

EIN 62-1570449 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NFIB SMALL BUSINESS LEGAL CENTER IS A NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION CREATED UNDER THE TENNESSEE NONPROFIT CORPORATION ACT. IT IS ORGANIZED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, AND SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES AS PERMITTED BY SECTION 501(C)(3) (SEE SCH O)

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
5
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$1.3 million, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 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, 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 (1)
  1. $1.1 million spent. NFIB SMALL BUSINESS LEGAL CENTER (SBLC) 2025 CASE LIST (*DESIGNATES CASES WHERE NFIB IS A PLAINTIFF/PETITIONER) *CUSTOM COMMUNICATIONS V. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (1/2/25) - US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT NFIB SBLC FILED A PETITION TO OVERTURN THE FTC'S CLICK-TO-CANCEL RULE IN OUR LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE RULE. STATUS: DECIDED. *MCCARTY V. MISSOURI SECRETARY OF STATE (1/3/25) - MISSOURI SUPREME COURT NFIB SBLC JOINED A BUSINESS COALITION IN FILING MOTION TO INTERVENE IN CHALLENGE TO MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES AND PAID SICK LEAVE EMPLOYER MANDATES. STATUS: DECIDED. WARREN V. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (1/9/25) - US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF CHALLENGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR RULE, SUPPORTING ARGUMENT THAT PLAINTIFFS HAVE STANDING. STATUS: PENDING. *TEXAS TOP COP V. GARLAND (1/10/25) - US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT NFIB SBLC FILED BRIEFS IN NFIB'S LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT. STATUS: PENDING. JAKE'S FIREWORKS V. CPSC (1/29/25) - US SUPREME COURT CERTIORARI NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF ARGUING THAT THREATS OF ENFORCEMENT ARE FINAL AGENCY ACTION FOR WHICH JUDICIAL REVIEW IS RIPE. STATUS: DECIDED. COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS INSTITUTE V. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY (1/30/25) - US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF ARGUING THAT CONGRESS EXCEEDED ITS CONSTITUTIONAL COMMERCE POWER IN ENACTING THE CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT BECAUSE THE ACT REGULATES INACTIVITY OR NONECONOMIC ACTIVITY. STATUS: PENDING. *MN ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS V. ELLISON (1/31/25) - US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT NFIB SBLC FILED A RESPONSE BRIEF IN ITS LAWSUIT AGAINST MINNESOTA LAW BANNING EMPLOYERS FROM SPEAKING ON POLITICAL MATTERS, INCLUDING UNIONIZATION, IN THE WORKPLACE. STATUS: DECIDED. DIAMOND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY V. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (2/3/25) - US SUPREME COURT NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF ARGUING THAT D.C. CIRCUIT COURT'S DECISION UPHOLDING CLEAN AIR ACT PREEMPTION WAIVER FOR CALIFORNIA CONTAINED A WRONG JUSTICIABILITY ANALYSIS. STATUS: DECIDED. RYAN V. FTC (2/10/25) US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF SUPPORTING A CHALLENGE TO THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION'S (FTC) NONCOMPETE RULE THAT WOULD BAN MOST NONCOMPETE AGREEMENTS. STATUS: PENDING. MARTINEZ V. AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC (2/14/25) - MARYLAND SUPREME COURT NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF ARGUING THAT MARYLAND WAGE AND HOUR LAW SHOULD INCLUDE THE DE MINIMIS DOCTRINE FOR EMPLOYEE COMPENSABLE TIME. STATUS: DECIDED. SMITH V. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY (2/14/25) - US DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF ARGUING THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT MET ITS BURDEN TO CONVINCE THE COURT TO STAY ITS PREVIOUS ORDER STAYING THE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING RULE. STATUS: DECIDED. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION V. CONSUMERS' RESEARCH (2/18/25) - US SUPREME COURT NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF URGING COURT TO REVITALIZE AND PUT TEETH INTO NONDELEGATION DOCTRINE WHERE TWO LAYERS OF DELEGATION OCCURRED. STATUS: DECIDED. *OREGON-COLUMBIA CHAPTER OF THE ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA, ET. AL., V. KOTEK (2/21/25) - OREGON CIRCUIT COURT, MARION COUNTY NFIB SBLC JOINED A BUSINESS COALITION IN SUING THE OREGON GOVERNOR, CHALLENGING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT REQUIRES BUSINESSES TO SIGN PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS WITH UNIONS FOR ALL STATE PROJECTS. COURT GRANTED A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION. STATUS: PENDING. LINNEY'S PIZZA V. BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE (2/26/25) - US DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF ARGUING THAT REGULATION II'S FEE CAP FOR DEBIT CARD INTERCHANGE FEES INCLUDES CATEGORIES OF COSTS THAT CONGRESS EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED. STATUS: DECIDED. N.C. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY V. N.C. FARM BUREAU FEDERATION (2/28/25) - NORTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF ARGUING THAT GENERAL PERMITS WHICH IMPOSE BINDING CONDITIONS ON THE PUBLIC ARE UNPROMULGATED RULES IN VIOLATION OF THE STATE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT. THE COURT AGREED WITH OUR BRIEF AND AFFIRMED THE LOWER COURT DECISION INVALIDATING THE PERMIT CONDITIONS. STATUS: DECIDED. LABCORP V. DAVIS (3/12/25) - US SUPREME COURT NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF ARGUING THAT INDIVIDUALS WITH NO LEGAL INJURY CANNOT BE INCLUDED IN CLASS CERTIFICATION UNDER RULE 23 FOR FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE. STATUS: DECIDED. SMITH V. TERUMO BCT (3/3/25) - COLORADO COURT OF APPEALS NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF ARGUING THAT A PLAINTIFF CANNOT ESTABLISH STANDING TO SUE BASED SOLELY ON AN ALLEGATION THAT THE DEFENDANT'S NEGLIGENT CONDUCT MAY INCREASE HIS FUTURE RISK OF ILLNESS, AND THAT MEDICAL MONITORING, ABSENT A PROVEN PHYSICAL INJURY, IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE REMEDY UNDER TORT LAW. THE COURT AGREED. STATUS: DECIDED. AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC V. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD (3/19/25) - US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF ARGUING THAT NLRB DECISION HOLDING THAT EMPLOYERS VIOLATE THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT WHEN THEY DISCUSS UNIONIZATION AT WORKPLACE MEETINGS VIOLATES THE FIRST AMENDMENT. STATUS: PENDING. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE V. ZUCH (3/24/25) - US SUPREME COURT NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF ARGUING THAT THE IRS CANNOT USE A TAXPAYER'S TAX RETURN TO SATISFY A DISPUTED TAX DEBT BEING LITIGATED IN THE TAX COURT AND MOOT OUT THE CASE. THE SUPREME COURT DISAGREED. STATUS: DECIDED. BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION V. NLRB (4/23/25) - US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF ARGUING THAT A UNION CARD AUTHORIZATION AND ORDER FORCING AN EMPLOYER TO BARGAIN WITH A UNION WAS AN IMPROPER REMEDY FOR THE NLRB TO APPLY FOR ALLEGED UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES DURING A UNION ELECTION. STATUS: PENDING. CHABOLLA V. CLASSPASS INC. (4/24/25) - US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT NFIB SBLC FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF URGING NINTH CIRCUIT TO REHEAR CASE E

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 2025.

    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 October 1996.

    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.