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Three Roots Capital

EIN 62-1624472 · Knoxville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN TENNESSEE AND APPALACHIA THROUGH ACCESS TO CAPITAL AND JOB CREATION.

Income
$9.4 million
Spending
$4.9 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
33.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
8
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$662,899, president & ceo

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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 33.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 94% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 48% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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, 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 (3)
  1. $3.6 million spent. LOAN AND INVESTMENT PROGRAMS - THREE ROOTS CAPITAL MAKES LOANS AND INVESTMENTS TO QUALIFIED COMPANIES AND PROJECTS IN UNDERSERVED AND DISTRESSED AREAS OF EAST TENNESSEE AND BROADER SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL APPALACHIA. IN ADDITION TO SATISFYING UNDERWRITING REQUIREMENTS, COMPANIES AND PROJECTS MUST PROVIDE A MEASURABLE POSITIVE COMMUNITY IMPACT OR OUTCOME. THESE ACTIVITIES GENERALLY ARE FOCUSED ON JOB CREATING SMALL BUSINESS, PLACE MAKING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PROJECTS, OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
  2. $500,896 spent. BUSINESS COACHING - THREE ROOTS CAPITAL PROVIDES BUSINESS COACHING TO CLIENT COMPANIES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS THROUGH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, MENTORSHIP, COACHING, AND OTHER ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES.
  3. $2,995 spent. CAPITAL SERVICES - THREE ROOTS CAPITAL PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO IMPACT-FOCUSED AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOCUSED PRIVATE EQUITY AND VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS. THIS ACTIVIITY INCLUDES ADMINISTRATION, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, COMPLIANCE, DUE DILIGENCE, PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT, AND REPORTING.

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 November 6, 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 November 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 November 4, 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.