Tennessee Justice Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) advocates on behalf of low-income Tennesseans in areas of public policy having the greatest impact on their health and welfare.
- Income
- $3.5 million
- Spending
- $3.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 30.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 92%
- Employees
- 35
- Highest pay
- $198,100, 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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 30.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2529 of 29 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $1.4 million spent. Legal Services and Partnerships - TJC provides legal representation and advocacy for individual clients and on behalf of large groups of at-risk, low-income Tennesseans in civil matters, including administrative appeals outside the judicial system. In 2025, TJC handled 2,231 cases for low-income clients, including 1,286 health-related matters and 845 nutrition matters, securing approximately $8.72 million in benefits and reaching families in 91 counties across Tennessee. These cases helped clients preserve or regain Medicaid, SNAP, and related benefits and informed broader systems reform through litigation and agency advocacy. TJC continued major impact litigation in A.M.C. v. Smith, which challenges TennCare disenrollment practices and has already produced important rulings on due process and eligibility protections, and in Bull v. Carter, which challenges systemic delays, appeal failures, and benefit restoration problems in SNAP. TJC also provided training and technical assistance to attorneys, health care financial counselors, and community partners on TennCare, Medicare Savings Programs, SNAP, and WIC eligibility and appeals so more Tennesseans could get timely help.
- $776,348 spent. Health Advocacy for Seniors, Adults, Children and People with Disabilities - TJCs Medicaid, independence, and childrens health advocacy programs focus on improving the well-being of Tennesseans, particularly medically fragile, at-risk, and low-income seniors, adults, children, and people with disabilities. TJC helps these individuals obtain and maintain affordable health coverage and the ongoing home- and community-based support they need to bathe, dress, manage medications, and remain safely in their homes. The Independence program supports older adults and adults with disabilities who want to avoid unnecessary institutional care by helping families understand and use options for paid caregiving, private-duty nursing, and other long-term supports, and by challenging care cuts that threaten health and independence. The childrens health program helps low-income and medically fragile children get and keep coverage and services through TennCare and CoverKids, and helps families navigate applications, appeals, and coverage problems. In 2025, TJC handled 1,286 health-related cases, including 844 independence cases, and served families in 91 counties across Tennessee. TJC also educated the public, providers, and community leaders about TennCare, CoverKids, caregiving options, and proposed rule changes through in-person and virtual trainings, monthly briefings, and presentations across Tennessee.
- $389,656 spent. Nutrition Advocacy - TJCs nutrition advocacy program supports greater access to affordable nutrition through SNAP, WIC, Summer EBT, and school-based meal programs for low-income Tennesseans. In 2025, TJC handled 845 nutrition-related cases, helped more than 140 households obtain replacement SNAP benefits after a winter storm, and worked with families and partners to address delays, interview problems, benefit calculation errors, and portal barriers during one of the most disruptive periods SNAP has seen in recent years. TJC led a broad statewide campaign to restore Summer EBT and expand free school meals, supporting legislation with 18 cosponsors, coordinating a county-mayor sign-on letter with 58 mayors, and mobilizing students, parents, pediatricians, faith leaders, and partner organizations to secure up to $80 million in summer food assistance for roughly 700,000 children. TJC also convened WIC partner calls, trained providers and immigrant-serving organizations, and provided practical guidance to help families enroll in and retain nutrition benefits, while sharing resources and updates through its website and communications channels.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1996.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.