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First Things First Inc

EIN 62-1678048 · Chattanooga, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE PROVIDE RESOURCES THAT GUIDE PEOPLE IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS SO THEY CAN LIVE BETTER LIVES. OUR VISION IS FOR HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS TO BE PASSED DOWN BY EVERY FAMILY FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
18
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$114,649, president and 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 20 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 (5)
  1. $191,794 spent. MARRIAGE INITIATIVE - THIS INITIATIVE INCLUDES EDUCATION AND COACHING. THE PURPOSE IS TO EMPOWER COUPLES WITH THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH.
  2. $232,725 spent. FATHERING INITIATIVE - THIS INITIATIVE HELPS FATHERS BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN THE LIVES OF THEIR CHILDREN. DADS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IS A GRANT-FUNDED PROGRAM THAT SERVES MEN NAVIGATING THE CHILD SUPPORT SYSTEM. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO HELP DADS BE POSITIVE INFLUENCES IN THEIR CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT, REDUCE RECIDIVISM, HELP DADS IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, AND STRENGTHEN THE CO-PARENTING RELATIONSHIP. EPIC DADS IS A FATHERING PROGRAM TO HELP DADS HAVE POSITIVE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT WITH THEIR CHILDREN, BUILD A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT, AND STRENGTHEN THE CO-PARENTING RELATIONSHIP. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE COACHING AND CASE MANAGEMENT.
  3. $543,057 spent. PARENTING INITIATIVE - THIS INITIATIVE INCLUDES EDUCATION AND COACHING. THE PURPOSE IS TO INCREASE POSITIVE PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT. THE PROGRAMS PARTNER WITH LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND A LOCAL FAMILY SHELTER TO PROVIDE PARENTING EDUCATION, COACHING, AND CASE MANAGEMENT. THIS INITIATIVE ALSO INCLUDES MEND, MOMS EMBRACING A NEW DIRECTION, WHICH SERVES MOTHERS NAVIGATING THE CHILD SUPPORT SYSTEM.
  4. $46,323 spent. CROSS-CUTTING INITIATIVE
  5. $31,826 spent. COMMUNICATIONS

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 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.