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The First Tee of Greater Knoxville

EIN 62-1845117 · Knoxville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO IMPACT THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE BY PROVIDING LEARNING FACILITIES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND LIFE ENHANCING VALUES THROUGH THE GAME OF GOLF.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
41
Volunteers
30

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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.

  • 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, 2024, 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. $953,619 spent. OPERATION OF AN EIGHTEEN HOLE, PAR THREE, FIRST TEE GOLF COURSE FACILITY THAT SERVES TO PROMOTE PUBLIC RECREATION IN THE KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE AREA, WITH A SPECIFIC FOCUS ON JUNIORS AND MINORITIES. THE GOLF COURSE IS LOCATED WITHIN 1 1/2 MILES OF THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS SECTOR AND IS IN ONE OF THE MOST BLIGHTED NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE GOLF COURSE IS CLOSE TO MANY OF THE COMMUNITY'S RESIDENTIAL HOUSING PROJECTS FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES WHICH HELPS SUPPORT THE PRIMARY PROGRAMMING TARGET OF PROVIDING ACCESS TO AND ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION BY DISADVANTAGED "KIDS AT RISK."

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 June 2001.

    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.