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Tennessee Bar Foundation

EIN 62-6074501 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE TENNESSEE BAR FOUNDATION, A PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATION FOUNDED BY TENNESSEE LAWYERS, IS TO HONOR LAWYERS WHO HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES IN THE PROFESSION AND COMMUNITY AND TO SUPPORT, WITH MONETARY GRANTS, ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THE INDIGENT AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

Income
$9.7 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
23.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 87%
Employees
3
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$67,517, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 55% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 25

    12 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

    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 June 30, 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 (2)
  1. $2.0 million spent. THE FOUNDATION AWARDS MONETARY GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS WHICH PROVIDE REPRESENTATION, IN CIVIL LEGAL MATTERS, TO INDIGENT CLIENTS. AMONG THOSE GRANT RECIPIENTS ARE FOUR ORGANIZATIONS SPECIFICALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFINED GEOGRAPHIC AREAS, THEREFORE A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE IN ALL TENNESSEE COUNTIES. OTHER GRANT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATIONS EITHER SERVE SMALLER GEOGRAPHIC AREAS, LIMIT THEIR SERVICE BY SUBJECT MATTER OR, INSTEAD OF EMPLOYING STAFF LAWYERS, COORDINATE THE SERVICES OF LAWYERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE WHO PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE ON A PRO BONO BASIS.
  2. $2.1 million spent. THE FOUNDATION AWARDS MONETARY GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS WHICH WORK TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE WITHIN THE STATE. THESE ORGANIZATIONS MAY ASSIST FAMILIES, CHILDREN, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS OR OTHER POPULATIONS WITH THEIR VERY SPECIFIC LEGAL NEEDS. OTHER GRANT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE MEDIATION FOR DISPUTANTS OR REHABILITATION FOR OFFENDERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1967.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.