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Think Tennessee

EIN 81-2821568 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THINK TENNESSEE IS A NONPARTISAN, RESULTS-ORIENTED THINK TANK THAT USES RESEARCH, ENGAGEMENT, AND ADVOCACY TO BUILD A STATE WHERE ALL TENNESSEANS ARE CIVICALLY ENGAGED AND ECONOMICALLY SECURE. WE BELIEVE OUR STATE DOES BETTER WHEN VOTERS TRUST AND PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY AND WORKERS CAN ACCESS GOOD JOBS, BUILD WEALTH, AND SHARE IN OUR ROBUST ECONOMY. OUR WORK IS GUIDED BY OUR VALUES: EQUITY, INTEGRITY, COURAGE, PRAGMATISM, AND OPTIMISM.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
16
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$169,040, president

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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 49% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $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

    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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $1.1 million spent. WE HAVE TWO PRIMARY PROGRAM AREAS.STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY: WE ENVISION A STATE WHERE ALL TENNESSEANS ARE CIVICALLY ENGAGED AND TRUST IN A TRANSPARENT AND EFFECTIVE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.SUPPORTING WORKING FAMILIES: WE ENVISION A STATE WHERE ALL TENNESSEANS CAN INCREASE THEIR ECONOMIC SECURITY BY EARNING ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES, AFFORD THEIR TYPICAL HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES, AND BUILD THEIR SAVINGS, RATHER THAN FALL INTO DEBT.

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 January 2017.

    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.