Lee Brenneisen Foundation Inc a Tennessee Not-For-Profit Corporati
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE LEE BRENNEISEN FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES IN KENYA TOGETHER WITH USA DONORS AND UNIVERSITIES TO PROMOTE EDUCATION AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE. THE FOUNDATION HAS DEVELOPED EIGHT ECO-FRIENDLY LEARNING MODULES TO EMPOWER STUDENTS FOR A FUTURE OF CRITICAL THINKING THROUGH ACTIVITY BASED LEARNING.
- Income
- $320,139
- Spending
- $439,809
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 12.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
- Employees
- 0
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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 37% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 136% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 64 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (3)
- $32,038 spent. CLEAN WATER IS THE MOST PRECIOUS NATURAL RESOURCE IN EAST AFRICA. ACCELERATING CLIMATE CHANGE MAKES AVAILABILITY AND ACCESS DIFFICULT. CLEAN WATER & HEALTH UNDERPINS OUR REMAINING 7 LEARNING MODULES AS WE ASSIST SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES, LEARNING LIFE SKILLS AND DEVELOPING SOCIAL ENTERPRISE. IN EARLY JANUARY 2024 KENYA WAS RAVAGED BY DEVASTATING FLOODS. IN RESPONSE, INNOV8AFRICA CONTINUES TO INTENSIFY OUR FOCUS ON WATER CATCHMENT AND STORAGE AS VOLCANIC SOILS CONTAIN UNHEALTHY LEVELS OF FLUORIDE AND SODA. WE DIG WATER RESERVOIRS. WE CREATE ROOFTOP CATCHMENT AND WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEMS IN THE NOW 24 SCHOOLS WE SUPPORT. IN DECEMBER 2023 WE DESIGNED A 1.2 KILOMETER SOLAR WATER PIPELINE TO PROVIDE CROP IRRIGATION AT OLE NTUTU ARID ZONE PRIMARY. IN MARCH 2023 WE HAD TO REPAIR AND REDESIGN IT. WE ALSO CREATED TWO SOLAR PURIFICATION SYSTEMS. WE ADDED ADDITIONAL 10,000 LITER WATER TANKS AND GUTTERING SYSTEMS FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND BUILT SIMPLE WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEMS. OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOCUS ON HEALTH, WATER BORNE DISEASES AND PREVENTION FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. 2024 CLEAN WATER AND HEATH COSTS WERE 30,885. WE CONTINUED OUR REFORESTATION PROGRAMS WITH EACH SCHOOL GROWING ABOUT AROUND 2500 TREES FROM SEEDS (1,153.00). VARIOUS SCHOOLS HAVE USED PROCEEDS FROM TREE SALES TO SUPPORT SCHOOL NEEDS. CLEAN WATER IS THE MOST PRECIOUS NATURAL RESOURCE IN EAST AFRICA. ACCELERATING CLIMATE CHANGE MAKES AVAILABILITY AND ACCESS DIFFICULT. CLEAN WATER & HEALTH UNDERPINS OUR REMAINING 7 LEARNING MODULES AS WE ASSIST SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES, LEARNING LIFE SKILLS AND DEVELOPING SOCIAL ENTERPRISE. IN EARLY JANUARY 2024 KENYA WAS RAVAGED BY DEVASTATING FLOODS. IN RESPONSE, INNOV8AFRICA CONTINUES TO INTENSIFY OUR FOCUS ON WATER CATCHMENT AND STORAGE AS VOLCANIC SOILS CONTAIN UNHEALTHY LEVELS OF FLUORIDE AND SODA. WE DIG WATER RESERVOIRS. WE CREATE ROOFTOP CATCHMENT AND WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEMS IN THE NOW 24 SCHOOLS WE SUPPORT. IN DECEMBER 2023 WE DESIGNED A 1.2 KILOMETER SOLAR WATER PIPELINE TO PROVIDE CROP IRRIGATION AT OLE NTUTU ARID ZONE PRIMARY. IN MARCH 2023 WE HAD TO REPAIR AND REDESIGN IT. WE ALSO CREATED TWO SOLAR PURIFICATION SYSTEMS. WE ADDED ADDITIONAL 10,000 LITER WATER TANKS AND GUTTERING SYSTEMS FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND BUILT SIMPLE WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEMS. OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOCUS ON HEALTH, WATER BORNE DISEASES AND PREVENTION FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. 2024 CLEAN WATER AND HEATH COSTS WERE 30,885. WE CONTINUED OUR REFORESTATION PROGRAMS WITH EACH SCHOOL GROWING ABOUT AROUND 2500 TREES FROM SEEDS (1,153.00). VARIOUS SCHOOLS HAVE USED PROCEEDS FROM TREE SALES TO SUPPORT SCHOOL NEEDS.
- $214,240 spent. FAMINE AND FOOD SHORTAGES HAVE RAVAGED MUCH OF KENYA. NAROK COUNTY, MOST OF OUR 12,000+ SCHOOL CHILDREN DO NOT GET ADEQUATE NUTRITION. IN RESPONSE, OUR "SCHOOL FARM TO SCHOOL TABLE" PROGRAM HAS BECOME OUR PRIMARY FOCUS. IN 2024, WE BEGAN WORKING WITH UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT MARTIN ON A GRANT WHEREBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN NORTHWEST TENNESSEE PARTNER WITH INNOV8'S KENYA SCHOOLS TO IMPROVE SCHOOL NUTRITION IN A SUSTAINABLE FASHION THROUGH ACTIVITY BASED LEARNING. THESE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO BENEFIT SCHOOL CHILDREN IN USA THROUGH UNIVERSITY LEAD RESEARCH BOTH IN DEVELOPING HEALTHY FOOD CROPS AND SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS OF NUTRITIONAL FOR SCHOOL MEALS. WE HAVE BUILT 3 GREENHOUSES, 3 ONE ACRE FULL SUN EXPERIMENTAL PLOTS AND 3@ 60% SHADE-NETTING AREAS. WE HAVE ADDED SEVERAL ACRES OF DRIP AND SPRINKLER IRRIGATION. MORE SCHOOLS HAVE ATTAINED TOTAL SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY MEANING THAT THEY GROW MORE THAN ENOUGH FOOD FOR THEIR STUDENTS AND SELL OVERAGES TO PAY FOR FUTURE CROP INPUTS. SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES ATTENDING OUR SEMINARS DEVELOP FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS AND WORK WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES ON IMPLEMENTATION, WITH THE IDEA THAT EACH CHILD CAN RECEIVE NUTRITIOUS SCHOOL MEALS EVERY DAY. WE CONTINUE TO ASSIST IN BUILDING SCHOOL KITCHENS AND HAVE PROVIDED KITCHEN EQUIPMENT AND TABLEWARE FOR THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN. WE SPONSOR "COMMUNITY GARDEN DAYS" WHERE WE DEVELOP SCHOOL MENUS. STUDENTS AND PROFESSORS FROM USA VISIT TO ASSESS AND COMPLETE PROJECT FOR CREDIT AND PUBLISHED PAPERS. TOTAL FOOD SECURITY EXPENDITURES IN 2024 WAS 206,643. OUR WOMEN'S BEEKEEPING ARE NOW PROCESSING AND BOTTLING HONEY FOR LOCAL SALES. (104.00). WE DEDICATED 6570.00 TO LIVESTOCK BANKING. IN CONNECTION WITH UT-MARTIN, WE ARE DEVELOPING AN EXPERIMENTAL FORAGE AND FEED PLOT WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF A PROPOSED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PAPER FOR USA FARMERS AND LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT. POULTRY COSTS WERE 923.00 IN 2024. THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT MARTIN WE ARE NOW CONDUCTING SCIENTIFIC STUDIES OF ALL OF OUR FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS IN A COOPERATIVE CROSS BORDER EFFORT TO STANDARDIZE ASSISTANCE WITH FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. KENYA'S MINISTRY OF EDUCATION WORKS CLOSELY WITH US AS WE ENHANCE THE COMPETENCY BASED CURRICULUM, NOW THE STANDARD FOR ALL KENYAN SCHOOLS. FAMINE AND FOOD SHORTAGES HAVE RAVAGED MUCH OF KENYA. NAROK COUNTY, MOST OF OUR 12,000+ SCHOOL CHILDREN DO NOT GET ADEQUATE NUTRITION. IN RESPONSE, OUR "SCHOOL FARM TO SCHOOL TABLE" PROGRAM HAS BECOME OUR PRIMARY FOCUS. IN 2024, WE BEGAN WORKING WITH UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT MARTIN ON A GRANT WHEREBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN NORTHWEST TENNESSEE PARTNER WITH INNOV8'S KENYA SCHOOLS TO IMPROVE SCHOOL NUTRITION IN A SUSTAINABLE FASHION THROUGH ACTIVITY BASED LEARNING. THESE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO BENEFIT SCHOOL CHILDREN IN USA THROUGH UNIVERSITY LEAD RESEARCH BOTH IN DEVELOPING HEALTHY FOOD CROPS AND SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS OF NUTRITIONAL FOR SCHOOL MEALS. WE HAVE BUILT 3 GREENHOUSES, 3 ONE ACRE FULL SUN EXPERIMENTAL PLOTS AND 3@ 60% SHADE-NETTING AREAS. WE HAVE ADDED SEVERAL ACRES OF DRIP AND SPRINKLER IRRIGATION. MORE SCHOOLS HAVE ATTAINED TOTAL SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY MEANING THAT THEY GROW MORE THAN ENOUGH FOOD FOR THEIR STUDENTS AND SELL OVERAGES TO PAY FOR FUTURE CROP INPUTS. SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES ATTENDING OUR SEMINARS DEVELOP FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS AND WORK WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES ON IMPLEMENTATION, WITH THE IDEA THAT EACH CHILD CAN RECEIVE NUTRITIOUS SCHOOL MEALS EVERY DAY. WE CONTINUE TO ASSIST IN BUILDING SCHOOL KITCHENS AND HAVE PROVIDED KITCHEN EQUIPMENT AND TABLEWARE FOR THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN. WE SPONSOR "COMMUNITY GARDEN DAYS" WHERE WE DEVELOP SCHOOL MENUS. STUDENTS AND PROFESSORS FROM USA VISIT TO ASSESS AND COMPLETE PROJECT FOR CREDIT AND PUBLISHED PAPERS. TOTAL FOOD SECURITY EXPENDITURES IN 2024 WAS 206,643. OUR WOMEN'S BEEKEEPING ARE NOW PROCESSING AND BOTTLING HONEY FOR LOCAL SALES. (104.00). WE DEDICATED 6570.00 TO LIVESTOCK BANKING. IN CONNECTION WITH UT-MARTIN, WE ARE DEVELOPING AN EXPERIMENTAL FORAGE AND FEED PLOT WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF A PROPOSED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PAPER FOR USA FARMERS AND LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT. POULTRY COSTS WERE 923.00 IN 2024. THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT MARTIN WE ARE NOW CONDUCTING SCIENTIFIC STUDIES OF ALL OF OUR FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS IN A COOPERATIVE CROSS BORDER EFFORT TO STANDARDIZE ASSISTANCE WITH FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. KENYA'S MINISTRY OF EDUCATION WORKS CLOSELY WITH US AS WE ENHANCE THE COMPETENCY BASED CURRICULUM, NOW THE STANDARD FOR ALL KENYAN SCHOOLS.
- $120,271 spent. IN 2024 INNOV8 HAS CONTINUED ITS FOCUS ON ENHANCED COMPUTER LEARNING. INNOV8 AFRICA CONTINUES TO BE THE ONLY BUILDER OF COMPUTER LABORATORIES FOR NAROK COUNTY'S PRIMARY AND JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL POPULATION OF OVER 700,000 LEARNERS. IN 2024 WE CONSTRUCTED A NEW 2 CLASSROOM BUILDING COMPLETE WITH COMPUTER LABORATORY AND 50 ENDLESS OS LEARNING COMPUTERS: (42,973.00). AS FEW OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE ELECTRICITY AT HOME, WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SOLAR STUDY LAMPS TO ASSIST WITH HOMEWORK AND HAVE ADDED SCHOOL SOLAR ELECTRICITY FOR A NUMBER OF CLASSROOMS: (36,908.00). ALSO IN 2024, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE MARLENE AND SPENCE HAYS FOUNDATION WE HAVE SUPPORTED OUR ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR SEVEN (7) SCHOOLS, CONSTRUCTING/RETROFITTING ART CLASSROOMS, PURCHASING ART SUPPLIES, TRAINING, CONDUCTING ART SHOWS AS WELL AND ARTS AND CRAFTS CONTESTS. WE HAVE FURTHERED OUR AFTER SCHOOL TRAININGS IN SEWING, KNITTING AND BEADING FOR GIRLS AT RISK OF COMPROMISE FROM ABUSE, CHILDHOOD MARRIAGE, AND FGM. OUR DIRECT COSTS FOR 2024 ARE 40,390.00. THE HAYS ARTS PROGRAM AS PROVES TO BE REMARKABLY SUCCESSFUL AND UNDERPINS OUR MISSION TO SUPPORT CREATIVITY, COMPETENCY AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS. IN 2024 INNOV8 HAS CONTINUED ITS FOCUS ON ENHANCED COMPUTER LEARNING. INNOV8 AFRICA CONTINUES TO BE THE ONLY BUILDER OF COMPUTER LABORATORIES FOR NAROK COUNTY'S PRIMARY AND JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL POPULATION OF OVER 700,000 LEARNERS. IN 2024 WE CONSTRUCTED A NEW 2 CLASSROOM BUILDING COMPLETE WITH COMPUTER LABORATORY AND 50 ENDLESS OS LEARNING COMPUTERS: (42,973.00). AS FEW OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE ELECTRICITY AT HOME, WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SOLAR STUDY LAMPS TO ASSIST WITH HOMEWORK AND HAVE ADDED SCHOOL SOLAR ELECTRICITY FOR A NUMBER OF CLASSROOMS: (36,908.00). ALSO IN 2024, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE MARLENE AND SPENCE HAYS FOUNDATION WE HAVE SUPPORTED OUR ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR SEVEN (7) SCHOOLS, CONSTRUCTING/RETROFITTING ART CLASSROOMS, PURCHASING ART SUPPLIES, TRAINING, CONDUCTING ART SHOWS AS WELL AND ARTS AND CRAFTS CONTESTS. WE HAVE FURTHERED OUR AFTER SCHOOL TRAININGS IN SEWING, KNITTING AND BEADING FOR GIRLS AT RISK OF COMPROMISE FROM ABUSE, CHILDHOOD MARRIAGE, AND FGM. OUR DIRECT COSTS FOR 2024 ARE 40,390.00. THE HAYS ARTS PROGRAM AS PROVES TO BE REMARKABLY SUCCESSFUL AND UNDERPINS OUR MISSION TO SUPPORT CREATIVITY, COMPETENCY AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2019.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 2026.
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