Postmark Lafollette
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Postmark LaFollette is a creative placemaking project establish to strengthen social and economic opportunities for the public through the arts culture and history of the community We have four pillars which we build into the predominance of our programming economic development educational enrichment community enhancement and historic preservation We bring no cost to low cost program to our community through the grant funding opportunities based on our non profit status Campbell County is an At Risk Community 100 of our youth are on the freereduced lunch program We have pockets of areas where the poverty level is as high as 50 Our mission statement and the pillars we support for our programming offer those with limited resources to attend free youth art camps and reduce cost private music lessons We have also established an artist co-op for local handmade handcrafted goods with no cost to join however volunteering to learn retail skills manning the co-op
- Income
- $110,527
- Spending
- $94,687
- Reserves
- 9.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 67%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (5)
- Music Lesson Program - The purpose of the program is to offer reduced cost music lessons on all string instruments and piano We received 8000 grant funding in 2022 to purchase start up instruments and needed materials We were fortunate in that we had a cadre of musicians that we worked with in our local community that were contracted to teach based on their availability within our structure The fee would be 15 per half hour session 12 per half hour session would go to the instructor and 3 would be put into a scholarship fund to help pay for 3 to 6 months of free lessons for a student of which the instructor would receive 48 per month The program started in October of 2022 with 7 students We now have over 65 students and the program is self-sustaining
- BOSCH Community Fund - We have received Bosch Community funds grants to support STEM programming in our community since 2021 In our first iteration we paid for teachers in our middle schools to do STEM projects relating to the environment and the future The projects were showcased in an open house setting at the Postmark LaFollette Arts Culture and History Center Due to Covid our next project provided for each middle school to host virtual STEM nights In the next grant project we supplied local middle school teachers home schooled students and any student in our area the opportunity to obtain 6 packets each of STEM related kits This allowed the students to work within their learning environments Next up was our 2024 project where we produced free Science Saturday educational enrichment classes for youth and adults alike The variety of topics are from all aspects of the STEMSTEAM world Sessions vary by size from 8 to 30 Total grant funding over the years has been 49000 100 of these funds were spent in contract fees for instructors and materials The student population reached through these programs were about 4000 middle school age students and upwards of 10 middle school teachers were paid a stipend for their participation and two teachers who were the facilitators of the project
- Theatre Program - We established a live theatre in our community The goal was to utilize local playwrights to bring the culture of our community to the stage The program began in 2016 with minimal funding It allowed the local community to join in and share their talents that so many did not know they had One of the people who showed up to audition for a part became so enamored with the process he not only became an actor but within the year had written his own play The play was about a young lady who left Campbell County to go to school get married and promise to never return to her hometown again Her grandmother had other ideas on how she was going to get her to return to her community and end up where she belonged After the success of this play in 2018 he wrote another one which involved a family leaving Campbell County to secure jobs in the north during the mid 50s Both plays are reflective of the lives of many Campbell County residents During Covid we disband public gatherings We attempted to return the performances but had to cancel due to the resurgence of Covid In 2023 we received a 8250 Grant to restore the program and to put on two plays between July 1 2023 and June 15 2024 Two great productions were performed With the ticket sales we were able to established a funding for future plays as well as future sustainability Between 15 and 20 cast and crew have been involved in each play The ticket sales produced upwards of 400 people in the audiences We anticipate further growth in the Theatre Program as the community becomes aware of our presence
- We have also received three Small Rural Partnership Support Grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission in which we utilize the funds for a part time employee to assist as an Administrative Assistant The co-founders are full time volunteers and is an all volunteer board Over the past 10 years we have been striving to become financially secure We have been able to obtain this through grant funding donations from local citizens teachers and business So many of our programs have proven to have educational enrichment which goes hand in hand with Community Enhancement The building in which we operate is the only free standing building in downtown LaFollette which is eligible to be on the list of National Places of Historic value The building was recently purchased by the LaFollette Housing Authority and we were given the honor of being their tenant at an affordable price so we can continue the good works we bring to the community
- Art and Culinary Camps for Summer Postmark hosts free summer Art Camp for 6 weeks every summer since 2018 Grants East Tennessee Foundation each year in the amount of 2500 which pays a stipend to instructors and for all materials Then in 2024 we added a Culinary camp for the 6 weeks with the additional sponsorship funding of 1000 from United Cumberland Bank These camps are broken down by age groups All materials are included We teach a variety of art forms that have a creative nature and a variety of mediums Some classes are intentionally left to the imaginations of the youth Art camps are 9 to noon and every Wednesday Culinary camp is from 1 to 3 With Culinary camp focusing on healthy eating and proper cooking skills with the youth doing the prep work cooking and presenting food for all of the group to have a sit down meal or snack
Source: Form 990EZ 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2017.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.