Passes our checks

Tennessee Kids Belong Inc

EIN 82-4703564 · Franklin, TN

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

What it says it does

Tennessee Kids Belong dramatically improves the experiences and outcomes for children in foster care.

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 13.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

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

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

Independent board
25 of 25
6 of 6 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
0 of 10
Did not give 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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (6)

$391,901 spent. I Belong Project - HIGH-QUALITY RECRUITMENT VIDEOS AND EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN IN NEED OF A FOREVER FAMILY. Thirty nine percent of the total labor cost.
$132,992 spent. Foster Friendly Faith - EQUIPPING CHURCHES TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE SUPPORT SYSTEMS TO BOTH RECRUIT AND RETAIN FOSTER FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY. - Eighteen percent of the total labor cost.
$109,043 spent. Government - TENNESSEE KIDS BELONG WAS THE SPEARHEADING PARTNER TO LAUNCH TN-FOSTERS, THE GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE AROUND FOSTER CARE IN 2016. TKB WORKS ALONGSIDE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES STAFF, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND PRIVATE PROVIDERS TO DRAMATICALLY CHANGE THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION NUMBERS IN TENNESSEE. - Thirteen percent of the total labor cost.
$102,059 spent. Business - GIVING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY A WAY TO ENGAGE IN THE ISSUE BY OFFERING DISCOUNTS AND SERVICES TO FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS HR BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES WHO ARE FOSTERING AND ADOPTING. - Thirteen percent of the total labor cost.
$22,097 spent. Community Engagement - Providing resources directly to current foster families. - Three percent of the total labor cost.
$14,433 spent. Other Family Recruitment - Outreach to potential families for children in need of a forever family, excluding I Belong Project videos. - Zero percent of the total labor cost.

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

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 November 6, 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 September 2018.
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 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.