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Gate - Gateway to Independence

EIN 86-1084910 · Maryville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE GATE- GATEWAY TO INDEPENDENCE ASSISTS YOUNG ADULTS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING THEM WITH SOCIAL AND PRE-VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES. PARTICIPANTS ENTER THE PROGRAM BETWEEN THE AGES OF 22-30 BUT MAY REMAIN IN THE PROGRAM AS LONG AS THEY WISH. THE PARTICIPANTS COME TOGETHER SEVERAL DAYS EACH WEEK WITH STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY EACH OTHERS COMPANY AND TO USE SKILLS THAT FOSTER INDEPENDENCE. THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS ON EACH INDIVIDUALS ABILITIES AND ON DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATE AND CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER. JUST AS IMPORTANT, THE GATE PROVIDES A RESPITE SERVICE TO THE FAMILY/CARETAKER WHO IS ABLE TO LEAVE THE PARTICIPANT WITH US KNOWING THAT THEY ARE IN A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT. FOR MANY FAMILIES, THIS IS THE ONLY RESPITE THEY HAVE. WITHOUT THIS PROGRAM , MOST OF THESE YOUNG ADULTS FACE A LIFE OF ISOLATION AND EXCLUSION. THE GATE IS A MODEL OF WHAT AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY CAN BE. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROU

Income
$289,957
Spending
$213,638
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
32.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
13
Volunteers
78

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 32.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% 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 December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    6 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, 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 (1)
  1. $200,910 spent. THE GATE- GATEWAY TO INDEPENDENCE ASSISTS YOUNG ADULTS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING THEM WITH SOCIAL AND PRE-VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES. PARTICIPANTS ENTER THE PROGRAM BETWEEN THE AGES OF 22-30 BUT MAY REMAIN IN THE PROGRAM AS LONG AS THEY WISH . THE PARTICIPANTS COME TOGETHER SEVERAL DAYS EACH WEEK WITH STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY EACH OTHERS COMPANY AND TO USE SKILLS THAT FOSTER INDEPENDENCE. THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS ON EACH INDIVIDUALS ABILITIES AND ON DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATE AND CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER. JUST AS IMPORTANT, THE GATE PROVIDES A RESPITE SERVICE TO THE FAMILY/CARETAKER WHO IS ABLE TO LEAVE THE PARTICIPANT WITH US KNOWING THAT THEY ARE IN A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT. FOR MANY FAMILIES, THIS IS THE ONLY RESPITE THEY HAVE. WITHOUT THIS PROGRAM , MOST OF THESE YOUNG ADULTS FACE A LIFE OF ISOLATION AND EXCLUSION. THE GATE IS A MODEL OF WHAT AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY CAN BE. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROUGH DONATIONS, SPECIAL EVENTS AND GRANTS. THE PROGRAMS SERVE 78 PARTICIPANTS WHICH PROVIDES A RESPITE FOR 145 FAMILY MEMBERS/CARETAKERS. THERE WERE 78 VOLUNTEERS, INCLUDING COLLEGE, HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, GROUPS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HELPED WITH THE PROGRAM. THE GATE- GATEWAY TO INDEPENDENCE ASSISTS YOUNG ADULTS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING THEM WITH SOCIAL AND PRE-VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES. PARTICIPANTS ENTER THE PROGRAM BETWEEN THE AGES OF 22-30 BUT MAY REMAIN IN THE PROGRAM AS LONG AS THEY WISH . THE PARTICIPANTS COME TOGETHER SEVERAL DAYS EACH WEEK WITH STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY EACH OTHERS COMPANY AND TO USE SKILLS THAT FOSTER INDEPENDENCE. THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS ON EACH INDIVIDUALS ABILITIES AND ON DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATE AND CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER. JUST AS IMPORTANT, THE GATE PROVIDES A RESPITE SERVICE TO THE FAMILY/CARETAKER WHO IS ABLE TO LEAVE THE PARTICIPANT WITH US KNOWING THAT THEY ARE IN A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT. FOR MANY FAMILIES, THIS IS THE ONLY RESPITE THEY HAVE. WITHOUT THIS PROGRAM , MOST OF THESE YOUNG ADULTS FACE A LIFE OF ISOLATION AND EXCLUSION. THE GATE IS A MODEL OF WHAT AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY CAN BE. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROUGH DONATIONS, SPECIAL EVENTS AND GRANTS. THE PROGRAMS SERVE 78 PARTICIPANTS WHICH PROVIDES A RESPITE FOR 145 FAMILY MEMBERS/CARETAKERS. THERE WERE 78 VOLUNTEERS, INCLUDING COLLEGE, HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, GROUPS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HELPED WITH THE PROGRAM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 2025.

    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 May 2004.

    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.