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Encore Ministry Foundation

EIN 87-2083797 · Brentwood, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ENCORE MINISTRY FOUNDATION IS A MINISTRY BY, WITH, AND FOR OLDER ADULTS PROVIDING QUALITY RESOURCES AND COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONS EMPOWERING OLDER ADULTS TO EXPERIENCE GRACE-FILLED LIVES

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$653,848
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
3
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$78,333, executive director

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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 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 49% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $454,695 spent. ENCORE MINISTRY FOUNDATION PROVIDES TRAINING AND SUPPORT, RESOURCES, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES TO EQUIP CHURCH LEADERS FOR INTENTIONAL MINISTRY BY, WITH, AND FOR OLDER ADULTS. TO MEET THE NEEDS OF AN AGING POPULATION, ENCORE MINISTRY FOUNDATION PROVIDES: - ONE ON ONE CONSULTATION - TRAINING AND SUPPORT IN OLDER ADULT MINISTRIES - RESOURCES THAT HELP ESTABLISH OR BUILD OLDER ADULT MINISTRIES - MATCHING GRANT FUNDING - WORKSHOPS FOR CONGREGATIONS AND OTHER FAITH-BASED NONPROFITS - NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES WITH OTHER OLDER ADULT MINISTRY TEAM
  2. ENCORE MINISTRY FOUNDATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE CHATTANOGA NURSING PROGRAM, LAUNCHED AN AGE-FRIENDLY CONGREGATION CERTIFICATE PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM CONSISTS OF EIGHT TRAINING SESSIONS WHICH DISCUSS HEALTHY AGING, SPIRITUAITY, SOCIAL INCLUSION, INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTION, MINISTRY MODELS, AND MORE. SESSIONS WERE AVAILABLE ONLINE OR IN PERSON. PARTICIPANTS JOIN OTHER CONGREGATIONAL LEADERS IN INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION AND GROUP CONVERSATION, ENDING IN A PRACTICUM IN WHICH THE PARTICIPANT DESCRIBES HOW THEIR CONGREGATION IS, OR IS IN THE PROCESS OF BECOMING, AN AGE-FRIENDLY CONGREGATION.
  3. GRANTS MADE BY ENCORE MINISTRY FOUNDATION HELPED FUND A VARIETY OF PROJECTS BENEFITTING OLDER ADULTS. GRANTS GIVEN IN 2025 SUPPORTED: - THE FUNDING OF A FOOD MINISTRY PROGRAM, OF WHICH 1/3 TO 1/2 OF THE RECIPIENTS ARE OVER THE AGE OF 65. - AN EXERCISE PROGRAM THAT OFFERED PARTICIPANTS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH WHILE FOSTERING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY - A PROGRAM FOR SENIORS AGES 70-90 TO GATHER FOR FELLOWSHIP, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SPIRITUAL FORMATION, AND NUTRITIOUS MEALS. - FOOD PANTRY AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE ESSENTIAL NEEDS AND SERVICES TO SENIORS FACING ISOLATION, MEDICAL CHALLENGES, AND EMOTIONAL STRAIN

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Worth knowing.

    Recognized by the IRS in November 2025. It is too new to have a track record.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.