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Knox County Community Gardens and Growers Alliance

EIN 87-4576470 · Knoxville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SERVE AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY GARDENS AND GROWERS IN KNOX COUNTY, TENNESSEE, SO THAT THEY CAN BETTER ADDRESS AND ELIMINATE THE FOOD DESERTS AND FOOD INSECURE AREAS IN KNOX COUNTY.

Income
$408,376
Spending
$265,975
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
12.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
15

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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, 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)
  1. $145,481 spent. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: CREATE JOBS AND PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES, LAND SOVEREIGNTY, CONSERVATION, SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRACTICES, AND RESTORATION. GRANT GIVEN FOR MEAL PROGRAM WHICH PREPARED AND DONATED APPROXIMATELY 750 READ-MADE MEALS TO THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES ATTENDING THE SHORA FOUNDATION SUMMER PROGRAM.
  2. $32,161 spent. KNOX COUNTY COMMNITY GARDEN AND GROWERS ALLIANCE SERVES AS THE FISCAL SPONSOR FOR BATTLEFIELD FARM & GARDENS: AN URBAN FARM WITH THE MISSION OF TRANFORMING THE COMMINTY'S RELATIONSHIP TO LAND AND FOOD IN EAST KNOXVILLE'S UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. IT IS WORKING TO END FOOD INSECURITY BY PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO MAKE FRESH FOOD ACCESSIBLE AND TO CULTIVATE LAND-BASED SOVEREIGNTY THROUGH EDUCATION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND DIRECT RELATIONSPS TO LAND.
  3. KNOX COUNTY COMMNITY GARDEN AND GROWERS ALLIANCE SERVES AS THE FISCAL SPONSOR FOR BATTLEFIELD FARM & GARDENS: AN URBAN FARM WITH THE MISSION OF TRANFORMING THE COMMINTY'S RELATIONSHIP TO LAND AND FOOD IN EAST KNOXVILLE'S UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. IT IS WORKING TO END FOOD INSECURITY BY PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO MAKE FRESH FOOD ACCESSIBLE AND TO CULTIVATE LAND-BASED SOVEREIGNTY THROUGH EDUCATION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND DIRECT RELATIONSPS TO LAND.

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

  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 October 13, 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 2024.

    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 April 2022.

    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 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.