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Free Range Pastor

EIN 99-3350647 · Franklin, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceWeak45 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FREE RANGE PASTOR (TFRP) IS A COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY THAT EXIST TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO JESUS CHRIST, COMMUNITIES OF CHRIST FOLLOWERS, AND ULTIMATELY THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. TFRP REACHES THOSE IN THE UNENGAGED MARGINS OF CHURCHES AS WELL AS THOSE OUTSIDE ITS BOUNDS. BY PROVIDING PASTORAL CARE, SPIRITUAL DIRECTION, PILGRIMAGES, AND COMMUNITY STUDIES, AND SERVICES OF WORSHIP, THE TFRP MEETS THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS DISCOVERED IN EACH COMMUNITY. THE VISION OF TFRP DEVELOPED OVER 31 YEARS OF WORKING WITHIN THE LOCAL CHURCH, AND THE LARGER DENOMINATION OF THE PCA(PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA) TO EXTEND PASTORAL SERVICES OUTSIDE THE BOUNDS OF TRADITIONAL CHURCH BUILDINGS AND PROGRAMS. WE FURTHER DISCOVERED THAT THE BEST WAY TO BRING THE PEACE AND PROSPERITY THAT PEOPLE ARE LONGING FOR IS TO BRING WHAT A CHURCH OFFERS (IE.THE GOSPEL) DIRECTLY TO PEOPLE THROUGH A PASTORAL RELATIONSHIP THAT ESTABLISHES THEM INTO SMALLER COMMUNITY RATHER THAN A LARGE GROUP ENVIRONMENT. WE ARE WORKING TOWARD AND BELIEV

Income
$307,192
Spending
$258,865
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
6.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
1
Volunteers
1
Highest pay
$194,863, chair

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.5 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 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 71% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (2)
  1. BY PROVIDING PASTORAL CARE, SPIRITUAL DIRECTION, PILGRIMAGES, AND COMMUNITY STUDIES, AND SERVICES OF WORSHIP, THE TFRP MEETS THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS DISCOVERED IN EACH COMMUNITY. TFRP HAS MENTORED PEOPLE WHO LOVE, TEND AND CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH NO DESIRE OR PLANS TO ATTEND A CHURCH BUILDING/GATHERING/PROGRAM.
  2. $252,209 spent. NONE

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 July 2024.

    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.