Education regarding matters of public concern to improve the quality and increase the quantity of economic growth and employment opportunities.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
86¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
$594K paid to officers and key staff.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · Pay: Part VII

Before you give

FY2021 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
4 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average surplus $452K a year · 8% of revenue · last 6 filings
Fine: a surplus in 4 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
86%
of spending
Looks good: 86% of spending went to programs; 75% or more.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$594K
to officers and key staff · 12% of spending
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 12% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
6 mo
of spending, in cash
Looks good: 6.4 months of spending in cash; 3 or more.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
1
named funder · $15K
Fine: 1 funder names it on their filings; under 3.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$1.1M
15% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 15% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
7
of 8 voting members
Looks good: 7 of 8 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$5.8M
+35% vs prior year
Spent
$4.9M
To programs
86%
Net assets
$6.0M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$5.8M
FY2021▲ +35%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$4.2M
FY2021$5.8M
FY2022$4.2M
FY2023$5.9M
FY2024$5.7M
FY2025$10.4M
Expenses
$4.9M
FY2021▲ +23%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$4.0M
FY2021$4.9M
FY2022$4.5M
FY2023$5.5M
FY2024$6.1M
FY2025$8.5M
Net assets
$6.0M
FY2021▲ +19%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$5.0M
FY2021$6.0M
FY2022$5.7M
FY2023$6.1M
FY2024$5.7M
FY2025$7.6M

From the FY2021 Form 990 (year ending June 2021) · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

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You’re viewing the FY2021 filing — not the latest on file. See the latest (FY2025) →

Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Sep 1975.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

86 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 86% · $4.2M Management & general 9% · $427K Fundraising 5% · $268K

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

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Who runs it and what they're paid

11 people listed on the 990; $594K paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation · most recent filed roster (FY2020); the FY2021 filing did not itemize Part VII
$222,412Pt VII · Sec A
V/P Economic Development
$167,301Pt VII · Sec A
V/P Talen Initiatives
$120,090Pt VII · Sec A
V/P Finance and Administra
$84,084Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Charles Wood’s $228K as President/CEO is at the 48th percentile of top reported officer pay among 661 $10–100M philanthropy & grantmaking nonprofits. Peer set: organizations in the same NTEE major field of work and revenue-size band, compared on each org’s own highest-paid officer/key-employee, from Form 990 Part VII / 990-PF Part VIII. Descriptive placement, not a verdict on whether the pay is appropriate.

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 8 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Christine Gillenwater——$246,083$257,854$222,412$250,019
Charles Wood$228,483$213,074$179,675$172,814$167,301$162,679
Katherine Randolph$171,422$161,803————
Adam Myers$128,025—————
Molly Blankenship————$120,090$100,897
Cheryl Millsaps——$77,910$102,603$84,084$71,618
Lorne Steedly$102,199—————
Yolonda Hayslett$72,203$67,970————

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

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Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Educates the public to boost economic growth and create more jobs.

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Provided by the organization

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3 programs · $4.2M · in their own filed words · FY2020
01

Economic development-purpose is to attract new business and industry to the chattanooga area, as well as encourage expansion in existing businesses.

$3.9Mprogram expense
02

Leadership development-to ensure that chattanooga area benefits from civic and political leadership. Sponsor annual leadership program to prepare existing leaders for community decision making, hold events to recognize business and community leaders and communicate with the business community on issues vital to leaders.

$232Kprogram expense
03

Facilities management-management of business incubator the BDC offers start-up businesses office or manufacturing space at below-market rental rates. Tenants have access to clerical support, fax machine, copier and postage machine.

$39Kprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · funders on record
Grants received · FY2025
Total grants receivedfrom 1 funder$15K

By the numbers

The FY2021 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$5.8M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$4.9M
Fees for servicesLn 2g$968K
Investment incomeLn 3$5K
Money outPt IX
$4.9M
Ln 25
Programscol B$4.2M
Managementcol C$427K
Fundraisingcol D$268K
Owns and owesPt X
$6.0M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$2.6M
Total assetsLn 16$7.0M
LiabilitiesLn 26$1.1M
PeoplePt VI, VII
11
listed · VII A
PaidVII A4
Voting boardVI 1a8
IndependentVI 1b7
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$4.9M
Government grantsLn 1e$2.6M
Fees for servicesLn 2g$968K
Investment incomeLn 3$5K
Total revenueLn 12$5.8M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$1.5M
SavingsLn 2$1.1M
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$2.6M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$202K
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$2.6M
Other assetsLn 15$314K
Total assetsLn 16$7.0M
LiabilitiesLn 26$1.1M
Net assetsLn 32$6.0M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 569
VolunteersI 6540
Fiscal year endsHeaderJune
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY21End FY21
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$2.0M$2.6M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$131K$202K
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$2.7M$2.6M
Total assetsLn 16$6.2M$7.0M
LiabilitiesLn 26$1.2M$1.1M
Net assetsLn 32$5.0M$6.0M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$708K$639K$58K$10K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$1.4M$1.1M$42K$207K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$306K$260K$11K$34K
Payroll taxesLn 10$139K$119K$6K$14K
Legal feesLn 11b$34K$34K
Accounting feesLn 11c$33K$33K$15
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$144K$126K$17K$1K
Advertising and promotionLn 12$235K$235K$245
Office expensesLn 13$26K$25K$921$13
Information technologyLn 14$879K$834K$44K
OccupancyLn 16$237K$171K$66K
TravelLn 17$22K$21K$590
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$12K$12K
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$148K$148K
InsuranceLn 23$14K$11K$2K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$542K$513K$29K
Total functional expensesLn 25$4.9M$4.2M$427K$268K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest $10.4M$8.5M$1.8M$7.6M 990 PDF
FY2024 $5.7M$6.1M−$412K$5.7M 990 PDF
FY2023 $5.9M$5.5M$375K$6.1M 990 PDF
FY2022 $4.2M$4.5M−$259K$5.7M 990 PDF
FY2021 Viewing $5.8M$4.9M$883K$6.0M 990 PDF
FY2020 $4.2M$4.0M$283K$5.0M 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons I · Grants A · Public support J · Pay O · Explanations
See the full FY2021 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $5,758,264 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $3,539,504$4,862,854
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $790,395$967,532
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $3,765$4,684
I-11 Other revenuePrior year −$83,688−$76,806
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $4,249,976$5,758,264
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $0$0
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $2,337,349$2,549,969
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $1,629,350$2,325,010
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $3,966,699$4,874,979
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year $283,277$883,285
Part VI · Governance 7 of 8 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body8
VI-1b Independent voting members7
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $5,758,264 across 8 lines filed
VIII-1e Government grants$2,555,000
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$2,307,854
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$4,862,854
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $967,532$967,532
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $4,684$4,684
VIII-6 Net rental income or lossRelated to mission $148,292 · Excluded from tax −$252,142−$103,850
VIII-11a-d Other revenue, itemized rows (sum of 11a–11d as filed)Related to mission $27,044$27,044
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $1,142,868 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax −$247,458$5,758,264
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $4,874,979 across 16 lines filed
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $638,998 · Management $58,345 · Fundraising $10,441$707,784
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $1,147,555 · Management $42,048 · Fundraising $207,493$1,397,096
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $260,409 · Management $11,196 · Fundraising $34,328$305,933
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $118,712 · Management $6,471 · Fundraising $13,973$139,156
IX-11b Legal feesPrograms $34,122$34,122
IX-11c Accounting feesPrograms $32,985 · Management $15$33,000
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $125,639 · Management $16,904 · Fundraising $1,473$144,016
IX-12 Advertising and promotionPrograms $235,052 · Management $245$235,297
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $24,693 · Management $921 · Fundraising $13$25,627
IX-14 Information technologyPrograms $834,479 · Management $44,028$878,507
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $170,807 · Management $66,029$236,836
IX-17 TravelPrograms $21,371 · Management $590$21,961
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetingsPrograms $11,851$11,851
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationManagement $148,085$148,085
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $11,271 · Management $2,413$13,684
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $512,754 · Management $29,270$542,024
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $4,180,698 · Management $426,560 · Fundraising $267,721$4,874,979
Part X · Balance sheet $7,015,826 assets, 16 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $956,415$1,528,885
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $1,084,062$1,086,125
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $1,125,000$1,150,000
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $60,539$96,797
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $41,185$34,014
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $2,650,482$2,603,963
X-11 Publicly traded securitiesStart of year $130,633$201,562
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $171,201$314,480
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $6,219,517$7,015,826
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $298,619$373,794
X-19 Deferred revenueStart of year $184,132$374,053
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $1,222,566$1,064,662
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $3,928,051$4,934,866
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $1,068,900$1,016,298
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $4,996,951$5,951,164
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $6,219,517$7,015,826
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $5,951,164 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$5,758,264
XI-2 Total expenses$4,874,979
XI-3 Revenue less expenses$883,285
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$4,996,951
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments$70,928
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$0
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$5,951,164

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2021 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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