Form 990 for tax year 2023

Totals

Total revenue

$4,578,958

Total expenses

$3,365,084

Contributions and grants received

$4,233,677

Grants paid

$19,200

Program service revenue

$378,940

Investment income

$145,129

Other revenue

-$178,788

Total assets, end of year

$10,001,620

Total liabilities, end of year

$1,779,707

Net assets or fund balances, end of year

$8,221,913

Program services expenses (Part IX)

$2,408,582

Management and general expenses

$583,733

Fundraising expenses

$372,769

Program service expenses (Part III)

$2,408,582

Program services were 71.6% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Mission and programs · 2023

• TJC PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS AND ON BEHALF OF LARGE GROUPS OF VULNERABLE, LOW-INCOME TENNESSEANS. DURING 2023, TJC HANDLED 1,753 CASES FOR VULNERABLE CLIENTS IN THE RESOLUTION OF THEIR LEGAL PROBLEMS, SOME OF WHICH INVOLVED ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS PROCEDURES OUTSIDE THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. TJC ALSO ADVOCATES FOR IMPROVED ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN GENERAL SESSIONS COURT BY CREATING RESOURCES AND PUSHING REFORMS THAT MAKE THIS COURT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO UNREPRESENTED INDIVIDUALS. TJC CONDUCTED TRAINING FOR PRIVATE ATTORNEYS TO ENABLE THEM TO HANDLE SUCH APPEALS ON A PRO BONO BASIS. THESE CASES SERVED THE PUBLIC BY PROMOTING THE RULE OF LAW BY HOLDING GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW, AND BY AFFORDING ACCESS TO EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW TO INDIGENT CLIENTS WHO WOULD NOT HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN ABLE TO VINDICATE THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS. TJC ALSO PARTNERED WITH HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS THROUGH TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP TO HELP THEIR PATIENTS ACCESS NECESSARY COVERAGE, AVOID MEDICAL DEBT, AND SUPPORT THE HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE ON WHICH ALL TENNESSEANS DEPEND. IN ADDITION TO THOSE SERVICES, THE ORGANIZATION LITIGATED THE FOLLOWING CASE IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN 2023:A.M.C. V. SMITH (TENNCARE DISENROLLMENT): THIS LAWSUIT WAS FILED ON MARCH 19, 2020. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CASE WAS FILED, FEDERAL COVID RELIEF LEGISLATION REQUIRED STATES TO SUSPEND ALL TERMINATIONS OF MEDICAID COVERAGE WHILE THE FEDERAL DECLARATION OF A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY (PHE) REMAINED IN EFFECT. THIS LASTED UNTIL APRIL 2023, WHEN REDETERMINATIONS BEGAN AGAIN. TENNCARE OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THAT THEY EXPECT TO TERMINATE 400,000 CHILDREN AND ADULTS OVER A 12-MONTH PERIOD. THE COURT CERTIFIED A PLAINTIFF CLASS CONSISTING OF "ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO, SINCE MARCH 19, 2019, HAVE BEEN OR WILL BE DISENROLLED FROM TENNCARE, EXCLUDING INDIVIDUALS, AND THE PARENTS AND LEGAL GUARDIANS OF INDIVIDUALS, WHO REQUESTED A WITHDRAWAL FROM TENNCARE." AFTER DENYING THE STATE'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON OCTOBER 18, 2023, THE COURT CONDUCTED A FIVE-DAY TRIAL BETWEEN NOVEMBER 14TH AND 20TH. BRIEFING ON THE CASE CLOSED IN APRIL 2024 WITH THE COURT'S DECISION ANTICIPATED IN THE LATE SUMMER OF 2024.MCCUTCHEN V. BECERRA (BLOCK GRANT): IN JANUARY 2021, WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION NEARLY OUT OF OFFICE, CMS APPROVED TENNESSEE'S AMENDMENT CONVERTING TENNCARE TO A BLOCK GRANT FOR TEN YEARS. IN MARCH 2021, TJC AND THE NATIONAL HEALTH LAW PROGRAM (NHELP) FILED SUIT ON BEHALF OF SEVERAL TJC CLIENTS, A CROSSVILLE PEDIATRICIAN AND ON TJC'S OWN BEHALF AS A PLAINTIFF. WE SUED CMS FOR IMPROPERLY APPROVING THE WAIVER, AND TENNESSEE HAS INTERVENED AS A DEFENDANT. ON JUNE 30, 2022, CMS SENT A LETTER TO TENNCARE ASKING IT TO AMEND ITS BLOCK GRANT PROPOSAL TO REMOVE ITS DRACONIAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE LIMITS AND TO REMOVE THE BLOCK GRANT FUNDING MECHANISM PORTION ESSENTIALLY. AS AMENDED, THE WAIVER STILL ALLOWS THE STATE TO WITHHOLD RETROACTIVE COVERAGE FROM MOST ELIGIBLE TENNCARE ADULTS. UNFORTUNATELY, CMS APPROVED THE TENNCARE III WAIVER AS AMENDED BY THE STATE. THE CASE IS NO LONGER STAYED AFTER FEDERAL APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED TENNCARE III WAIVER. WE, ALONG WITH OUR CO-COUNSEL, THE NATIONAL HEALTH LAW PROGRAM, WILL FILE AN AMENDED COMPLAINT THAT WILL FOCUS ON PLAINTIFFS WHO STAND TO BE AFFECTED BY THE REMAINING COMPONENTS OF THE WAIVER, NAMELY THE LACK OF RETROACTIVE COVERAGE AND THE 10-YEAR DEMONSTRATION PERIOD.M.A.C. V. SMITH (DIDD HOME CARE): ON JULY 2, 2021, TJC'S LITIGATION TEAM FILED A LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE INEQUITIES ASSOCIATED WITH TENNCARE ENROLLEES' HOME CARE AS PART OF THE DIDD WAIVER, FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. AFTER DISCOVERY BEGAN, THE PARTIES REACHED A SETTLEMENT, WHICH THE COURT APPROVED. WE SETTLED THE CASE AND SUCCESSFULLY ADDED ADDITIONAL INTERVENORS WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE SETTLEMENT TERMS OBTAINED IN THE LAWSUIT. THE COURT FOUND THAT WE WERE A PREVAILING PARTY AND AWARDED US ATTORNEY FEES OF $348,140 PLUS $2,434.30 IN MEDIATION COSTS.GLOVER V. SMITH / STAGGS V. SMITH / BLAKE V. SMITH (INSTITUTIONAL MEDICAID EFFECTIVE DATE): ON AUGUST 9, 2022, AND NOVEMBER 28, 2022, WE APPEALED TWO ADMINISTRATIVE RULINGS CONCERNING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF OUR CLIENT'S INSTITUTIONAL MEDICAID COVERAGE. INSTITUTIONAL MEDICAID IS A SPECIAL CATEGORY THAT COVERS PEOPLE WHO REQUIRE MORE THAN 30 DAYS OF CARE IN A MEDICAL INSTITUTION. FEDERAL LAW HAS A SPECIFIC PROVISION ON INSTITUTIONAL MEDICAID THAT REQUIRES THAT THE START DATE OF COVERAGE BEGIN ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE 30-DAY CONFINEMENT PERIOD IN AN INSTITUTION. TENNCARE RULES CONFLICT AND HOLD COVERAGE DOES NOT START UNTIL THE 30TH DAY OR DATE OF APPLICATION, WHICHEVER IS LATER, WHICH LARGELY DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF THE FEDERAL PROTECTIONS, WHICH ARE THERE TO PROTECT PATIENTS FROM CATASTROPHIC EXPENSES. ON MAY 8, 2023, CHANCELLOR RUSSELL PERKINS RULED IN OUR FAVOR IN STAGGS V. SMITH. AS PART OF THE DECISION, THE COURT FOUND THAT WE WERE A PREVAILING PARTY AND AWARDED $18,000 IN FEES IN STAGGS. CHANCELLOR MYLES, WHO PRESIDED OVER THE GLOVER CASE, ASKED US TO SUBMIT A FEE PETITION, WHICH WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING. STATUS: WE RECEIVED FAVORABLE RESULTS FROM THE DAVIDSON COUNTY CHANCERY COURT ON BOTH STAGGS AND GLOVER ON THE SAME ISSUE. WE RECEIVED AN ADVERSE RULING FROM TENNCARE'S ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE ON THE SAME ISSUE IN BLAKE V. SMITH AND MAY FILE A THIRD APPEAL ON THIS ISSUE. REVERSAL OF THE STATE RULE WOULD BENEFIT MORE THAN A THOUSAND FAMILIES EACH YEAR.

  Expenses $1,368,673 · Revenue $368,614

• TJC'S MEDICAID, INDEPENDENCE AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH ADVOCACY PROGRAMS FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF TENNESSEANS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE VULENERABLE AND HAVE LOW INCOME, BY ENSURING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE. TJC IS CURRENTLY LEADING A STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN TO GET THE TN LEGISLATURE TO EXPAND TENNCARE. TJC ENGAGES ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS AND GRASSROOTS VOLUNTEERS TO CONTACT TN LAWMAKERS TO ASK THEM TO DRAW DOWN $1.4 BILLION/YEAR IN FEDERAL HEALTHCARE FUNDING IN ORDER TO PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE TO 300,000 TENNESSEANS (INCLUDING 24,000 VETERANS), GENERATE 15,000 JOBS, PROTECT THE STATE'S RURAL HOSPITALS, AND PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED FUNDING TO ADDRESS THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.TJC'S INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM AIMS TO ENSURE SENIORS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED. TJC HELPS INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS, PROVIDES TRAINING SESSIONS TO HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND ADVOCATED FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE TO PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW SENIORS AND ADULTS WITH DIASBILITIES TO LIVE WITH SAFETY, DIGNITY, AND INDEPENDENCE.ALSO AMONG TJC'S GOALS IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD IN TENNESSEE IS ENROLLED IN HEALTH INSURANCE AND THAT PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS WORK EFFECTIVELY TO MEET CHILDREN'S NEEDS. THE TEAM EDUCATES THE PUBLIC, POLICYMAKERS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF VITAL CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS, SUCH AS MEDICAID AND THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (CHIP), AND THE NEED TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THESE PROGRAMS TO BETTER MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN TENNESSEE. IT ALSO EDUCATES COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND ADVOCATES THROUGH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL TRAININGS, EDUCATION MATERIALS, AND A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER.

  Expenses $692,540 · Grants $19,200

• TJC'S NUTRITION ADVOCACY PROGRAM SUPPORTS GREATER ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE NUTRITION, INCLUDING DEFENDING AND IMPROVING SAFETY NET PROGRAMS LIKE SNAP (FORMERLY FOOD STAMPS) AND SCHOOL-BASED MEAL PROGRAMS. TJC PROTECTS THESE PROGRAMS AGAINST CUTS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL. TJC EDUCATES AND CONVENES OTHER AGENCIES AND STAKEHOLDERS WHO INTERSECT WITH LOW INCOME TENNESSEANS. OUR TEAM WORKS WITH LOW-INCOME CLIENTS ACROSS THE STATE THAT HAVE BEEN WRONGFULLY DENIED OR LOST THEIR SNAP BENEFITS. WE ADDRESS CHILD HUNGER AND POVERTY THROUGH WIC EXPANSION EFFORTS AND ADVOCATING FOR STRONGER CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS. WE EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT HOW NUTRITION PROGRAMS LIKE SNAP AND WIC PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE FOR TENNESSEANS WHO STRUGGLE WITH HUNGER AND PULL FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY. OVER 1,000 STAKEHOLDERS RECEIVE OUR MONTHLY UPDATES AND DOZENS OF PARTNERS STATEWIDE JOIN US AT TRAININGS AND REGIONAL ANTI-HUNGER MEETINGS TO WORK TOGETHER FOR A STATE WHERE NO TENNESSEAN GOES HUNGRY.IN 2021, TJC CONTINUED TO PLAY A PIVOTAL AND CRUCIAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT TENNESSSEE FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PANDEMIC-EBT, A BENEFIT CREATED IN THE RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO SUPPORT FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE SCHOOL MEALS AS A PART OF THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM (NSLP). TJC ALSO WORKED WITH REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PARTNERS AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO HELP AFGHAN REFUGEES RECEIVE MUCH-NEEDED NUTRITION BENEFITS FOLLOWING THEIR DESPERATE EVACUATION FROM KABUL AND SUBSEQUENT ARRIVAL IN TENNESSEE.

  Expenses $347,369

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

• NATE GILMER

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• JEFF GIBSON

  CHAIR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  2

• NEIL MCBRIDE

  SECRETARY

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  2

• JOSHUA HEDRICK

  TREASURER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  2

• DENISE ALPER

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• DEBORAH FARRINGER

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• SHINDANA L FEAGINS MD

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.3

• SABRINA FINNEY MD

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.3

• SARAH F GARDIAL

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• MIKE GARDNER

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.3

• SARAH GRISWOLD

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.3

• NITA GUINN

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.3

• PATRICIA GUNN

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.3

• LA'KISHIA HARRIS

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.3

• SADIATOU JALLOW

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.3

• KEVIN JAMES MD

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.3

• JENNIFER LANKFORD

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• GEORGE T BUCK LEWIS

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.3

• SARA LYNES

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• KRISTIE HELMS NETTLES

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.3

• FRIEDA H OUTLAW PHD RN

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.3

• STEVE THOMAS

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• SUSANNE TROPEZSIMS MD

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  0.3

• TEAKA JACKSON

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• BRITNEY KIRKSEY

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• ROBBIN PAGE

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• SHERI EDWARDS

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• JAELEIGH JOHNSON

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• MIKA MOSER

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• MONIQUECA N NAVARRE

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• MICHELE JOHNSON

  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $172,008

  From this org

  $163,817

  From related orgs

  $0

  Other

  $8,191

  Hours/week

  58

  Schedule J breakdown matched by us

  Base

  $163,817

  Bonus

  $0

  Other

  $0

  Deferred

  $0

  Nontaxable benefits

  $0

  Filer's total

  $163,817

• ROB WATKINS

  CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

  Total calculated

  $151,455

  From this org

  $131,852

  From related orgs

  $0

  Other

  $19,603

  Hours/week

  45

• ROBERT BRANT HARRELL

  LEGAL DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $140,087

  From this org

  $122,170

  From related orgs

  $0

  Other

  $17,917

  Hours/week

  40

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

• YMCA OF MEMPHIS & THE MID-SOUTH

  $11,700

  HEALTH ADVOCACY

• SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF NORTHEAST TENNESSEE

  $7,500

  HEALTH ADVOCACY

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

• TN JUSTICE PROPERTIES INC

  501(C)(3) · NEW MARKETS TAX CREDITS · TN

Provenance

Return type

form_990

Tax year

2023

Filed

20 September 2024

IRS schema version

2023v5.1

Source object

202422679349300987

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

The source document this was parsed from is served over the API, which is where bulk and document access live.