Nonprofit · EIN 62-1630417
TENNESSEE JUSTICE CENTER INC
Tax-exempt · NASHVILLE, TN 37210
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $3,548,486 | $3,589,740 | -$41,254 | $10,834,100 | $1,420,887 | $9,413,213 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $4,972,010 | $4,024,106 | $947,904 | $10,289,819 | $1,031,732 | $9,258,087 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $4,578,958 | $3,365,084 | $1,213,874 | $10,001,620 | $1,779,707 | $8,221,913 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $3,541,524
- of which government grants
- $280,379
- Program service revenue
- $23,085
- Investment income
- $202,353
- Net rental income
- -$218,476
- Other revenue
- -$218,476
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $93,409
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $297,273
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,944,478
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $2,696,557
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $119,906
- Occupancy
- $226,922
- Travel
- $9,835
- Depreciation
- $12,687
- Program services (functional)
- $2,590,201
- Management and general (functional)
- $538,329
- Fundraising (functional)
- $461,210
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $10,289,819
- Total assets, end of year
- $10,834,100
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,420,887
- Net assets, end of year
- $9,413,213
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $35,148
- Publicly traded securities
- $2,753,783
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $9,229,635
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $183,578
- Gross receipts
- $3,974,486
- Employees
- 35
- Year formed
- 1995
- State of legal domicile
- TN
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michele M Johnson | CEO Officer | 58 | $173,782 | $24,318 |
| Rob Watkins | COO Officer | 45 | $123,491 | $25,356 |
| Kay Caudle | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Sherie Edwards | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Sabrina Finney MD | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Sarah Gardial PhD | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Mike Gardner | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Jeff Gibson | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Nate Gilmer | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Nita Guinn | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Patricia Gunn | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| La'Kishia Harris | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Josh Hedrick | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Roderick Holmes | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| C Joseph Hubbard | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
16 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaka Jackson | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Sadiatou Jallow | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Britney Kirksey | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Jennifer Lankford | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Sara Lynes | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Neil McBride | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Mika Moser | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Moniqueca N Navarre PhD | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Kristie Nettles | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Freida H Outlaw PhD RN | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Yolanda Pierce PhD | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Jonathan Steen | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Zudi Takizala | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| John Tishler | Chairman Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Suzanne Tropez-Sims MD | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| John T Winemiller | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 37 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICHELE JOHNSON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 58 | $169,140 | $8,448 |
| ROB WATKINS | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer | 45 | $124,532 | $29,193 |
| ROBERT BRANT HARRELL | LEGAL DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $119,010 | $27,822 |
| NATE GILMER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFF GIBSON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| NEIL MCBRIDE | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSHUA HEDRICK | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DENISE ALPER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH FARRINGER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHINDANA L FEAGINS MD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| SABRINA FINNEY MD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| SARAH F GARDIAL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE GARDNER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| SARAH GRISWOLD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| NITA GUINN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICIA GUNN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| LA'KISHIA HARRIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| SADIATOU JALLOW | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN JAMES MD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNIFER LANKFORD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GEORGE T BUCK LEWIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| SARA LYNES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KRISTIE HELMS NETTLES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| FRIEDA H OUTLAW PHD RN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSANNE TROPEZSIMS MD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| TEAKA JACKSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRITNEY KIRKSEY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBBIN PAGE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERI EDWARDS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAELEIGH JOHNSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKA MOSER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MONIQUECA N NAVARRE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RODRICK HOLMES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| KAY CAUDLE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSEPH HUBBARD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| ZUDI TAKIZALA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN TISHLER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 33 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICHELE JOHNSON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 58 | $163,817 | $8,191 |
| ROB WATKINS | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer | 45 | $131,852 | $19,603 |
| ROBERT BRANT HARRELL | LEGAL DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $122,170 | $17,917 |
| NATE GILMER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFF GIBSON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| NEIL MCBRIDE | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSHUA HEDRICK | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DENISE ALPER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH FARRINGER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHINDANA L FEAGINS MD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| SABRINA FINNEY MD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| SARAH F GARDIAL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE GARDNER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| SARAH GRISWOLD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| NITA GUINN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICIA GUNN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| LA'KISHIA HARRIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| SADIATOU JALLOW | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN JAMES MD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNIFER LANKFORD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GEORGE T BUCK LEWIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| SARA LYNES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KRISTIE HELMS NETTLES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| FRIEDA H OUTLAW PHD RN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE THOMAS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSANNE TROPEZSIMS MD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| TEAKA JACKSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRITNEY KIRKSEY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBBIN PAGE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERI EDWARDS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAELEIGH JOHNSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKA MOSER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MONIQUECA N NAVARRE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 155 LAFAYETTE ST, NASHVILLE, TN 37210-3461
- In care of
- % MICHELE JOHNSON
- Signed the 990
- Michele M Johnson, CEO
- Phone
- (615) 255-0331
- Website
- www.tnjustice.org
- Return prepared by
- Thomason Financial Resources
Mission
The Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) advocates on behalf of low-income Tennesseans in areas of public policy having the greatest impact on their health and welfare.
Program accomplishments
- Legal Services and Partnerships - TJC provides legal representation and advocacy for individual clients and on behalf of large groups of at-risk, low-income Tennesseans in civil matters, including administrative appeals outside the judicial system. In 2025, TJC handled 2,231 cases for low-income clients, including 1,286 health-related matters and 845 nutrition matters, securing approximately $8.72 million in benefits and reaching families in 91 counties across Tennessee. These cases helped clients preserve or regain Medicaid, SNAP, and related benefits and informed broader systems reform through litigation and agency advocacy. TJC continued major impact litigation in A.M.C. v. Smith, which challenges TennCare disenrollment practices and has already produced important rulings on due process and eligibility protections, and in Bull v. Carter, which challenges systemic delays, appeal failures, and benefit restoration problems in SNAP. TJC also provided training and technical assistance to attorneys, health care financial counselors, and community partners on TennCare, Medicare Savings Programs, SNAP, and WIC eligibility and appeals so more Tennesseans could get timely help.Expenses $1,424,197
- Health Advocacy for Seniors, Adults, Children and People with Disabilities - TJCs Medicaid, independence, and childrens health advocacy programs focus on improving the well-being of Tennesseans, particularly medically fragile, at-risk, and low-income seniors, adults, children, and people with disabilities. TJC helps these individuals obtain and maintain affordable health coverage and the ongoing home- and community-based support they need to bathe, dress, manage medications, and remain safely in their homes. The Independence program supports older adults and adults with disabilities who want to avoid unnecessary institutional care by helping families understand and use options for paid caregiving, private-duty nursing, and other long-term supports, and by challenging care cuts that threaten health and independence. The childrens health program helps low-income and medically fragile children get and keep coverage and services through TennCare and CoverKids, and helps families navigate applications, appeals, and coverage problems. In 2025, TJC handled 1,286 health-related cases, including 844 independence cases, and served families in 91 counties across Tennessee. TJC also educated the public, providers, and community leaders about TennCare, CoverKids, caregiving options, and proposed rule changes through in-person and virtual trainings, monthly briefings, and presentations across Tennessee.Expenses $776,348
- Nutrition Advocacy - TJCs nutrition advocacy program supports greater access to affordable nutrition through SNAP, WIC, Summer EBT, and school-based meal programs for low-income Tennesseans. In 2025, TJC handled 845 nutrition-related cases, helped more than 140 households obtain replacement SNAP benefits after a winter storm, and worked with families and partners to address delays, interview problems, benefit calculation errors, and portal barriers during one of the most disruptive periods SNAP has seen in recent years. TJC led a broad statewide campaign to restore Summer EBT and expand free school meals, supporting legislation with 18 cosponsors, coordinating a county-mayor sign-on letter with 58 mayors, and mobilizing students, parents, pediatricians, faith leaders, and partner organizations to secure up to $80 million in summer food assistance for roughly 700,000 children. TJC also convened WIC partner calls, trained providers and immigrant-serving organizations, and provided practical guidance to help families enroll in and retain nutrition benefits, while sharing resources and updates through its website and communications channels.Expenses $389,656
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 62-1630417
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1996
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Crime and legal-related (I80)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $10,834,100
- Income (IRS master file)
- $3,974,486
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $3,548,486 | $3,589,740 | $10,834,100 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $4,972,010 | $4,024,106 | $10,289,819 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $4,578,958 | $3,365,084 | $10,001,620 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $3,678,995 | $2,566,456 | $9,776,670 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2017 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 62-1630417).
Questions about TENNESSEE JUSTICE CENTER INC
- What is the EIN of TENNESSEE JUSTICE CENTER INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of TENNESSEE JUSTICE CENTER INC is 62-1630417.
- Is TENNESSEE JUSTICE CENTER INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1996.
- Are donations to TENNESSEE JUSTICE CENTER INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does TENNESSEE JUSTICE CENTER INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of TENNESSEE JUSTICE CENTER INC due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did TENNESSEE JUSTICE CENTER INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who are the officers and directors of TENNESSEE JUSTICE CENTER INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 31 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $173,782 (Michele M Johnson, CEO).
- How much revenue does TENNESSEE JUSTICE CENTER INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $3,548,486, expenses of $3,589,740 and total assets of $10,834,100 at year end.
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