Nonprofit · EIN 62-1678048
FIRST THINGS FIRST INC
Tax-exempt · CHATTANOOGA, TN 37408
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $1,337,876 | $1,419,425 | -$81,549 | $317,319 | $63,808 | $253,511 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $1,510,967 | $1,156,368 | $354,599 | $494,622 | $159,562 | $335,060 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $1,214,776 | $1,443,844 | -$229,068 | $383,863 | $403,402 | -$19,539 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,421,468
- of which government grants
- $418,009
- Program service revenue
- $1,823
- Investment income
- $6,450
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$94,882
- Other revenue
- -$91,865
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $21,619
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $197,203
- Other salaries and wages
- $669,406
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $935,872
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $4,799
- Accounting fees
- $42,058
- Occupancy
- $85,533
- Travel
- $4,460
- Depreciation
- $4,527
- Program services (functional)
- $1,045,725
- Management and general (functional)
- $263,163
- Fundraising (functional)
- $110,537
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $494,622
- Total assets, end of year
- $317,319
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $63,808
- Net assets, end of year
- $253,511
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $34,709
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $253,511
- Gross receipts
- $1,432,758
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 30
- Year formed
- 1997
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAUREN HALL | PRESIDENT AND CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $114,649 |
| MITCHELL QUALLS | SECRETARY AND VICE PRESIDENT OPERATIONS Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $82,554 |
| DAWN ANDERSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LORNA DURRANT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BRENT FAULK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANA FAULK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| EL LAGUTIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JENNIFER LAGUTIN | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| EMILY RAMSEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RYAN LUSK | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| JEFFREY MADDUX | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| EMILY MADDUX | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PATRICIA RUSSELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PETER SERODINO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BRIANNA SERODINO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
5 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUDREY SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SUSAN SPLETZER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KIRK STEHR | PAST CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| GERALD WARE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DANNIS WEATHERSBY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 15 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAUREN HALL | PRESIDENT AND CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $107,625 |
| MITCHELL QUALLS | SECRETARY AND VICE PRESIDENT OPERATIONS Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $74,129 |
| JENNIFER LAGUTIN | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| EL LAGUTIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RYAN LUSK | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| LORNA DURRANT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BRENT FAULK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANA FAULK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| EMILY RAMSEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JEFFREY MADDUX | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PETER SERODINO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BRIANNA ROGERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SUSAN SPLETZER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| GERALD WARE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KIRK STEHR | PAST CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAUREN HALL | PRESIDENT & CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $95,490 |
| DAVID ALLEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JULIAN BELL | PAST BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LORNA DURRANT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BRENT FALK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANA FAULK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RON HARRIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RHEY HOUSTON | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| JENNIFER LAGUTIN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| EL LAGUTIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BUDDY PRESLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RYAN LUSK | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| EMILY RAMSEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KIRK STEHR | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| GERALD WARE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MIKE WEBB | PAST BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1427 WILLIAMS ST, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37408-1141
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- LAUREN HALL, 1427 WILLIAMS STREET, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37408
- Signed the 990
- LAUREN HALL, PRESIDENT AND CEO
- Phone
- (423) 267-5383
- Website
- WWW.FIRSTTHINGS.ORG
- Return prepared by
- JOHNSON MURPHEY & WRIGHT PC
Mission
WE PROVIDE RESOURCES THAT GUIDE PEOPLE IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS SO THEY CAN LIVE BETTER LIVES. OUR VISION IS FOR HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS TO BE PASSED DOWN BY EVERY FAMILY FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.
Program accomplishments
- MARRIAGE INITIATIVE - THIS INITIATIVE INCLUDES EDUCATION AND COACHING. THE PURPOSE IS TO EMPOWER COUPLES WITH THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH.Expenses $191,794 · grants $2,307 · revenue $4,840
- FATHERING INITIATIVE - THIS INITIATIVE HELPS FATHERS BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN THE LIVES OF THEIR CHILDREN. DADS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IS A GRANT-FUNDED PROGRAM THAT SERVES MEN NAVIGATING THE CHILD SUPPORT SYSTEM. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO HELP DADS BE POSITIVE INFLUENCES IN THEIR CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT, REDUCE RECIDIVISM, HELP DADS IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, AND STRENGTHEN THE CO-PARENTING RELATIONSHIP. EPIC DADS IS A FATHERING PROGRAM TO HELP DADS HAVE POSITIVE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT WITH THEIR CHILDREN, BUILD A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT, AND STRENGTHEN THE CO-PARENTING RELATIONSHIP. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE COACHING AND CASE MANAGEMENT.Expenses $232,725 · grants $8,183
- PARENTING INITIATIVE - THIS INITIATIVE INCLUDES EDUCATION AND COACHING. THE PURPOSE IS TO INCREASE POSITIVE PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT. THE PROGRAMS PARTNER WITH LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND A LOCAL FAMILY SHELTER TO PROVIDE PARENTING EDUCATION, COACHING, AND CASE MANAGEMENT. THIS INITIATIVE ALSO INCLUDES MEND, MOMS EMBRACING A NEW DIRECTION, WHICH SERVES MOTHERS NAVIGATING THE CHILD SUPPORT SYSTEM.Expenses $543,057 · grants $11,129
- CROSS-CUTTING INITIATIVEExpenses $46,323
- COMMUNICATIONSExpenses $31,826
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
- 62-1678048
- 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
- 1997
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Health care (E42Z)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $317,319
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,432,758
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $1,337,876 | $1,419,425 | $317,319 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2024 | $1,510,967 | $1,156,368 | $494,622 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $1,214,776 | $1,443,844 | $383,863 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $1,445,921 | $1,370,368 | $440,699 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | 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 62-1678048).
Questions about FIRST THINGS FIRST INC
- What is the EIN of FIRST THINGS FIRST INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of FIRST THINGS FIRST INC is 62-1678048.
- Is FIRST THINGS FIRST INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1997.
- Are donations to FIRST THINGS FIRST INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does FIRST THINGS FIRST 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 FIRST THINGS FIRST 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 FIRST THINGS FIRST INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of FIRST THINGS FIRST INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names LAUREN HALL.
- Who are the officers and directors of FIRST THINGS FIRST INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 20 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $114,649 (LAUREN HALL, PRESIDENT AND CEO).
- How much revenue does FIRST THINGS FIRST INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,337,876, expenses of $1,419,425 and total assets of $317,319 at year end.
Other nonprofits in CHATTANOOGA
- ERLANGER HEALTH EIN 88-3616696 · last filed 990 for 2025
- BLOOD ASSURANCE INC EIN 62-0842419 · last filed 990 for 2025
- SISKIN HOSPITAL FOR PHYSICAL REHABILITATION EIN 62-1220402 · last filed 990 for 2025
- RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA INC EIN 62-1327855 · last filed 990 for 2025
- REVIVE DENTAL TENNESSEE EIN 84-4578125 · last filed 990 for 2025
- WELCOME HOME OF CHATTANOOGA EIN 46-2613489 · last filed 990 for 2025
- LIFESPRING COMMUNITY HEALTH EIN 27-3856741 · last filed 990 for 2024
- COMPASSION COMMUNITY CARE CENTER EIN 93-2850280 · last filed 990 for 2023