Tennessee Innocence Project

What Tennessee Innocence Project does

Tennessee Innocence Project (TIP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal organization founded in 2019 in Nashville as Tennessee's first full-time innocence organization. It investigates and litigates claims of actual innocence for incarcerated individuals in Tennessee whose direct appeals have been denied, screening roughly 161 new applications in 2024 from nearly 40 counties and securing 10 exonerations totaling 270 years of overturned wrongful imprisonment as of November 2025. Core services include wrongful conviction case investigation and litigation, a trauma-informed Reentry and Client Services Program (anchored by the state's first in-house Licensed Master Social Worker in innocence work), a Speakers Bureau supported by the Sony Music Group Social Justice Fund, and a Pen Pal Program for currently incarcerated clients.

The organization's underlying technical capability is forensic and procedural rather than digital: it applies AFIS fingerprint database re-analysis (enabled by a 2021 Tennessee fingerprint testing law that TIP helped advocate for), DNA evidence review, and post-conviction scientific evidence on eyewitness identification and false confessions to vacate convictions. It also runs a law student training pipeline (Vanderbilt and other local schools) and a community education program that reached 1,700+ people across 16 events in 7 cities in 2024.

TIP's revenue model is multi-channel nonprofit fundraising with no commercial product. Sources include a tiered monthly giving program (Freedom Champions at $25-$250/month), one-time donations via mygiving.net and GiveButter, planned/estate giving (IRA rollovers up to $100,000/year, charitable trusts), corporate event sponsorships (Purpose Transport, Garza Law, Burr & Forman, Bass Berry & Sims, Holland & Knight), grants (Sony Music Group Social Justice Fund, The Orchard), merchandise sales through a Squarespace storefront (Truth and Justice collection), and cause-marketing royalties (Bongo Java Grounds for Innocence at 15-25% of proceeds, Tea Huntress Grit & Grace at 20%). The flagship Journey to Justice gala in Nashville is the highest-disclosed revenue event, raising $500,000+ from 600-700 attendees in 2025. Customer segments span wrongfully convicted incarcerated Tennesseans (primary service recipients), exonerees in reentry, individual and corporate donors, law students, and volunteer community members.

Name

Tennessee Innocence Project

Legal name

Tennessee Innocence Project

Website

https://tninnocence.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tennessee Innocence Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2019 that investigates and litigates wrongful conviction claims across Tennessee, providing free legal representation, forensic re-analysis, and reentry support to wrongfully convicted individuals while educating communities and training law students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Aid Services

NAICS

Court Reporting and Stenotype Services (561492)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Court/Community School Programs (Diversion, Probation-Linked, Community Day Schools) (EDAJAEAI)

Keywords

• Wrongful conviction defense
• Post-conviction litigation
• Innocence investigation services
• Exoneree reentry support
• Nonprofit legal advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Monthly Giving Program (Freedom Champions): Recurring monthly donations at four tiers: Freedom Advocate ($25/month), Freedom Partner ($50/month), Freedom Champion ($100/month), and Freedom Leader ($250/month), providing steady stream of funding
2. One-Time Donations: 100% tax-deductible one-time donations accepted online via mygiving.net and givebutter.com, as well as by mail; processed via PayPal Giving Fund through Facebook Fundraisers
3. Event Sponsorships: Corporate and individual sponsorships for signature events like Journey to Justice (annual Nashville gala) with tiers including Presenting Sponsor, Innocence Sponsor, Exoneration Sponsor
4. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling branded merchandise (totes, hoodies, t-shirts, hats, vinyl records) ranging from $20-$50 per item, part of 'Truth and Justice' merchandise collection launched 2025
5. Planned Giving & Endowment: Long-term giving through charitable bequests, life-income gifts (charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities), retirement plan beneficiary designations, life insurance gifts, gifts of stock or real estate, charitable lead trusts, IRA Charitable Rollover (up to $100,000/year), and permanent endowment/reserve funds
6. Cause Marketing Partnerships: Product partnerships where 15-25% of proceeds from partner sales benefit TIP, including Bongo Java 'Grounds for Innocence' coffee blend and Tea Huntress 'Grit & Grace' tea
7. Community Rewards Programs: Kroger Community Rewards program where shoppers link their Plus Card (code UL846) and Kroger donates a portion of grocery and gas purchases to TIP
8. Grants and Foundation Funding: Grants from foundations such as the Sony Music Group Social Justice Fund and The Orchard supporting the Speakers Bureau program

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Tennessee Innocence Project is a non-profit law firm that provides free post-conviction investigation and litigation for individuals incarcerated in Tennessee who claim actual innocence of the crimes for which they were convicted. It applies modern forensic testing (including AFIS fingerprint database re-analysis and DNA evidence) and new scientific evidence on eyewitness identification and false confessions to seek vacatur of wrongful convictions, and complements its legal work with trauma-informed reentry and client support services led by an in-house Licensed Master Social Worker.

Product overview

The Tennessee Innocence Project (TIP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit law firm and service organization founded in 2019, structured as a portfolio of interrelated programs rather than a single unified software product. Its core service is the Wrongful Conviction Case Investigation and Litigation work supported by the Application for Help / Case Intake process, which feeds into its Reentry and Client Services Program led by its first LMSW. Around this core, TIP operates engagement and revenue programs including the Freedom Champions Monthly Giving Program, the Truth and Justice Merchandise Collection, the Speakers Bureau, and the Pen Pal Program, plus signature annual events like Journey to Justice (Nashville). It also markets co-branded products — the Grounds for Innocence Coffee Blend (with Bongo Java and the Innocence Project), Grit and Grace Tea (with The Tea Huntress), and the Journey to Justice: Songs of Innocence Volume 1 vinyl — that channel consumer proceeds back into the organization's legal and reentry work.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Freedom Champions Program: Monthly giving initiative that invites supporters to contribute regularly to TIP, with tiered giving levels (Freedom Advocate $25/mo, Freedom Partner $50/mo, Freedom Champion $100/mo, Freedom Leader $250/mo).
• Journey to Justice
• Speakers Bureau
• Pen Pal Program

Products and services

• Wrongful Conviction Case Investigation and Litigation Free post-conviction investigation and litigation for individuals incarcerated in Tennessee who claim factual innocence, addressing mistaken eyewitness identification, false confessions, unethical official conduct, and inadequate legal representation. TIP has helped secure 10 exonerations representing approximately 270 years of wrongful imprisonment overturned since founding in 2019.
• Reentry and Client Services Program Trauma-informed client care and resource navigation for the wrongfully convicted from incarceration through exoneration and community reintegration, led by TIP's first Licensed Master Social Worker (Riley Cunningham).
• Freedom Champions Monthly Giving Program Recurring monthly donation initiative with four tiers (Freedom Advocate $25, Freedom Partner $50, Freedom Champion $100, Freedom Leader $250) that provides reliable funding for legal, policy, and forensic science work, plus donor benefits including merchandise discounts, exclusive quarterly newsletters, and twice-yearly virtual meetups with the Executive Director.
• Truth and Justice Merchandise Collection Branded apparel and accessories line including the Every Day Counts Tote ($20), Distressed Logo Tees in multiple colors ($25), Freedom Fighter Tee ($25), Freedom Fighter Hoodie ($50), and TIP Logo Hat ($25); sold through TIP's online Squarespace storefront.
• Grounds for Innocence Coffee Blend Limited-edition organic coffee blend co-created with Bongo Java and The Innocence Project using premium 100% organic beans; 25% of proceeds from the blend (15% on gift-set items) directly support TIP and the national Innocence Project.
• Grit and Grace Tea Two-blend tea collaboration with Nashville-based The Tea Huntress: "Grit," a bold Rwandan black tea ($16/bag), and "Grace," a calming botanical blend with lemon balm, blue butterfly pea flower, and chamomile ($18/bag); 20% of proceeds support TIP services.
• Journey to Justice: Songs of Innocence Volume 1 (Vinyl Record) Exclusive 7-inch vinyl record ($25) featuring original songs written and performed by exonerees and professional musicians, including "It's the Truth" and "Unbroken," produced by Zac Maloy.
• Pen Pal Program Volunteer correspondence program that matches community members with TIP clients currently incarcerated; volunteers commit to writing at least one letter per month for a minimum of one year to provide support, encouragement, and human connection.
• Speakers Bureau Educational presentation program featuring TIP attorneys and exonerees offering presentations such as "Case Walkthrough Experience" and "Wrongful Convictions 101" to communities across Tennessee; reached over 1,700 individuals across 16 events in 7 cities in 2024.
• Journey to Justice Annual Nashville Event Annual flagship Nashville gala featuring cocktails, live auction, exoneree interviews, and the annual Rule of Law Award; the 2025 edition raised over $500,000 from 600+ attendees.
• Application for Help / Case Intake Written mail-based application process for incarcerated individuals seeking TIP representation; accepts only claims of factual innocence where the direct appeal has been denied, the applicant cannot afford an attorney, and the case meets other defined criteria.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 exonerations secured since founding in 2019, accounting for 270 years of wrongful imprisonment overturned
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Bongo Java / Bongo Roasting CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-branded coffee partnership launching 'Grounds for Innocence' blend made with premium, 100% organic beans sourced ethically from small-scale farmers. 25% of proceeds directly power both Innocence Project organizations (TIP and national Innocence Project). Expanded for holiday season with Grounds for Innocence Gift Sets, Mugs, and Totes.
• The Tea HuntresscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNashville-based tea company partner for 'Grit & Grace' tea collaboration. Two blends available - GRIT ($16/bag), a bold black tea from Rwanda, and GRACE ($18/bag), a soothing botanical blend. 20% of proceeds directly support TIP's services including litigation, investigation, and re-entry support.
• Kroger (Community Rewards Program)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTennessee residents can link their Kroger Plus Card to TIP using code UL846; Kroger donates a portion of proceeds from grocery and gas purchases to TIP through the Community Rewards program.
• Bass, Berry & SimsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing ally of TIP and one of the most generous pro-bono legal partners since TIP's founding in 2019. Bass Berry Sims has been on the front lines with TIP fighting for innocence cases including Wayne Burgess (exonerated 2023), Artis Whitehead (exonerated 2024), Thomas Clardy (still fighting), and Greg Lance (still fighting). Ashleigh Karnell worked at TIP on a six-month pro-bono fellowship.
• The Innocence Project (national)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner organization that has collaborated on multiple cases including Scott Minton (exonerated 2024), with senior staff attorney Adnan Sultan serving as lead counsel. TIP also partnered on the Bongo Java 'Grounds for Innocence' coffee blend with both organizations benefitting.
• Barnes & ThornburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm partner providing pro bono counsel to Joyce Watkins for Certificate of Exoneration process before the Tennessee Board of Parole. Partners JD Thomas and Mackenzie Hobbs represented Watkins alongside TIP in 2024.
• Destiny Theatre Experience and Darkhorse TheatreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented 'The Exonerated' documentary-style play at Darkhorse Theatre in Nashville on May 10, 2025; proceeds directly benefited TIP and their legal services. Directed by activist and artist Shawn Whitsell.
• Loews Vanderbilt HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for the 2025 Journey to Justice event where 600+ community members came together.
• Davidson County District Attorney's Conviction Review Unit (CRU)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Conviction Review Unit of the Davidson County DA's Office to show clear evidence of innocence in cases including Paul Shane Garrett (TIP's first exoneration in 2021) and Joyce Watkins/Charles Dunn (2022). Sunny Eaton serves as Director of CRU. Two entities plan to continue partnering together to reduce and prevent these tragic errors in the future.
• Undisclosed Podcast / Rabia O'Chaudry, Susan Simpson, Colin MillerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInvestigative podcast 'Undisclosed' covered Greg Lance's case in 'State v. Greg Lance' episode series, led by lawyer and creator Rabia O'Chaudry and attorneys Colin Miller and Susan Simpson. Provided platform for wrongful conviction awareness.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Georgia Innocence Project: State-level innocence organization with the same mission, structure, and revenue model as TIP (individual donations, events, grants). Directly comparable as a Southeast peer serving a single state's incarcerated population with similar post-conviction DNA and forensic testing work.
• Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project: Regional innocence organization serving D.C., Maryland, and Virginia with the same wrongful conviction investigation and litigation model as TIP. Comparable in scope (regional/state-level), staffing, and case criteria (factual innocence post-conviction).
• California Innocence Coalition: Coalition of California innocence organizations performing the same wrongful conviction investigation/litigation work as TIP. Directly comparable mission and operational model at a regional scale.
• The Innocence Project: The national Innocence Project is TIP's closest collaborator and counterpart, working on the same wrongful conviction investigation/litigation model. TIP has co-litigated cases with the national Innocence Project (e.g., Scott Minton) and co-branded the Grounds for Innocence coffee blend, making it the most directly comparable organization.
• North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence: State-level innocence organization housed at NCCU School of Law, performing identical functions to TIP - investigating and litigating claims of actual innocence for wrongfully convicted North Carolinians. Highly comparable mission, intake model, and case mix.
• Texas Innocence Project: State-level innocence organization at the University of Texas School of Law, performing identical post-conviction innocence investigation and litigation. Direct peer with the same revenue model (donations, events, grants) and case-mix profile.

Others

• Innocence Network: National membership association of innocence organizations, of which TIP is a member and whose Executive Board includes TIP's Executive Director Jason Gichner. Functions as TIP's industry body and peer ecosystem enabler rather than a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• After Innocence: Reentry support organization for exonerees. Overlaps with TIP's Reentry and Client Services Program (led by TIP's first in-house LMSW Riley Cunningham) and represents the kind of specialized adjacent nonprofit that TIP increasingly partners with or competes for reentry funding.
• Witness to Innocence: National exoneree-led organization that overlaps with TIP's mission of exoneree advocacy and policy reform. While not a direct litigation peer, Witness to Innocence complements TIP by organizing exonerees to push for legislative reform - a related but distinct function.

Broad incumbents

• Equal Justice Initiative: Larger, well-established criminal justice reform organization with a much broader portfolio (death penalty, mass incarceration, racial justice, EJI Museum). A broad incumbent that overlaps thematically with TIP's wrongful conviction reform mission and competes for some of the same major donor funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TNInnocenceProject
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tennessee-innocence-project

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tennessee Innocence Project