Charter School Sponsors
According to T.C.A § 49-13-104, a sponsor is a proposed governing body filing an application for the establishment of a public charter school.
Tennessee law limits who may sponsor a charter school and prescribes what type of entity may operate a charter school. Only entities that are exempt from federal taxation under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may operate a public charter school in Tennessee, and a sponsor may not promote the agenda of any religious denomination or religiously affiliated entity.
A charter sponsor may not be any of the following:
- A for-profit entity
- Non-public school as defined in T.C.A. § 49-6-3001
- Other private, religious, or church school
- A postsecondary institution not regionally accredited
Funding a Charter School
Tennessee state law outlines in T.C.A. § 49-13-112 how public charter schools are funded. Generally, public charter schools may receive funding through the following sources:
- State and local funds allocated to the authorizing local education agency (LEA);
- Federal grants;
- Grants, gifts, devises or donations from any private sources;
- State funds appropriated for the support of the public charter school, if any; and
- Any other funds that may be received by the LEA.
More information related to funding sources is available at the following websites: