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International African American Museum

EIN 20-3398254 · Charleston, SC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM (IAAM) IS TO HONOR THE UNTOLD STORIES OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN JOURNEY AT ONE OF OUR COUNTRY'S MOST SACRED SITES. IAAM STEWARDS STORIES AND COLLECTIONS GROUNDED IN DIASPORIC, NATIONAL, AND SOUTH CAROLINA HISTORY TO SHARE IMPACT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE AND HISTORY.

Income
$11.2 million
Spending
$12.0 million
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
45.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
69
Volunteers
107
Highest pay
$242,548, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 45.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    28 of 28 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $3.9 million spent. THE LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES OF THE MUSEUM ENCOMPASS CURATORIAL AND EXHIBITION MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PROGRAMS MANAGEMENT, AND SCHOOL GROUP MANAGEMENT. THIS DIVISION ALSO OVERSEES THE MANAGEMENT OF GENEALOGY SERVICES, PROVIDING PUBLIC ACCESS TO GENEALOGY TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND DATABASES, AS WELL AS HISTORICAL RECORDS. THE DIVISION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING INTERPRETIVE AND EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES ALIGNED WITH THE MUSEUM'S MISSION THROUGH GALLERY AND DIGITAL EXHIBITIONS, VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON PROGRAMS, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES. STEWARDSHIP OF THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTION, WHICH INCLUDES OVER 700 ART PIECES, OBJECTS, AND ARTIFACTS SPANNING FROM THE 17TH CENTURY TO THE 21ST CENTURY, FALLS UNDER THIS DIVISION. THE COLLECTION, FEATURING SIGNIFICANT WORKS FROM AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES AND THE AFRICAN DIASPORA, WITH A FOCUS ON WEST AFRICAN AND CARIBBEAN COMMUNITIES, IS INTEGRAL TO THE MUSEUM'S MISSION AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. BY MANAGING AND ACTIVATING THESE COLLECTIONS, THE LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT DIVISION ENHANCES THE MUSEUM'S ROLE AS AN EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE, FOSTERING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE.
  2. $569,653 spent. MUSEUM OPERATIONS MANAGES REVENUE-GENERATING DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE CAF, RETAIL, AND EVENT RENTALS, CONTRIBUTING TO THE MUSEUM'S FINANCIAL STABILITY. THIS DIVISION ALSO OVERSEES VISITOR SERVICES, WHICH MANAGES THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE INCLUSIVE OF TICKET SALES. ADDITIONALLY, MUSEUM OPERATIONS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT MANAGEMENT, ENSURING THE TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORTS ALL MUSEUM ACTIVITIES.
  3. $2.6 million spent. THE FACILITY OPERATIONS ACTIVITIES OF THE MUSEUM MANAGE FACILITIES, GARDENS, SECURITY, AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS DIVISION ENSURES THE MAINTENANCE AND FUNCTIONALITY OF MUSEUM PROPERTIES, IMPLEMENTS SECURITY MEASURES (INCLUDING PERSONNEL AND SECURITY TECHNOLOGY), AND OVERSEES CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS AND MAINTENANCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.