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Hattiloo Theatre

EIN 20-4225394 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HATTILOO THEATRE IS DEDICATED TO CULTIVATION AND APPRECIATION OF THE BLACK DRAMA ARTS AND IS ESTABLISHED TO DEVELOP A BLACK THEATRE THAT IS ACCESSBLE, REFLECTIVE AND RELEVANT OF THE MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY FOR MEMPHIS.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
12.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
11
Volunteers
72
Highest pay
$210,160, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 June 30, 2025, 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 (1)
  1. $1.5 million spent. HATTILOO THEATRE WAS FOUNDED IN 2006, IN MEMPHIS TN IN A STOREFRONT. HATTILOO THEATRE PRODUCES ANNUAL SEASONS OF SEVEN PLAYS/MUSICALS THAT PROVIDE AUDIENCES A CONTEXTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF BLACK LIFE. ROOTED IN BLACK STORYTELLING, HATTILOO'S ACTIVITIES ARE A DIAMETRICAL RESPONSE TO AMERICAN THEATRE THAT HAS LARGELY AND HISTORICALLY BEEN CONCEIVED AS A WHITE AMERICAN ART FORM DESIGNED TO TELL THE STORIES OF WHITE AMERICANS. HATTILOO'S PROGRAMS SHIFT INACCURACIES AROUND BLACK IDENTITY, WHILE SHOWCASING THE BEST THAT BLACK THEATRE HAS TO OFFER.HATTILOO IS ONE OF SEVEN FREE-STANDING BLACK THEATRES IN THE NATION, AND THE ONLY ONE IN THE MID SOUTH. AS SUCH, IT SERVES AS THE PREEMINENT SUPPORTIVE SPACE FOR SOUTHERN BLACK ARTISTS TO HONE THEIR TALENTS AS THEY ARTICULATE THE STRUGGLE, TRIUMPH, AND BEAUTY OF BLACK LIFE THROUGH THEIR CRAFT. HATTILOO USES THE POWER OF UNAPOLOGETIC BLACK STORYTELLING TO EMPOWER RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN "CULTURAL DESERTS", WHOSE VOICES DEEPEN THE REGION'S CULTURAL NARRATIVE. HATTILOO ALSO SERVES AS A BEACON OF CULTURAL PROGRESS IN MEMPHIS, CHALLENGING SOME MISCONCEPTIONS OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SOUTHERN AND BLACK.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 April 2006.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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