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Memphis in May International Festival Inc

EIN 23-7308001 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ORGANIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING AND SUPPORTING RECREATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES, FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE CITY OF MEMPHIS, PEOPLE OF MEMPHIS, AND THE PEOPLE OF OTHER CULTURES AND COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD BY INTRODUCING MEMPHIS TO THE WORLD AND THE WORLD TO MEMPHIS THROUGH THESE ANNUAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES THAT HONOR A SELECTED COUNTRY OF THE WORLD.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
8
Volunteers
357
Highest pay
$221,807, past president and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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 July 31, 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. $2.5 million spent. PROVIDING AND SUPPORTING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE BEALE STREET MUSIC FESTIVAL (BSMF); PROVIDING AND SUPPORTING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BARBEQUE COOKING CONTEST (WCBCC); PROVIDING AND SUPPORTING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE SHELBY COUNTY CELEBRATION (SC) AND THE GREAT AMERICAN RIVER RUN (GARR); PROVIDING AND SUPPORTING INTERNATIONAL AND DIPLOMAT EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES THAT HONOR THE SELECTED COUNTRY (INTL)AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES (ED), INCLUDING YEAR LONG SUPPORT FOR THE BSMF, WCBCC, GARR, INTL, EDUCATION AND VOLUNTEER EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 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 July 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 December 1978.

    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.