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Creative Aging Memphis

EIN 27-0070615 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceFair55 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SENIORS BY STIMULATING THEIR MINDS, CREATIVITY, AND SENSE OF SELF THROUGH ARTS PROGRAMS THAT ENGAGE, EDUCATE, AND ENTERTAIN.

Income
$828,100
Spending
$856,542
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
7.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 38%
Employees
5
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$58,911, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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 December 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. $680,454 spent. CREATIVE AGING'S 3 ARTS-BASED PROGRAMS ENGAGE OLDER ADULTS AT PLACES THEY LIVE OR GATHER. PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE CONCERT SERIES, COMMUNITY PERFORMANCES, AND STUDIO COURSES. THE 2025-26 CONCERT SERIES INCLUDED 21 EVENTS FEATURING MEMPHIS' BEST ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS. THE CONCERT SERIES IMPACTED OLDER ADULTS 6951 TIMES. COMMUNITY PERFORMANCES AND STUDY COURSES TOOK PLACE 1,870 TIMES IN OVER 110 LOCATIONS ACROSS 36 ZIP CODES IN THE GREATER MEMPHIS AREA, INCLUDING SENIOR CENTERS, SENIOR HOUSING, LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS, THEATERS AND MORE. COMBINED 2025 PROGRAMS ENGAGED OLDER ADULTS A TOTAL OF 61,192 TIMES. PARTICIPANTS IN CREATIVE AGING'S STUDIO COURSES HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOWCASE THEIR ARTWORK AT ART SHOWS HELD AT THEATRE MEMPHIS, THE MEMPHIS PUBLIC LIBRARY, AND AT VARIOUS SENIOR CENTERS. CREATIVE AGING'S PROGRAMS HELP DRIVE THE LOCAL ARTS ECONOMY BY PAYING 164+ ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS WHO TEACH OR PERFORM AS PART OF OUR CLASSES AND EVENTS. THESE PERFORMANCES AND CLASSES BENEFIT SENIORS AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE BY ACTIVATING PARTICIPANTS' CREATIVE CAPACITY, BUILDING COMMUNITY AND REDUCING THE NEGATIVE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF SOCIAL ISOLATION AND INACTIVITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 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 December 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 March 2004.

    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.

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.