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Semmes-Murphey Foundation

EIN 38-3790195 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

(1) TO ADVANCE THE ART AND SCIENCE OF NEUROSURGERY, NEUROLOGY AND RELATED DISCIPLINES THROUGH THE PRACTICE OF CLINICAL MEDICINE, THE PROVISION OF SURGICAL CARE, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVED METHODS, SYSTEMS, TECHNIQUES, AND RESOURCES IN FURTHERANCE THEREOF. (2) TO ESTABLISH AND PROMOTE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION IN COORDINATION AND COOPERATION WITH COLLEGES AND MEDICINE, SCIENCE AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS, HOSPITALS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES AND OTHERS. (3) TO ENGAGE IN CLINICAL AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN CONJUCTION WITH THE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY. (4) TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL AND SURGICAL PATIENT CARE, HEALTH EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE, AND OTHER THERAPEUTIC HEALTH SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, CREED, COLOR, SEX, AGE, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY, HEALTH STATUS, VETERAN STATUS OR (WITHIN THE ECONOMIC RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE CORPORATION) ABILITY TO PAY.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 54%
Employees
29
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$281,511, executive director

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

Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 83% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    4 of 12 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

    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 (2)
  1. $131,203 spent. OPERATED A FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM TO TRAIN PHYSICIANS IN THE ART AND SCIENCE OF ENDOVASCULAR NEUROSURGERY.
  2. $2.3 million spent. COMPILED DATA FOR VARIOUS CLINICAL RESEARCH STUDIES AND OTHER REGISTRIES, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL NEUROSURGERY OUTCOMES DATABASE (QOD).

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 July 2010.

    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.