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Normal Park Museum Magnet Education Fund

EIN 46-4637778 · Chattanooga, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NORMAL PARK MUSEUM MAGNET EDUCATION FUND ("SPARK") EXISTS TO ASSURE THAT THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF ITS STUDENTS ARE FULLY MET. SPARK SUPPORTS NORMAL PARK MUSEUM MAGNET SCHOOL ("THE SCHOOL") IN ITS GOAL, ESPECIALLY IN PROVIDING A FULL CURRICULUM, A PROFESSIONAL STAFF, TARGETED INTERVENTION FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS, AND AN INNOVATIVE AND EQUITABLE APPROACH TO EDUCATION FOR ALL. ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, SPARK RAISES MONEY THROUGH GRANTS, PRIVATE DONATIONS, AND OTHER FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE SCHOOL.

Income
$277,518
Spending
$307,872
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 48%
Employees
1
Volunteers
120

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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 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 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
  1. $205,729 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES NORMAL PARK MUSEUM MAGNET SCHOOL SUPPORT FOR TEACHER SALARIES, TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, VISUAL ARTS, PERFORMING ARTS, TECHNOLOGY, AND STEM EDUCATION.
  2. $20,538 spent. THE ORGANIZATION'S LIGHTNING ATHLETIC CLUB COMMITTEE OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF QUALITY PROGRAMS WHICH WILL ENCOURAGE AND FACILIATE ALL PARTICIPANTS TO REALIZE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHAMPIONSHIP ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION, PHYSICAL FITNESS, AND WELL BEING.
  3. $60,350 spent. THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTS NORMAL PARK MUSEUM MAGNET SCHOOL WITH FACILITIES MAINTENANCE TO ENSURE THAT EACH STUDENT HAS A ROBUST LEARNING EXPERIENCE NOT ONLY INSIDE THE ACTUAL CLASSROOM, BUT ALSO IN THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM. FUNDS FROM THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDE THE STUDENTS WITH OUTDOOR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GARDEN, DEDICATED TEACHING SPACES, AND PHYSICAL STRUCTURES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2015.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.