Rise Chattanooga
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of RISE Chattanooga is to provide an array of cultural arts programming to create new opportunities for creative experimentation and community empowerment in Chattanooga.
- Income
- $426,159
- Spending
- $436,617
- Spent on programs
- 63%
- Reserves
- 5.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 61%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 40
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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 53% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1563% 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
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $79,740 spent. Implementation of Youth and Digital Equity Programming Through programs like AMPLIFY and participation in Digital Skills, Education, and Workforce (DSEW) initiatives, RISE provided youth and community members with hands-on training in media arts, storytelling, and digital literacy. Participants gained critical skills in photography, podcasting, and technology, while also receiving devices and support to bridge the digital divide and prepare for future workforce opportunities.
- $162,229 spent. Launch and Growth of the BOOM Initiative RISE advanced its creative entrepreneurship pipeline by continuing to develop the BOOM Marketplace, which supports small creative and locally led businesses with access to physical retail space, pop-up opportunities, and business development resources. This initiative strengthened pathways toward economic mobility while activating the Glass Street corridor in East Chattanooga as a hub for creative commerce.
- $32,996 spent. Expansion of Free Community Arts Programming Through the Levitt BLOC Music Series RISE Chattanooga successfully expanded its free live music programming across multiple neighborhoods, removing barriers to access and increasing community engagement. In partnership with the City of Chattanooga, ArtsBuild, and national funders, the Levitt BLOC Music Series activated public spaces with high-quality performances, drawing diverse audiences and reinforcing RISE's role as a leader in equitable arts access.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.