Make Nashville
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our purpose is to provide the community, training, tools, and opportunity for everyone to experience the transformative experience of making. We want to help more people make, and to help makers make more.
- Income
- $569,405
- Spending
- $387,131
- Spent on programs
- 50%
- Reserves
- 12.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 99%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 25
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1550% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 54 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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 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 (3)
- $177,180 spent. We provided a safe space for people from all backgrounds to come and learn how to express themselves creatively. We offered training to hundreds of individuals of all age groups. Make Nashville provided a 12,000 square-foot makerspace where members from all backgrounds worked on hobbies, made repairs, and expressed themselves creatively. Over 500 members had access to a variety of creative facilities including our ceramics, woodworking, and metalworking shops, 3D and CNC printing, an auto shop, a photography dark rooms, and spaces for electronics, sewing and crafts. 24-hour access, an open floor plan, and a strong community spirit allowed Make Nashville members to work and learn at their own pace while also collaborating with peers and experts.
- $17,262 spent. Make Nashville facilitates a number of classes, workshops, and opportunities for our members and the general public to learn about making from local experts. Over the last year, we have conducted over 50 hands-on classes covering various topics, such as ceramics, woodworking, welding, and sewing.
- To support local makers in their professional pursuits, we provide tools, expert guidance, and rental spaces tailored for professional use. All of our rental spaces are currently occupied. Make Nashville encourages its members to take advantage of the high-quality equipment and mentorship available to them to elevate their making to a professional level. This initiative not only enhances the skill levels of our members but also contributes to the local economy by helping individuals launch and grow their making-related businesses.
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
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 December 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 December 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.