Black Archives of Mid-America Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 46% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The Mission of The Black Archives of Mid-America is to collect, preserve and make available to the public materials documenting the social, economic, political and cultural histories of persons of African descent in the Central United States, with an emphasis on the Kansas City, Missouri region. The Black Archives of Mid-America is an educational resource and provides access to its collections for research, exhibition and publication to honor our community's heritage and to catalyze public awareness.
- Income
- $793,405
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 46%
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 80%
- Employees
- 23
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $117,151, chief executive officer
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: 35 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 45% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1546% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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
Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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
7 of 7Has a 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (1)
- $527,960 spent. The Year 2024 was filled with amazing growth and productivity for the Black Archives of Mid-America in Kansas City. Still recovering from a near shut-down following the COVID 19 epidemic, we instituted new exhibitions, programs, and events that drew many people to our building. We also partnered with many people and organizations to bring valuable information in. We have worked diligently to stabilize our resources, build our staff and enhance our commitment to our community. Financial: Board Chair Marjorie Williams identified and wrote a successful grant proposal for $10,000 to the AIDS Service Foundation for outreach to women. Our first "reach" was to women at the UMKC Women of Color Leadership Summit. We also included AIDS/HIV education at our Red Table Top Women's Empowerment Summit. BAYCON leaders Marcus Bass and John McGee facilitated an informational table and dispersed fliers on HIV/AIDS at the Footprints, Inc at Christian Fellowship Baptist church. BAKC received eight NTDF grants: Black History Month Gala: $46,800, Find Your Folks: Genealogy Seminar: $5,500, National African American Quilt Conference: $19,200, Operation Hero Homecoming: $5000, Stop the Violence Basketball Tournament: $7500, The Wayne Miner Story: $16,800, Women's Empowerment Summit: $5200, and Salvaging the History of Black Churches: $12,500. The University of Kansas' Hall Center for the Humanities provided BAKC with a post-graduate summer fellow, who worked with staff on creating study guides. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation granted BAKC $75,000. The University of Missouri-Kansas City provided us with three summer fellowships. The Full Employment Council provided us with a worker to assist in the Black Coffee Cafe. Dr Carmaletta Williams presented at the Hall Center for the Humanities "Stories for All" conference, the final obligation on our grant from them. The City of Kansas City, MO granted the Black Archives $450,000 for operations. The State of Missouri appropriated $175,000 to BAKC. Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area awarded BAKC $2000 to purchase shelving and other necessities for the Collections area. The City of Kansas City, MO through its Public Improvements Advisory Council (PIAC) appropriated $127,271 to secure pillars in the Kauffman Exhibition Hall. The William T Kemper II Charitable Trust - Commerce Bank, Trustee awarded BAKC $5000 to be used for cataloging our collections. The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation graciously awarded BAKC a grant in the amount of $5000. We reached our goal of securing $100,000 for creation of a biopic based on Alvin Brooks' memoir "Binding Us Together." The University of Missouri-Kansas City was the recipient of a significant Mellon Foundation grant to preserve monuments. The Greater Kansas City Black Women Suffragist Committee, of which Dr Williams is chair, was a recipient of a $200,000 grant to aid with building the memorial. The Collections Department: completed 59 AC Collections; added 32 collections to Past Perfect; Library Section - cataloged 2210 books, 23 newsletters, 10 research papers, 478 journals, and 2448 magazines; Photos scanned into Subject Photo Data - 309; Total Research Requests - 66; New donations: 21 new collections; Genealogy Programs - 13; Other educational programs - 4; Exhibits - 9; Partnerships with other organizations - 3. Community Connections, Events, and Exhibitions: The Black Archives celebrated its 50th Anniversary with 500 people in attendance. The event was held at the KC Convention Center, was beautifully decorated, the food was good and our keynote speaker, Michael Harriott, author of "Black AF History" excited the crowd. The exhibition "Black Art: Eastside Artists," a powerful exhibit installed for one month in the Rotating Gallery, was well attended. Dr Williams addressed visitors to William Jewell University at its Freedom Walk Dedication Ceremony. The Whitney Museum opened "Edges of Alley," an extremely powerful exhibition of the Life and Legacy of Alvin Ailey. Dr Williams was invited to the opening as their guest. Also in attendance were Archives board members Marjorie Williams, Board Chair, and Allan Gray, BAKC board member, who owns the Ailey collection and houses it at the Black Archives. The Whitney Museum sent researchers here to explore the collection and collect documents, pictures, etc., for the exhibition. The Jackson County Legislature issued a joint proclamation to LINC, The KC Public Library, and the Black Archives for our Black History Book (printed and virtual). Dr Williams and Archivist Laura Darnell spoke at the American Association for State & Local History in Mobile, Alabama. The United Way honored BAKC with recognition on The Pitch at the KC Current soccer game. Dr Williams has two written pieces included in the Toys and Miniatures Museum exhibition on black dolls. Dr Williams met with environmentalist writer Vann Newkirk, and Phil Cunningham and Dave Tell of the University of KS for insight into making exhibits public facing for the Archives. Preston Washington continues to do an amazing job in leading our genealogical research classes for the public. The Midwest Geneology Center created an amazing exhibition centered around BAKC. We are pleased and honored. History Co-Lab has partnered with BAKC in creating "Elementary Trunks for Social Studies" which includes "detective kits" for school age children in every school in the KC metro area to guide them in historical research. BAKC continued its Client Connected partnership with Ray-Pec school district by being part of a consortium leading students in creating digital exhibits. The Black Archives began a Client Connected project with Crossroads Academy. Dr Williams spoke at the Stockyard's Legends Dinner that honored former board member, Crosby Kemper, III. BAKC is partnering with the Nelson-Atkins Museum on an exhibition in 2026 about Photography and Abolition in the Age of Pictures. Dr Williams facilitated a workshop at the Joplin, MO Ju
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
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 2024.
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 July 1976.
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.
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