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Museum of the New South Inc

EIN 56-1748648 · Charlotte, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Levine Museum's mission is to connect the past to the future to realize the promises of a New South through exhibits that explore complex chapters in the region's history and programs that launch dialogue, foster empathy, and build an equitable community.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
64.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
26
Volunteers
34
Highest pay
$247,568, president & ceo

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 64.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 64% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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.

  • 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 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 (1)
  1. $2.3 million spent. For 35 years, Levine Museum of the New South has explored the region's history through exhibitions, educational programs, and conversations that provide context around contemporary issues, tackle important questions, and encourage necessary community dialogue. Levine Museum is a civic and educational institution located in center city Charlotte offering digital experiences, exhibitions, and programming for adults, families, children, and school audiences. The Museum has earned a local, national, and international reputation for creating innovative and ground-breaking exhibitions and programs that use history to build community. Levine Museum realized the following accomplishments in fiscal year 2025 : (Continued on Schedule O) -Displayed long-term exhibition: Charlotte: Moving Forward, Looking Back. Aimed to educate natives and visitors alike, it is a foundational narrative of Charlotte history that answers questions about how we got here and where we are headed. -Placed the co-created traveling exhibition, Grier Heights: Community is Family in Charlotte spaces. -Hosted 21 public programs and events in 19 locations across the region. -Partnered with the Latin American Coalition to host the 20th Festival Dia de Muertos at Camp North End for a record-breaking 18,000 attendees. -Offered a successful Author Talks series, featuring programs with Bakari Sellers and Fawn Weaver. -Developed and published Season 2 of Our New South, a podcast with a national audience that explores how southern communities, including Charlotte, are confronting complex issues like equity in education and healthcare. -Won 4 awards for Season 1 of the Our New South podcast: 2 Signal Awards, an Anthem Award, and a Communicator Award. -Completed web-based project 50 Places in Charlotte, which uncovers the significance of and stories behind 50 sites across the city. -Provided content development, reviewing, and editing for the Pearl District's Purposeful Walk project about the former Brooklyn neighborhood. -Hosted professional development workshops to train more than 100 area educators serving more than 6,000 students. -Gave tours of the historic Brooklyn neighborhood using our KnowCLT app to almost 400 participants. -Created the Catalyst Fellowship Program, a history and experience-based leadership program for college students -- and secured funding for it to debut in FY26.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 December 1991.

    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.