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Joel Chandler Harris Association

EIN 58-0966186 · Atlanta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WRENS NEST IS A MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER THAT PRESERVES STORYTELLING TRADITIONS, CULTIVATES A LOVE OF STORIES AND STORYTELLING, AND CELEBRATES SELF-EXPRESSION.

Income
$91,086
Spending
$178,941
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 41%
Employees
5
Volunteers
2

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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 96% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (2)
  1. $153,868 spent. HOUSE TOURS AND STORYTELLING: EACH SATURDAY AND DURING PRIVATE BOOKINGS AND FIELD TRIPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE WRENS NEST OFFERS GUIDED MUSEUM TOURS, INTERPRETING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OUR NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK AND ATLANTAS OLDEST HOUSE MUSEUM. AS PART OF OUR MISSION TO PRESERVE STORYTELLING PERFORM BRER RABBIT FOLKTALES AND FOLKTALES FROM GLOBAL STORYTELLING EACH WEEK FOR LIVE AUDIENCES.
  2. $10,495 spent. YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS - THE WRENS NEST IS AN AFFILIATE OF DOLLY PARTONS IMAGINATION LIBRARY, AND WE HELP CONNECT CHILDREN AGES 0-5 IN THE 30310 AND 30315 ZIP CODES TO THIS MONTHLY FREE BOOK SERVICE. IN 2024, WE DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF YOUNG READERS ENROLLED IN THIS PROGRAM & NOW PROVIDE FREE BOOKS TO MORE THAN 400 CHILDREN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. THE WRENS NEST IS A PROGRAM PARTNER OF THE MAYORS SUMMER READING CLUB AND IN 2024 HOSTED AN WEEK LONG INAUGURAL SCRIBES SUMMER CAMP WHICH NINE YOUNG AUTHORS LEARNED ABOUT THE CRAFT OF WRITING, EXPLORED DIFFERENT GENRES, AND SHARED THEIR WORK WITH AN AUDIENCE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT A SCRIBES SHOWCASE ON THE LAST DAY OF CAMP. THIS CAMP WAS TAUGHT BY LOCAL AUTHOR & ATLANTA NATIVE HUGH HUNTER & MANAGED BY OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 November 1961.

    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.