Lorraine Civil Rights Museum Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM (NCRM), LOCATED AT THE HISTORIC LORRAINE MOTEL, HONORS AND PRESERVES THE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING. WE CHRONICLE THE AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND TELL THE STORY OF THE ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. WE EDUCATE AND SERVE AS A CATALYST TO INSPIRE ACTION TO CREATE POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE.
- Income
- $23.1 million
- Spending
- $11.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- -8.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 45%
- Employees
- 73
- Volunteers
- 748
- Highest pay
- $348,543, president
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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 51% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 41% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2523 of 23 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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 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)
- $8.3 million spent. In fiscal year 2025, the National Civil Rights Museum welcomed 210,519 visitors who engaged with the story of the civil rights movement through its compelling exhibitions. The Museum extended its impact beyond its walls through a range of educational and community engagement initiatives. Key programs included the annual King Day celebration, which honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy with a focus on health and community, providing free admission to 4,267 visitors. The Museum also hosted the inspirational 57th anniversary of April 4th with "Remembering MLK: The Man. The Movement. The Moment. welcomed families and youth to the Ruby Bridges Reading Festival. Juneteenth Community Day drew 3,438 attendees with free admission and offered vital health services including screenings, vaccinations, and blood donations, underscoring the Museum's commitment to health equity. The Museum elevated its curatorial work with the acquisition of the Bayard Rustin collection and featured the temporary exhibition "Speaking Truth to Power - The Life of Bayard Rustin." Additional initiatives included the Southern Heritage Classic Exhibition, the "Catalyst for Change" Distinguished Speaker Series, a partnership for the 2025 Fair Housing Summit with the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, as well as book talks and professional development workshops for educators. The Museum also advanced its $38 million renovation of the Legacy Building, Founder's Park, and Legacy Terrace-an ambitious project currently supported through an active capital campaign.
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 July 1983.
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.