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Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Inc

EIN 58-1723645 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS A PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATION THAT MANAGES CHARITABLE FUNDS WITH A BROAD BASE OF DONORS TO BENEFIT THE AREAS OF WESTERN TENNESSEE, EASTERN ARKANSAS, AND NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI. SINCE 1969, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER MEMPHIS HAS BEEN WORKING WITH DONORS, PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS, AND NONPROFITS TO HELP STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY AND COMMUNITY GIVING.

Income
$171.4 million
Spending
$149.1 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
60.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
20
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$429,177, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 60.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 April 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 (4)
  1. $121.0 million spent. DONOR ADVISED FUNDS: THE FOUNDATION'S PRIMARY PROGRAM IS TO ADMINISTER DONOR ADVISED FUNDS. THESE FUNDS GIVE DONORS FLEXIBILITY TO MAKE GIFTS TO THEIR FUNDS AND DIRECT GRANTS TO THE NONPROFITS OF THEIR CHOICE.
  2. $990,662 spent. PROJECT FUNDS: THE FOUNDATION OFFERS PROJECT FUNDS TO DONORS TO ALLOW THEM TO SUPPORT ONE OR MORE NONPROFITS FOR A SPECIFIED TIME OR IN PERPETUITY.
  3. $3.9 million spent. DONOR DESIGNATED FUNDS: THE FOUNDATION OFFERS DONOR DESIGNATED FUNDS FOR SHORT-TERM USE BY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN COLLABORATION OR NONPROFITS AWAITING APPROVAL OF THEIR 501(C )(3) STATUS.
  4. $12.1 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 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 November 6, 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 April 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 August 1990.

    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 November 4, 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.