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Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

EIN 58-1892067 · Birmingham, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MUSEUM AND EDUCATION INSTITUTE TO ENLIGHTEN EACH GENERATION ABOUT CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS BY EXPLORING OUR COMMON PAST AND WORKING TOGETHER IN THE PRESENT TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
54%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 59%
Employees
21

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 65% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    54% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $1.1 million spent. YOUTH SERVICES THE INSTITUTE IS REGULARLY VISITED BY LOCAL SCHOOL GROUPS AND RESIDENTS FROM THE LOCAL AREA. OVER 12,0000 SCHOOL RESIDENTS FROM ALABAMA VISITED THE INSTITUTE DURING 2019-2020. OVER 300 YOUTH HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE INSTITUTES AWARD WINNING AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, BIRMINGHAM CULTURAL ALLIANCE PARTNERSHIP BCAP.
  2. $353,818 spent. EXHIBITS THE INSTITUTE IS A PLACE FOR HERITAGE TOURISM AND A CENTER FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THE PERMANENT EXHIBIT HAS BEEN VISITED BY OVER 4 MILLION VISITORS SINCE THE iNSTITUTE OPENED IN 1992. THE INSTITUTE HAS TWO CHANGING EXHIBIT GALLERIES THAT HIGHLIGHT HUMAN RIGHT ISSUES OF THE CURRENT TIME PERIOD. VISITORS HAVE ACCESS TO ALL OF THE GALLERIES DURING THEIR PAID TOURS. OVERALL ATTENDANCE FOR THE INSTITUTE EXCEEDS 140,000 ANNUALLY.
  3. $123,067 spent. OUTREACH TO PROVIDE FREE EDUCATIONAL PROGRMS TO K-12 STUDENTS THAT INTRODUCE AND EXPLORE THE LESSONS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS. MOST OF BCRIS OUTREACH PROGRAMS WERE HELD AT THE INSTITUTE OR AT SCHOOLS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY. NEARLY 1,400 YOUTH AND PARENTS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN BCRIS AFTER SCHOOL AND LITERACY PROGRAMS. THIS INCLUDES BOTH ON AND OFF-SITE ACTIVITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 2024.

    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 June 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 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.