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Contemporary Performing Arts of Chattanooga Inc

EIN 58-1978586 · Chattanooga, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BARKING LEGS' MISSION IS TO ENHANCE THE COMMUNITY BY CULTIVATING AND MENTORING DIVERSE ARTISTS, PRESENTERS, AND AUDIENCES IN AN ECLECTIC, CREATIVE ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$205,897
Spending
$214,884
Spent on programs
54%
Reserves
10 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 68%
Employees
1
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$1,200, secretary

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: 74 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    54% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $116,927 spent. AT COPAC, WE PRIORITIZE ENGAGING UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE PERFORMING ARTS. WE HAVE CULTIVATED PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS THAT REPRESENT UNDERSERVED ARTISTS AND COMMUNITITES TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE RENTAL AND REHEARSAL SPACE FOR THEM TO PRESENT NEW AND ORIGINAL WORKS. THROUGH PROVIDING THE VENUE AT LOW COST, WE SUPPORT THEIR WORK AND LEND THEM SPACE FOR UNCENSORED CREATIVE EXPRESSION, COLLABORATE ON NEW IDEAS AND OFFER FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY, ALLOWING THEM TO P RODUCE THEIR SHOWS WITHOUT FEAR OF EXCESSIVE LOSS. ADDITIONALLY, WE CURATED CHATTANOOGA'S 2ND ANNUAL FRINGE FESTIVAL, WHICH SHOWCASED BOTH LOCAL AND NATIONAL TALENT.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 March 1992.

    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.