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Morris Museum of Art

EIN 58-6189260 · Augusta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MORRIS MUSEUM OF ART EXISTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF COLLECTING AND EXHIBITING THE ART OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH AND INTERPRETING IT IN REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND GLOBAL CONTEXTS. IT IS DEDICATED TO ENCOURAGING ARTISTIC INQUIRY, PROVIDING A RICH VISITOR EXPERIENCE, AND EXERCISING CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY. ITS AIM IS THE ENRICHMENT OF THE PUBLIC AND THE BETTERMENT OF AUGUSTA.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 68%
Employees
25
Volunteers
118
Highest pay
$121,540, director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 79% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $569,527 spent. EDUCATIONSCHOOL PROGRAMS: THE MUSEUM OFFERS VARIOUS PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, AND PARENTS, INCLUDING SCHOOL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES, TEACHER PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES, STUDENT EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES, WORKSHOPS, AND FAMILY PROGRAMS.ADULT PROGRAMS: THE MUSEUM HOSTS NUMEROUS EDUCATIONAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAMS: CONNECTIONS IS A SPECIALLY DESIGNED EXPERIENCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE OR RELATED DEMENTIA, AND THEIR CAREGIVERS. PRESENTED ON A BY-REQUEST BASIS, THIS FREE PROGRAM INCLUDES A GALLERY TALK WITH A TRAINED DOCENT AND AN ART PROJECT. CONNECTIONS PROVIDES PARTICIPANTS A RELAXING, NONTHREATENING MUSEUM EXPERIENCE THAT ACCOMMODATES INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND LEARNING STYLES. DOCENTS: VOLUNTEER DOCENTS LEAD TOURS, ASSIST WITH SPECIAL EVENTS, GREET MUSEUM GUESTS, AND PARTICIPATE IN CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES. DOCENT VOLUNTEERS ENJOY MEETING STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND ENGAGING MUSEUM VISITORS IN LEARNING EXPERIENCES THROUGH THE VISUAL ARTS. DOCENT TRAINING IS AN INTENSIVE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DOCENT CANDIDATES WITH THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE TO LEAD INTERPRETIVE TOURS. THE TRAINING IS ORGANIZED INTO DISCRETE MODULES INCORPORATED INTO A THIRTEEN-WEEK COURSE.INTERNSHIPS: THE MORRIS MUSEUM OF ART OFFERS UNDERGRADUATE INTERNSHIPS IN MUSEUM EDUCATION TO STUDENTS ENROLLED IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
  2. $215,620 spent. LIBRARYTHE MUSEUM HOUSES THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SOUTHERN ART, A REFERENCE AND RESEARCH LIBRARY THAT INCLUDES ARCHIVES PERTAINING TO ARTISTS WORKING IN THE SOUTH.
  3. $378,314 spent. EXHIBITIONSTHE MORRIS MUSEUM OF ART IS THE FIRST MUSEUM DEDICATED TO THE ART AND ARTISTS OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH. THE COLLECTION INCLUDES HOLDINGS OF NEARLY 5,000 PAINTINGS, WORKS ON PAPER, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND SCULPTURES DATING FROM THE LATE-EIGHTEENTH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT. IN ADDITION TO THE PERMANENT COLLECTION GALLERIES, THE MUSEUM HOSTS 20 TEMPORARY SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS EVERY YEAR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 December 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 October 1985.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Museum of Modern Art (New York, NY), EIN 13-1624100. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.