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Hunter Museum of Art

EIN 62-0511893 · Chattanooga, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Hunter Museum of American Art collects, preserves, and presents American art and connects the community through inspiring educational and visitor-focused experiences for all.

Income
$6.1 million
Spending
$6.2 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
26.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 45%
Employees
96
Volunteers
129
Highest pay
$246,091, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    27 of 27 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 May 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. $1.9 million spent. Welcoming more than 60,000 guests annually, the Hunter Museum of American Art has served for 70 years as a cultural center of the community, presenting significant exhibitions and programs, hosting numerous events and gatherings serving as an important draw for tourists and for businesses considering moving to the region and providing a safe space for contemplation and dialogue. Committed to welcoming all people, the Hunter is very intentional about including under-represented artists and audiences in both the artwork it presents and the visitors and communities it engages. The Hunter Museum has been continuously accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1982.
  2. $1.9 million spent. The Hunters permanent collection includes nearly 3,000 works of American art, all of which are accessible through the museums website, spanning the early 1700s to today, presented across 20 galleries within the museum. The museums three strategic collecting priorities are works by female artists, both historic and contemporary, works by artists of color, both historic and contemporary, and technology-based works, including photography, video, and new media. Making artwork available outside the walls of the museum, the Hunter has over 20 sculptures installed throughout the city and regularly loans artwork to other institutions around the country, furthering the museums accessibility to a wider audience. The museum presents 4 to 6 special exhibitions each year, many of which are organized internally. Accompanying the artwork on display are multiple interactive spaces, offering guests the opportunity to become creators themselves.
  3. $307,636 spent. The museum is a leader in youth and adult educational experiences, partnering with area organizations and community members to create customized experiences for a range of audiences, such as Black professionals, teenagers, Title 1 school students, Spanish speaking students and adults, area educators, and prison inmates. Public programs engage with community issues and many feature BIPOC creatives and local leaders, all paid for their participation. Recognizing that affordability can be a barrier to access, the museum offers free admission for youth 17 and under, military families, and social service groups, multiple free programs, and free admission on the first Thursday afternoon of every month. A partnership with Museums for All offers EBT cardholders and their guests deeply discounted admission year-round. Fully ADA compliant, the museum has developed hands-on tools to offer additional avenues of access for low vision guests and those on the autism spectrum and continually seeks to meet audiences where they are.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 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 May 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 March 1988.

    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.