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Opera Memphis Inc

EIN 62-0785544 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF OPERA MEMPHIS IS TO ENTERTAIN AND INSPIRE THE PEOPLE OF MEMPHIS AND THE MID-SOUTH THROUGH THE ART OF OPERA.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
31 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
10
Volunteers
72
Highest pay
$118,134, general director

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 31.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

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

  • 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, 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. $1.2 million spent. OUR MASTERWORKS PRODUCTIONS FOCUS ON WORKS FROM THE TRADITIONAL OPERATIC CANON. THEY FEATURE WORLD-CLASS PERFORMERS, THE MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, AND OTHER LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS.OUR KEYNOTE PROGRAM IS 30 DAYS OF OPERA, A MONTH-LONG EVENT THAT INTRODUCES OPERA INTO THE EVERYDAY ROUTINES OF MEMPHIANS. EACH SEASON, #30DAYS PRESENTS OVER 50 FREE EVENTS IN OVER 40 LOCATIONS, REACHING AN AVERAGE OF OVER 30,000 INDIVIDUALS, WITH PERFORMANCES IN EVERY ZIP CODE IN MEMPHIS.WE ALSO OFFER A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WHICH IN PRE-PANDEMIC YEARS REACHED OVER 17,000 CHILDREN AND ADULTS ANNUALLY. THESE ACTIVITIES, WHICH ARE SLOWLY BEING RESTORED POST-PANDEMIC INCLUDE PERFORMANCES AT MORE THAN 100 LOCAL SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. THE HANDORF COMPANY ARTIST PROGRAM PROVIDES CAREER-BUILDING EXPERIENCES TO EMERGING SINGERS THROUGH ROBUST PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES AND PERSONALIZED GOALS WHILE PROVIDING THE TOOLS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET NECESSARY FOR CITIZEN-ARTISTS TO CHAMPION OPERA IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

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 January 1958.

    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.