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National Storytelling Association

EIN 62-1014756 · Jonesborough, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CREATIVELY APPLY THE POWER OF STORYTELLING TO ENRICH THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE BY ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN TODAY'S SOCIETY AND TO INFUSE STORYTELLING INTO THE MAINSTREAM OF SOCIETY-BUILDING PUBLIC AWARENESS, GREATER CREDIBILITY, AND WIDER AUDIENCES FOR STORYTELLING AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Income
$982,394
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
8.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
22
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$76,868, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 39% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 December 31, 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. $917,299 spent. THE ANNUAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL WHICH FEATURES PERFORMANCES AND CONCERTS FROM A VARIETY OF FEATURED STORYTELLERS. HISTORICALLY, THE ANNUAL EVENT IS HELD IN HISTORIC JONESBOROUGH, TENNESSEE. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THIS EVENT WAS CONVERTED TO A ONLINE EVENT WITH LIVE STREAMING. THE ANNUAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL WAS TO BE HELD IN OCTOBER OF 2024 BUT WAS CANCELLED DUE TO THE DEVASTATION AND DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY HURRICANE HELENE THAT HIT THE REGION IN LATE SEPTEMBER OF 2024.
  2. $19,302 spent. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF STORYTELLING PROGRAMS, PROJECTS AND TEACHING AIDS.
  3. $49,646 spent. STORYTELLING LIVE PROGRAM FEATURING STORYTELLERS PERFORMING CONCERTS AT THE STORYTELLING CENTER IN HISTORIC JONESBOROUGH, TENNESSEE. THE STORYTELLING LIVE PROGRAM WAS A LIVE IN-PERSON PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM DID ENTAIL ONE VIRTUAL STREAMING EVENT EACH WEEK FOR THOSE UNABLE TO TRAVEL.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 May 1979.

    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.