Rivercity Company
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE RIVERCITY COMPANY'S MISSION IS TO ASSIST AND SUPPORT THE CHATTANOOGA CITY AND HAMILTON COUNTY GOVERNMENTS BY PROMOTING AND MANAGING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A VIBRANT, ATTRACTIVE AND HEALTHY DOWNTOWN THAT IS THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CENTERPIECE OF THE CHATTANOOGA REGION. THE RIVERCITY COMPANY ACCOMPLISHES THIS BY OVERSEEING DEVELOPMENT OF DOWNTOWN REAL ESTATE, MAKING AND PROGRAMMING GREAT URBAN SPACES, AND EMPLOYING CREATIVE URBAN DESIGN. ITS PRIMARY STRATEGIC AREAS FOR PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES ARE: (I) CONTINUING THE ONE RIVERFRONT PLAN IN THE RIVERFRONT DISTRICT, (II) REINVIGORATING THE HISTORIC COMMERCIAL CORE IN THE CITY CENTER DISTRICT, AND (III) BRINGING MORE RESIDENTS TO ALL AREAS OF DOWNTOWN THROUGH CATALYZING A FULL RANGE OF DOWNTOWN HOUSING.
- Income
- $6.2 million
- Spending
- $2.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 43.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 52%
- Employees
- 26
- Volunteers
- 170
- Highest pay
- $261,378, president
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 43.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 53% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 190% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 20 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $1.4 million spent. EVOLVING OUR RIVERFRONT PARKS: THE FIRST PHASE OF THE ONE RIVERFRONT PLAN THROUGH COMMUNITY INPUT SEES THE FOUNDATION OF THE ONE RIVERFRONT PLAN IS TO HUMANIZE THE PARKS AND GREEN SPACE ON THE RIVERFRONT. BUILDING UPON THE LEGACY AND DESIGN OF THE 21ST CENTURY WATERFRONT, WE WILL EVOLVE AND ENHANCE OUR RIVERFRONT PARKS FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO EXPERIENCE AND ENJOY BEAUTIFUL, COMFORTABLE AND EXCITING PARK SPACES. THE "EVOLVING OUR RIVERFRONT PARKS" PLAN IS A SERIES OF ENHANCEMENTS THAT WILL HONOR HISTORY, CONNECT CORRIDORS IN THE DISTRICT, EMBRACE ECOLOGY, SOFTEN AND PROVIDE SHADE, ALONG WITH USING THE INSPIRATION OF A SOUTHERN PORCH FOR AREAS ALONG THE RIVER.
- $182,480 spent. FUTURE OF HAWK HILL: WITH THE ANTICIPATED RELOCATION OF THE CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS BASEBALL TEAM FROM AT&T FIELD TO THE U.S. PIPE & WHELAND FOUNDRY SITE, HAWK HILL WILL BECOME AVAILABLE FOR REDEVELOPMENT. PER THE LAND TRANSFER AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF CHATTANOOGA ONCE THE CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS HAVE RELOCATED TO THE NEW STADIUM. RIVERCITY COMPANY ALONG WITH THE CITY, COMMUNITY INPUT, URBAN PLANNERS AND DOWNTOWN STAKEHOLDERS TO ASSIST IN DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE, LONG-TERM VISION FOR THE SITE TO GUIDE FUTURE REDEVELOPMENT. WITH THIS INFORMATION, RIVERCITY COMPANY WILL EXPLORE POTENTIAL LAND USES, DENSITY, PUBLIC SPACES, CONNECTIVITY, AND THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT FUTURE REDEVELOPMENT.
- $81,609 spent. EMERGING PRODUCERS: RIVERCITY HAS DEVELOPED A PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS PRODUCING EVENTS IN DOWNTOWN IN CHATTANOOGA. THE EMERGING PRODUCERS PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND HANDS-ON TRAINING TO THOSE WITH 2 YEARS OR LESS OF EXPERIENCE. THE PROGRAM TEACHES A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS FROM PERMITS, INSURANCE TO SAFETY ALONG WITH HOW TO CREATE PARTNERSHIPS, MARKETING AND CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT FOR EVENT PRODUCTION. THE LAST SIX MONTHS OF THE PROGRAM ALLOWS EACH COHORT MEMBER TO TAKE THE LEAD ON PRODUCING AN EVENT IN DOWNTOWN WITH THE OTHER COHORT MEMBERS IN THE PROGRAM SUPPORTING THE WORK.
- $761,319 spent. DOWNTOWN ANIMATION: RIVERCITY BUILT OFF THE SUCCESS OF DOWNTOWN ANIMATION FROM THE PAST TWO YEARS WITH A ROBUST CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS FOR 2024/2025. EVENTS AND PROGRAMS INCLUDES; NOONTUNES, ICE CREAM CRAWL, SUMMERWEEN, TAKE A BREAK IN MILLER PARK AND REINDEER ON THE RIVERFRONT.GRATEFULL: GRATEFULL IS FREE AND ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN TOGETHER FOR A THANKSGIVING MEAL IN THE MIDDLE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD. THERE IS NO FEE, NO EXPECTATIONS, AND NO AGENDA JUST AN OPEN INVITATION FOR ALL TO GATHER IN THE CITY FOR A TIME OF THANKSGIVING AND GRATEFULNESS.BEAUTIFICATION: RIVERCITY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC ART, INSTALLED NEW BANNERS FOR THE CITY CENTER DISTRICT. RIVERCITY ALSO MANAGES THE SNOWFLAKE LIGHTING DURING THE HOLIDAYS TO HELP WITH BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS DOWNTOWN.SPORT SPOT: RIVERCITY INSTALLED A TEMPORARY POP UP RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCE UNDER THE OLGIATIE BRIDGE ON THE RIVERFRONT IN DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA. THE PURPOSE WAS TO TEST CONCEPTS FROM THE "EVOLVING OUR RIVERFRONT PARKS" PLANNING PROCESS AND TO GATHER REAL TIME FEEDBACK FROM USERS. FOUR DIFFERENT PUBLIC PLAY SPACES WERE AVAILABLE; PUMP TRACK COURSE, ROLLER SKATING RINK, PICKLEBALL COURT AND BASKETBALL COURT.REIMAGINE BROAD STREET: RIVERCITY ALONG WITH THE CITY EMBARKED ON A COMPREHENSIVE AND VISIONARY PLAN FOR BROAD STREET IN DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA. THE PLAN IS A DETAILED BLOCK-BY-BLOCK URBAN DESIGN ANALYSIS THAT WILL ADDRESS THE PUBLIC REALM IMPROVEMENTS, MULTI- MODAL TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENTS, INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, PARKING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, ALL WHILE SUPPORTING EXISTING BUSINESSES AND URBAN RESIDENTS.PUBLIC SAFETY: IN RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SEEKING REGULAR OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHARING, RIVERCITY COMPANY, THE DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA ALLIANCE, CHATTANOOGA TOURISM COMPANY AND THE CHATTANOOGA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAVE PARTNERED TO ESTABLISH QUARTERLY PUBLIC MEETINGS. THE MEETINGS INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HOST ORGANIZATIONS ALONG WITH THE CHATTANOOGA POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CITY OF CHATTANOOGA TO SHARE ABOUT PROJECTS, PLANS AND WAYS FOR LOCALS TO STAY INFORMED. IT IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK. MILLER PLAZA: MILLER PLAZA IS AN URBAN PUBLIC PARK CONSTRUCTED ALMOST THREE DECADES AGO IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA; IT WAS BUILT BOTH TO PROVIDE A MODEL OF GOOD URBAN DESIGN FOR "ACTIVE PARK USE", AND TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR AN ENORMOUS VARIETY OF ANIMATING ACTIVITIES FOR DOWNTOWN. WHEN IT WAS CONSTRUCTED, DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA WAS SLIDING DOWNHILL WITH ABANDONED RETAIL STORES, CLOSED MOVIE THEATERS, OFFICES AND RESIDENCES RELOCATING TO OUTLYING SUBURBAN AREAS, AND A VACUUM OF ATTRACTIVE ACTIVITY AND ANIMATION, ESPECIALLY AFTER WORK HOURS ENDED. MILLER PLAZA WAS THE FIRST BEACON FOR THE REVIVAL OF DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA, AND MILLER PLAZA NOW SERVES AS THE HOME FOR THREE RESTAURANTS AND ONE RETAIL SHOP, SEASONAL FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT SERIES FROM MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY, AND A VENUE FOR MANY DOZENS OF CIVIC GATHERINGS AND ACTIVITIES. MILLER PLAZA IS OWNED TY THE RIVERCITY COMPANY AND IT CONTINUES TO PROVIDE THE SOCIAL ANCHOR FOR EVENTS AND ANIMATION WITHIN THE CITY CENTER DISTRICT OF DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1987.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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