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Memphis Challenge Inc

EIN 62-1400107 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE GOAL OF MEMPHIS CHALLENGE IS TO ENSURE THE REGION'S MOST TALENTED MINORITY STUDENTS BRING THEIR EDUCATION, EXPERTISE, AND CONNECTIONS BACK TO MEMPHIS.

Income
$375,484
Spending
$360,362
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
3
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$131,905, executive 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: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Fair: 66 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $256,444 spent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
  2. $120 spent. SOLE (SUMMER ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIENCE) IS A VIRTUAL MATH ACADEMY THAT IS OFFERED FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 3-12 DURING THE SUMMER TO COMBAT SUMMER SLIDE (LEARNING LOSS). SOLE IS POWERED THRU ALEK SOFTWARE. MEMPHIS CHALLENGE OFFERS WEEKLY PARENT UPDATES AND IS BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATH) ENTHUSIASTS (155 PERSONS BENEFITED).

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 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 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 March 1990.

    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.