Memphis Restaurant Association
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE MEMPHIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION (MRA) IS THE PREMIERE SUPPORT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE SUCESS OF OUR INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE. WE PROVIDE USEFUL, ACCESSIBLE TOOLS, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND GOVERNMENTAL REPRESENTATION TO PROMOTE THE STABILITY AND GROWTH OF OUR MEMBERS. THE MRA IS DEDICATED TO BUILDING COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS AND INVOLVEMENT IN ORDER TO INCREASE MEMBERSHIP AND CREATE A SPIRIT OF FELLOWSHIP AMOUNG ITS MEMBERS.
- Income
- $71,466
- Spending
- $63,222
- Highest pay
- $23,375, staff
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- THE MEMPHIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION (MRA) CONTINUED ITS MISSION IN 2025 AS THE LEADING SUPPORT ORGANIZATION FOR THE MEMPHIS HOSPITALITY COMMUNITY. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE REMAINED DEDICATED TO PROVIDING IMPACTFUL TOOLS, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND CONNECTION TO STRENGTHEN OUR MEMBERS AND ELEVATE THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY ACROSS THE MID-SOUTH. OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING COLLABORATION, ADVANCING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND CHAMPIONING LOCAL OPERATORS WAS REFLECTED IN EVERY PROGRAM, MEETING, AND EVENT WE HOSTED. IN 2025, OUR BOARD MET REGULARLY FOR IN-PERSON MEETINGS AND STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSIONS FOCUSED ON MEMBERSHIP GROWTH, LEGISLATIVE UPDATES, AND EXPANDING THE VALUE OF MRA PROGRAMMING. WE CONTINUED TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATION WITH OUR MEMBERS THROUGH CONSISTENT EMAIL UPDATES, SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH, AND TARGETED MESSAGING THAT ENSURED OPERATORS REMAINED INFORMED ABOUT REGULATORY CHANGES, INDUSTRY TRENDS, AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES. THIS YEAR, MRA INTRODUCED OR ENHANCED SEVERAL KEY INITIATIVES TO BETTER SUPPORT OUR MEMBERS. WE EXPANDED OUR MEMBERSHIP MONDAY OUTREACH TO HIGHLIGHT RESTAURANTS, SHARE OPERATOR STORIES, AND ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. WE STRENGTHENED OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS KEMMONS WILSON SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY & RESORT MANAGEMENT, WELCOME TO MEMPHIS, TNHTA, AND THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF MEMPHISTO SUPPORT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. WE ALSO INCREASED OUR PRESENCE AT COMMUNITY EVENTS SUCH AS 901 DAY, ZOO RENDEZVOUS, AND LOCAL HOSPITALITY GATHERINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. OUR IN-PERSON NETWORKING EVENTS CONTINUED TO GROW, INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATE COFFEE CLUB, WHICH ROTATED THROUGH MEMBER LOCATIONS AND ENCOURAGED VALUABLE CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN OPERATORS, VENDORS, AND HOSPITALITY PROFESSIONALS. MEMBER ENGAGEMENT REMAINED STRONG, SUPPORTED BY TRANSPARENT COMMUNICATION, ACCESSIBLE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, AND A CONTINUED FOCUS ON ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION. ADDITIONALLY, 2025 INCLUDED THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF OUR SIGNATURE EVENTS, INCLUDING EARLY PLANNING FOR THE 2026 MRA FOOD FESTIVAL, WHICH WILL CELEBRATE MEMPHIS THROUGH A VIBRANT AND IMMERSIVE CULINARY EXPERIENCE. THIS LONG-TERM VISION REFLECTS OUR DEDICATION TO INNOVATION, HOSPITALITY EXCELLENCE, AND MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBER INVOLVEMENT AND VISIBILITY. THROUGHOUT 2025, MRA REMAINED RESPONSIVE TO THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY. WE PROVIDED TIMELY UPDATES AND GUIDANCE ON EVOLVING REGULATIONS, INCLUDING HEALTH DEPARTMENT POLICIES, BEVERAGE LAWS TAKING EFFECT IN 2026, AND WORKFORCE-RELATED LEGISLATION. OUR GOAL REMAINED CONSISTENT: TO ENSURE EVERY MEMBER HAS THE SUPPORT, REPRESENTATION, AND INFORMATION NEEDED TO THRIVE IN A COMPETITIVE AND EVER-CHANGING ENVIRONMENT.
- THE ANNUAL THOMAS BOGGS MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT ONCE AGAIN PROVED TO BE A HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR, SELLING OUT WITH A FULL ROSTER OF TEAMS, SPONSORS, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS. THE EVENT NOT ONLY HONORED THE LEGACY OF THOMAS BOGGS BUT ALSO SERVED AS ONE OF OUR MOST SUCCESSFUL NETWORKING AND FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.
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 October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 December 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 September 1994.
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 October 21, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: National Restaurant Association (Washington, DC), EIN 36-1525480. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.