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Memphis River Parks Partnership Inc

EIN 62-1811726 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MEMPHIS RIVER PARKS PARTNERSHIP WORKS WITH AND FOR THE PEOPLE OF MEMPHIS TO TRIGGER THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF OUR RIVER. THE PARTNERSHIP MANAGES, MAINTAINS, OPERATES, AND ACTIVATES FIVE CONNECTED RIVERFRONT PARK DISTRICTS OF 250 ACRES OF PARKLAND. BUILDING FROM THE MEMPHIS RIVERFRONT CONCEPT, THE PARTNERSHIP WORKS TO CREATE A CONNECTED, CATALYTIC, AND FUN RIVERFRONT FOR EVERYONE.

Income
$10.8 million
Spending
$11.4 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 52%
Employees
50
Volunteers
139
Highest pay
$268,373, former 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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 94% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 100% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

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

  • 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 (3)
  1. $8.1 million spent. MANAGED CITY OF MEMPHIS RIVERFRONT PARKS UNDER CONTRACT FROM CITY OF MEMPHIS
  2. $195,712 spent. MUD ISLAND WAS OPEN TO ALL FOR FREE ENTRY AS A PUBLIC PARK. VISITORS EXPLORED THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM, THE RIVER WALK AND THE NEW MEMPHIS SIGN. REGULAR PROGRAMS INCLUDED FREE CONCERTS AND FULL MOON KAYAKING.
  3. $1.3 million spent. MAINTENANCE, UTILITIES, LANDSCAPING AND GENERAL OPERATIONS OF BEALE STREET LANDING

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 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 June 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 July 2000.

    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.