Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The National Museum of African American Music

EIN 62-1867910 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC'S MISSION IS TO EDUCATE THE WORLD, PRESERVE THE LEGACY, AND CELEBRATE THE CENTRAL ROLE AFRICAN AMERICANS PLAY IN CREATING THE AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK.

Income
$7.8 million
Spending
$9.7 million
Spent on programs
51%
Reserves
24.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 44%
Employees
55
Volunteers
83
Highest pay
$293,129, president & ceo (end 12/24)

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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 24.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    51% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 31 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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 (1)
  1. $5.0 million spent. FISK JUBILEE SINGERS TRAVELING EXHIBIT ON MAY 10, 2025, THE GROUNDBREAKING TRAVELING EXHIBITION "CELEBRATING THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS' SACRED JOURNEY," OPENED AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC. NASHVILLE IS THE INAUGURAL HOST SITE FOR THE 2,500 SQUARE-FOOT INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE, WHICH TELLS THE REMARKABLE STORY OF HOW A GROUP OF STUDENT PERFORMERS FROM NASHVILLE'S FISK UNIVERSITY TRANSFORMED AMERICAN MUSIC AND SOCIETY IN THE LATE 1800S. THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH HBCUS, AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCHES, AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST, NMAAM SECURED COMMITMENTS FOR THE EXHIBIT TO REACH MILLIONS OF VISITORS OVER ITS MULTI-YEAR TOUR. THE PROJECT EXEMPLIFIES NMAAM'S MISSION IN ACTION PRESERVING AND CELEBRATING AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSICAL HERITAGE WHILE CREATING EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES THAT WILL INSPIRE NEW GENERATIONS TO APPRECIATE THE ENDURING IMPACT OF THESE PIONEERING PERFORMERS.FROM NOTHING TO SOMETHING (FN2S) IS DESIGNED TO ENGAGE YOUTH IN THE MUSICAL AND LYRICAL CONSTRUCTION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSICAL TRADITIONS AND HELP THEM UNDERSTAND SOCIETAL FACTORS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED THE CREATION AND INNOVATION OF MUSIC BY AFRICAN AMERICANS. THROUGH FN2S, STUDENTS CONNECT THE INSTRUMENT TO GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS, CULTURAL ORIGINS, AND THE CONDITIONS OF HOW THE INSTRUMENT WAS USED IN AMERICA USING EVERYDAY OBJECTS SUCH AS SPOONS AND CIGAR BOXES TO CREATE HARMONIZING MELODIES.INTERLUDES CAMP IS A 5-DAY PROGRAM THAT TAKES PLACE AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC DURING FALL, WINTER, SPRING, AND SUMMER BREAKS. THE PROGRAM ALLOWS STUDENTS FROM TITLE 1 SCHOOLS TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN THE RICH WORLD OF MUSIC PRODUCTION WHILE MAINTAINING ACADEMIC MOMENTUM. BEYOND MUSIC INSTRUCTION, STUDENTS BECOME PRODUCERS, CURATORS, AND PERFORMERS OF THEIR OWN MUSICAL STORY. NMAAM'S RIVERS OF RHYTHM INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL EDUCATION (RRISE) CONTINUES TO PROVIDE A SPACE FOR EDUCATORS THROUGH A HYBRID IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL FORMAT THAT MAKES THE PROGRAM ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. EDUCATORS LEARNED HOW TO INFUSE CLASSROOM EXPERIENCES WITH ENGAGING STORIES AND TOOLS THAT TEACH CORE CURRICULUM WHILE EXPANDING HOW THEY AND THEIR STUDENTS VIEW EVERYDAY LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS AND IMPACT.

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 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 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 March 2002.

    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.