Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To Create Joy through the Power of Art.
- Income
- $40.0 million
- Spending
- $7.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 59%
- Reserves
- -181.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
- Employees
- 86
- Volunteers
- 101
- Highest pay
- $417,862, exective director
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: 58 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 82% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1559% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2537 of 37 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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 (3)
- $3.4 million spent. In 2025, the museum advanced its mission to inspire and serve the community through art, education, and cultural engagement. Education programs reached over 20,000 school-age students, with record participation in the Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards, awarding more than $388,000 in scholarships. Community Days, Super Saturdays, and Homeschool Days welcomed thousands of families and first-time visitors, expanding access to the arts for all ages. Continued on Schedule O The museum launched the Youth Council, offering high school students hands-on leadership and curatorial experience, and celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Docent Program with the graduation of its first public tour docents. The museum presented the Hooks Brothers Studio archive in Seoul, South Korea, marking the Global Council's first international cultural exchange. The institution also received multiple Awards of Excellence from the Tennessee Association of Museums, recognizing outstanding programs, publications, and community partnerships. Through exhibitions, partnerships, and inclusive programming, the museum strengthened its role as a vital cultural resource and community gathering place.
- $895,572 spent. PUBLIC EDUCATION SERVICES - EXPENDITURES FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING, DOCENT-LEAD TOURS AND OUTREACH ART CURRICULUM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 20,000 PEOPLE SERVED.
- $74,483 spent. MEMBERSHIP SERVICES - EXPENDITURES IN SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MUSEUM'S 3,600 MEMBERS.
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 October 13, 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 September 1966.
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.
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.