Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 19% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
MMFA PROVIDES EXPERIENCES CENTERED ON HUMAN CREATIVITY.
- Income
- $1.6 million
- Spending
- $931,703
- Spent on programs
- 19%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 45%
- Employees
- 40
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $102,182, head of association finance
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1519% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 2527 of 27 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 September 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)
- $64,896 spent. FY2024-25 | MMFA LEARNING + PROGRAMS IN THE PAST YEAR, THE L+P DEPARTMENT HAS CREATED AND LED 400+ PROGRAMS, TOURS, WORKSHOPS, AND EVENTS IN THE MUSEUM AND COMMUNITY, WITH 8,496 PARTICIPANTS FOR PROGRAMS AND 3,696 FOR TOURS. EVERY PROGRAM INCORPORATES INCLUSIVE ASPECTS FOR PHYSICAL AND SENSORY NEEDS. FROM NOVEMBER 2023 TO DECEMBER 2026, ALL MMFA PUBLIC PROGRAMS WILL BE FREE TO THE PUBLIC BECAUSE OF THE ART BRIDGES ACCESS FOR ALL GRANT, WHICH TOTALS $280,000. THE L+P DEPARTMENT WROTE AND MANAGED THIS GRANT. DR.A.W., DROP-IN ARTMAKING WORKSHOP, IS A NEW FREE PROGRAM ADDED TO THE ARTWORKS INTERACTIVE GALLERY. DURING THE FALL, WINTER, AND SUMMER HOLIDAYS, VISITORS CAN CREATE ART INSPIRED BY THE PERMANENT COLLECTION AND TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS. IN FALL 2024, WE ADDED THE INFANT-FOCUSED ART PROGRAM, ART CRAWL. PARTNERING WITH CLYFFORD STILL MUSEUM, WHERE THE PROGRAM ORIGINATED, ART CRAWL IS AN UPLIFTING OPPORTUNITY FOR INFANTS TO HAVE A MEANINGFUL FORMATIVE EXPERIENCE WITH ART. BOTH PARENTS AND CARETAKERS WILL BE A PART OF THIS JOURNEY AND LEARN WITH THEIR CHILDREN. ART CRAWL FEATURES AN ARRAY OF THEMES FOR EACH CLASS, RANGING FROM COLOR THEORY TO SHAPES AND TEXTURE. IN WINTER OF 2025, WE EXPANDED FAMILY PROGRAMS BY ADDING THE MINI MAKERS PROGRAM, WHICH CONTINUES THE ARTCRAWL FORMAT BUT SERVES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN 2 TO 5 YEARS OLD. EACH PROGRAM IS PLANNED WITH GOALS, TARGET AUDIENCES, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT THE FOREFRONT. ARTWORKS INTERACTIVE GALLERY IS THE #1 REASON FOR VISITING THE MMFA, WITH APPROXIMATELY 60% OF VISITORS STATING IT IS THE REASON FOR THEIR VISIT. A DEDICATED SENSORY ROOM HAS BEEN ADDED NEAR THE ARTWORKS INTERACTIVE GALLERY. THIS AREA PROVIDES AN INCLUSIVE, SENSORY-FRIENDLY SPACE FOR ALL VISITORS DURING THEIR MUSEUM VISIT. ARTED CENTRAL, A MONTHLY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR ALL PUBLIC, PRIVATE, OR RETIRED EDUCATORS AND ARTISTS, SUPPORTS EDUCATORS. EACH MONTH, TEACHERS SHARE LESSON PLANS AND TECHNIQUES FOR USE IN THEIR CLASSROOMS. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO GROW AND EXPAND THE VISITOR SERVICE PROGRAM AT MMFA TO PROVIDE AN INVALUABLE SERVICE TO THE MUSEUM AND THE PUBLIC. OUR VISITOR SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES CREATE A POSITIVE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL VISITORS WHILE OFFERING INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE THROUGHOUT THE GUEST INTERACTION WITH MMFA.
- $6,434 spent. PERMANENT COLLECTION ACQUISITIONSTHE MONTGOMERY MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS IS THE PREMIER ART COLLECTING INSTITUTION IN CENTRAL ALABAMA, SERVING THE TRI-COUNTY RIVER REGION BY EXHIBITING ITS COLLECTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. THE COLLECTION FOCUSES PRIMARILY ON AMERICAN ART, HOWEVER SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONS IN OTHER COLLECTING AREAS ARE IMPORTANT TO DEVELOPING THE COLLECTIONS, NOW NUMBERING MORE THAN 4,000 OBJECTS. IN FY 2024-2025, THE MUSEUM ACQUIRED THE FOLLOWING WORKS OF ART: JOHN BANKSTON (AMERICAN, BORN 1963), COVER UP, 2013, ACRYLIC ON LINEN, GIFT OF REBECCA AND JACK DRAKE, 2024.3.1 HARRISON BEGAY (AMERICAN, 1914/1917-2012), CLOUD SYMBOL DANCER DURING MOUNTAIN CHANT CEREMONY, ABOUT 1995, ACRYLIC, GOUACHE, AND INK ON PAPER, GIFT OF REBECCA AND JACK DRAKE, 2024.3.2, TIM DENNY (AMERICAN, BORN 1957), TAKING THE SHORT CUT ACROSS THE CONJURER'S PASTURE, ACRYLIC, COLOR PENCIL, AND OIL CRAYON ON PAPER, GIFT OF REBECCA AND JACK DRAKE, 2024.3.3, JEAN DEWASNE (FRENCH, 1921-1999), COMPOSITION, ABOUT 1970, GOUACHE ON PAPERBOARD, GIFT OF REBECCA AND JACK DRAKE, 2024.3.4, THORNTON DIAL, SR. (AMERICAN, 1928-2016), JOY RIDE, ABOUT 1990, WATERCOLOR AND PASTEL ON PAPER, GIFT OF REBECCA AND JACK DRAKE, 2024.3.5, THORNTON DIAL, SR. (AMERICAN, 1928-2016), LIFE FORM, ABOUT 1990, GOUACHE, ACRYLIC, AND GRAPHITE ON HANDMADE PAPER, GIFT OF REBECCA AND JACK DRAKE, 2024.3.6, THORNTON DIAL, SR. (AMERICAN, 1928-2016), SLAVE SHIP, DATE UNKNOWN, PASTEL AND INK ON PAPER, GIFT OF REBECCA AND JACK DRAKE, 2024.3.7, EL FRANCO LEE II (AMERICAN, BORN 1979), EVOLUTION OF A BLACK MAN, 2015, ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, , GIFT OF REBECCA AND JACK DRAKE, 2024.3.8, JERIMIAH SMITH (AMERICAN, BORN 1985), KEITH, 2019, FROM THE SERIES FINDING FAITH, DIGITAL INKJET PRINT ON PAPER, , GIFT OF REBECCA AND JACK DRAKE, 2024.3.9, STEVEN TOWNS (AMERICAN, BORN 1980), I WILL REMAIN STEADFAST, 2019, FROM THE SERIES, AN AFFIRMATION, ACRYLIC, OIL, CHARCOAL, LINEN CANVAS, METAL LEAF, THREAD, METAL BUTTONS, AND SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS ON WOOD PANEL, , GIFT OF REBECCA AND JACK DRAKE, 2024.3.10, HERB WILLIAMS (AMERICAN, BORN 1973), BLACK POODLE, 2024, FROM THE SERIES CALL OF COUTURE, CRAYONS, STEEL, AND FIBERGLASS, GIFT OF THE ARTIST, 2024.4, MADISON KE FRANCIS (AMERICAN, BORN 1945), CICADA MUSE, 2022-2024, FROM THE PORTFOLIO, THE METAMORPH SERENADE, ENGRAVING AND DIGITAL INKJET PRINT WITH COLLAGE ON PAPER, GIFT OF THE ARTIST, 2024.5.1.1, MADISON KE FRANCIS (AMERICAN, BORN 1945), CICADA MUSE AT LATE MID-LIFE, 2022-2024, FROM THE PORTFOLIO, THE METAMORPH SERENADE, ENGRAVING AND DIGITAL INKJET PRINT WITH COLLAGE ON PAPER, GIFT OF THE ARTIST, 2024.5.1.2, MADISON KE FRANCIS (AMERICAN, BORN 1945), PORTFOLIO INFORMATION, 2022-2024, FROM THE PORTFOLIO, THE METAMORPH SERENADE, ENGRAVING AND DIGITAL INKJET PRINT WITH COLLAGE ON PAPER, GIFT OF THE ARTIST, 2024.5.1.3, MADISON KE FRANCIS (AMERICAN, BORN 1945), TRUE NORTH, 2024, ARTIST BOOK, GIFT OF THE ARTIST, 2024.5.2.
- $101,394 spent. EXHIBITIONS FOR FY 2024-2025IN ADDITION TO SEMI-PERMANENT INSTALLATIONS OF ART FROM THE MUSEUM'S PERMANENT COLLECTION, THE MUSEUM OFFERS TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS THAT RANGE IN LENGTH FROM 8 TO 12 WEEKS. THE CADDELL SCULPTURE GARDEN IS AN OUTDOOR VENUE IN WHICH PRIMARILY LOANED WORKS OF SCULPTURE ROTATE ON AN 18 MONTH TO 2-YEAR SCHEDULE.TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS2023 SOUTHERN PRIZE AND STATE FELLOWSHIPS FOR VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITIONNOVEMBER 15, 2024 THROUGH FEBRUARY 9, 2025SELMA IS NOW: CIVIL RIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHS BY SPIDER MARTINFEBRUARY 28 THROUGH JUNE 1, 2025THE NATURE OF HOMEMAY 2 THROUGH FEBRUARY 22, 2025HOME: THE 46TH BIENNIAL MONTGOMERY ART GUILD MUSEUM EXHIBITION SIDE QUESTSJUNE 27 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2025PERMANENT COLLECTION EXHIBITIONSART CONNECTSAUGUST 9 THROUGH OCTOBER 20, 2024ART CONNECTS: CIRCLE OF LIFEAUGUST 9 THROUGH OCTOBER 20, 2024FRANK SPANGLER, SR.: DRAWING ON EXPERIENCEAUGUST 16 THROUGH NOVEMBER 17, 2024HANS GROHS: THE ALPHABET WITH DEATH (DAS ABC MIT TOD)OCTOBER 4 THROUGH NOVEMBER 17, 2024AT THE TABLENOVEMBER 15, 2024 THROUGH FEBRUARY 9, 2025CANVAS AS A MIRROR: ARTISTS' SELF-PORTRAITSNOVEMBER 22, 2024 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2, 2025ART AND ARTISTS OF THE SOUTHJANUARY 17 THROUGH DECEMBER, 7 2025A MAN LOOKING FOR SOMETHING: DRAWINGS BY THORNTON DIALFEBRUARY 7 THROUGH MAY 4, 2025ZELDA FITZGERALD'S PAPER DOLLSFEBRUARY 28 THROUGH JUNE 1, 2025PIECED TOGETHER: A QUILTING COMMUNITYFEBRUARY 28 THROUGH JUNE 1, 2025AUTHORITY AND ANCESTRYMAY 9 THROUGH AUGUST 24, 2025PAPER MOONJUNE 27 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2025DRAWINGS BY BILL TRAYLOR FROM THE MMFA COLLECTIONAUGUST 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 9, 2025TEMPORARY CADDELL SCULPTURE GARDEN INSTALLATIONSALEXANDER LIBERMAN (AMERICAN, BORN RUSSIA, 1912-1999), CARDINAL POINTS, 1965, WELDED STEEL, GIFT OF THE ARTIST, 1968.33ANDNATHAN MABRY (AMERICAN, BORN 1978), HEAVY HANDED, (RED PIECE), 2019, ALUMINUM AND PAINT, GIFT OF JUDI AND DOUGLAS KRUPP, 2020.7GENEROUSLY LENT BY DECORDOVA SCULPTURE PARK AND MUSEUM, THE TRUSTEES, LINCOLN, MA AS PART OF ART BRIDGES LOAN NETWORK
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 1951.
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.