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Memphis Equity Through Arts Meta Incorporated

EIN 81-4079426 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak28 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

INVESTING IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH TRANSFORMATIVE MUSIC ENGAGEMENT AND CREATING EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLACK AND BROWN YOUTH IN MEMPHIS

Income
$970,958
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
21
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$241,744, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 28 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 213% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 61% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 45 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $2.1 million spent. INVESTS IN YOUTH THROUGH TRANSFORMATIVE MUSIC ENGAGEMENT, CREATING EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLACK AND BROWN YOUTH IN MEMPHIS. WE INVEST IN TWO WAYS: THROUGH DIRECT PROGRAMS THAT CONNECT YOUTH TO HIGH QUALITY IN SCHOOL, AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMERTIME OPPORTUNITIES AND BY PROVIDING FUNDING AND RESOURCES TO ADVANCE ORGANIZATIONS WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE. OUR ORGINAL DIRECT PROGRAM IS OUR IN SCHOOL MUSIC ENGAGEMENT, WHICH HELPS TRANSFORM MUSIC CLASSROOMS INTO LEARNING LABORATORIES FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, GROWING STUDENT CONFIDENCE, AND SELF EFFICACY. MMI WORKS CREATES PAID SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO WORK AT MUSIC AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND OFFERS EQUITABLE ACCESS TO CAREER TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. WE ALSO INVEST TO BUILD STRONG AND EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH OPERATIONAL GRANT FUNDING AND SUPPORT THAT FOSTER SUSTAINABILITY AND IMPROVE PROGRAM QUALITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 November 2016.

    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.