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Carpenter Art Garden

EIN 82-2322015 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE CARPENTER ART GARDEN IS TO WORK WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF UNDER RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOODS TO PROMOTE EACH CHILD'S CREATIVE POTENTIAL AND SELF-WORTH THROUGH EXPOSURE TO ARTISTIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE GARDEN'S VISION IS TO EMPOWER THESE CHILDREN TO CREATE THEIR BEST FUTURES.

Income
$554,857
Spending
$690,637
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
28
Volunteers
180
Highest pay
$58,073, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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. $70,024 spent. ART GARDENTHE GARDEN IS A CREATIVE SPACE WHERE CHILDREN GATHER EACH TUESDAY TO CREATE ART, EXPERIENCE PERFORMANCES AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH ONE ANOTHER, STAFF, AND VOLUNTEERS. ESTIMATED INDIVIDUALS SERVED 100
  2. $142,469 spent. ART EDUCATIONTHE ART EDUCATION PROGRAM IS THE CORNERSTONE OF CARPENTER ART GARDEN (CAG), SERVING YOUTH AGES 7-18. THROUGH CAREFULLY DESIGNED CURRICULUM AND HANDS-ON CREATIVE PRACTICE WITH PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS, THE PROGRAM NURTURES IMAGINATION, SELF-EXPRESSION, AND PERSONAL GROWTH. STUDENTS ENGAGE IN SMALL GROUP ART CLASSES, MURALS, FOLK ART, FASHION DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPHY, MUSIC, AND PERFORMANCE ARTS, ALONG WITH IMMERSIVE MULTI-DAY ART FIELD TRIPS. VISITING ARTISTS LEAD WORKSHOPS THAT INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS WHILE FOSTERING LEADERSHIP, COLLABORATION, AND LIFE SKILLS THAT SUPPORT SUCCESS IN ANY CAREER. THE PROGRAM CULMINATES IN A PUBLIC EXHIBITION AND PERFORMANCES OF STUDENT WORK AT OUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW. OFFERED YEAR-ROUND, ART EDUCATION PROVIDES AFTERSCHOOL, SPRING BREAK, AND SUMMER ARTS AND MINDFULNESS ACTIVITIES, EMPHASIZING EXPLORATION, ACCESS, AND HEALING THROUGH CREATIVE PRACTICE. ESTIMATED INDIVIDUALS SERVED 125
  3. $192,026 spent. ART INTERVENTIONART INTERVENTION ADDRESSES SYSTEMIC CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH POVERTY, INCLUDING FOOD INSECURITY, UNEMPLOYMENT, LIMITED YOUTH JOB TRAINING, TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS, AND EDUCATIONAL GAPS. CARPENTER ART GARDEN PROVIDES ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE THROUGH TWO COMMUNITY GARDENS, OFFERS HANDS-ON JOB TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS VIA ITS YOUTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, AND SUPPORTS LEARNING THROUGH PROJECT-BASED EDUCATION INITIATIVES. THE PROGRAM ENGAGES THE BROADER COMMUNITY THROUGH EVENTS SUCH AS THE ANNUAL HARVEST FESTIVAL AND HAMP HOLIDAY PARADE, LEADS NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, AND PARTICIPATES IN NATIONAL NIGHT OUT TO FOSTER CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND STRENGTHEN LOCAL CONNECTIONS. TO EXPAND HORIZONS, STUDENTS ALSO PARTICIPATE IN AN ANNUAL ARTS AND CULTURE IMMERSION TRIP, EXPOSING THEM TO CREATIVE EXPERIENCES BEYOND MEMPHIS. ESTIMATED INDIVIDUALS SERVED 100

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 July 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 August 2017.

    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.