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Nashville Public Media Inc

EIN 83-1703750 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceFair54 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NASHVILLE BANNER IS A LOCALLY OWNED, COMMUNITY SUPPORTED, CIVIC NEWS ORGANIZATION. WE EXIST TO EMPOWER THE PEOPLE OF NASHVILLE TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS BY PROVIDING NON-PARTISAN JOURNALISM FROM AN INDEPENDENT, NONPROFIT NEWSROOM. WE ARE DIGITAL-FIRST, WITH NO PAYWALL FOR OUR STORIES, BECAUSE WE BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO NEWS.

Income
$754,457
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
15
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$91,471, president

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $727,636 spent. THE BANNER LAUNCHED AS A DAILY WEBSITE IN MARCH 2024, PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT NASHVILLE AND TENNESSEE AROUND THE FOLLOWING BEATS: COURTS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT AND TENNESEE STATE GOVERNMENT. THE BANNER PROVIDED IN-DEPTH COVERAGE ABOUT THE 2024 STATE AND FEDERAL ELECTIONS, INCLUDING INTERVIEWS WITH CANDIDATES, STORIES ABOUT ADVERTISING, CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND ISSUES AFFECTING TENNESSEE RESIDENTS. THE PUBLICATION ALSO LAUNCHED BANNER & COMPANY, A WEEKLY INTERVIEW PODCAST ABOUT INDIVIDUALS AND ISSUES AFFECTING NASHVILLE AND TENNESSEE.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2020.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.