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Liquid Blackness Limited

EIN 84-4574920 · Decatur, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak33 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Liquid Blackness, Limited is a non-profit that supports a scholarly and creative ecosystem devoted to the study of aesthetic practices in the contemporary arts of the black diaspora. Through scholarly research, study groups, creative projects, open access publications, digital design, and public events (symposia, artist talks, teach-ins, art shows) designed for scholars, curators, artists, and the general public, LBL builds black aesthetic fluency while mentoring the next generation of scholars and creatives committed to inquiry in Black aesthetics and the agenda of Black Studies.

Income
$261,985
Spending
$97,346
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
22.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
6

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 63% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    2 of 2 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.

  • 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, 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 (1)
  1. $88,130 spent. The Liquid Blackness Limited builds on the study of arts and artists from the Black Diaspora to explore the intersection of aesthetic theory and the most radical agenda of Black Studies. Through research projects, public events, and online publication, it seeks to mentor the next generation of scholars of color and other scholars fully committed to the agenda of black studies, while creating a vibrant, extended, and sustainable community. Descriptions for each of the organization's programs:1. Public Programming: In 2025, LBL has:a. hosted 5 artists/scholars, b. curated 1 film series:- 4 films screened- 14 essays read- 2 community gatherings - 3 reading and study groups2. Educational: a. Open access scholarship and pedagogy: - 4 short-form open access publications in In Media Res- pedagogical toolsets (1 portfolio and 1 digital design tool) that enhance our open access pedagogy. b. Artists critiques: experimental film work (Calvin, Sofia, Flavio)c. mentorship of 5 doctoral students from GSU and other US institutions: Calvin, Liz, Arri, Taylor, Onur, Jeffrey)d. 2 new undergraduate course design (GSU and UGA); e. 2 "write-alongs"- In conjunction with Cornel West's October 2nd, 2025, lecture organized by The Center for Hellenic Studies at Georgia State University, titled "Prophetic Witness in our Catastrophic Times,"- In conjunction with "Still Sent" a workshop on the scholarship of Fred Moten and Laura Harrisf. 13 public presentations in informal and academic settings, including, Association for the Study of the Arts of the Present, World Picture Conference, American Studies Association. 3. Sustainability:a. 5 grant applications, including American Council of Learned Society's Digital Justice Development Grant for $99K4. Archive:a. finders' key for the audiovisual and text-based materials accumulated throughout LB's 12-years-old history.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 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 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 March 2020.

    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.