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Columbus Collective Museums Inc

EIN 87-1078495 · Columbus, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak22 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COLUMBUS COLLECTIVE MUSEUMS PRESENTS THE EVOLUTION OF POP CULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY IN AMERICA TO DIVERSE AUDIENCES, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE INDUSTRIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA THROUGH BRILLIANT AND COLORFUL DISPLAYS OF ARTIFACTS, HISTORIC OBJECTS, AND HISTORICAL SITE RECREATIONS.

Income
$607,277
Spending
$58,904
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
114.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0

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

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 114.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 90% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Weak: 22 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 8 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 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. $41,234 spent. Operated a multi-museum cultural center featuring eight distinct collections, including the Lunchbox Museum, RC Cola Museum, Nehi Museum, Tom Huston Peanut Museum, Chero-Cola Country Store, Folk Art Museum, Georgia Radio Museum and Hall of Fame, and additional Americana collections. Welcomed visitors from across the region and beyond throughout the year. Offered educational tours, school partnerships, youth art activities, and community engagement programs that provided affordable learning opportunities for children and families, especially within underserved neighborhoods surrounding Hamilton Road. Hosted public events including the Crossroads Folk Art Festival, artist talks, local artist exhibitions, and ongoing Folk Art Junction programming to support emerging and established folk artists in the region. Maintained and preserved thousands of historic artifacts, commercial memorabilia, and regional cultural materials, ensuring safe stewardship and accessibility for future generations through conservation efforts and public exhibition. Contributed to the revitalization of the Hamilton Road corridor by increasing tourism activity, improving community engagement, and promoting local heritage and creative culture.

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 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 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 March 2022.

    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.