Splash
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 45% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
SPLASH provides arts enrichment which relies heavily on an apprentice style art instruction in a professional artist studio to low-income urban youth. Immersing them in the local art museum galleries and artisan market activities for real world art experiences. We provide quality after-school arts programming to local schools and other youth groups including the juvenile detention center. Our roster maintains a core group of 7 regular teaching artists to serve local youth from 3-16yrs old. We also provide arts enrichment to seniors at adult day care centers.
- Income
- $229,260
- Spending
- $223,689
- Spent on programs
- 45%
- Reserves
- 12 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 64%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 3
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
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1545% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (7)
- $20,600 spent. I Made This is an expansive program that actively engaged around 250 students from pre-K to age 16 including 30 seniors Incarcerated Youth and homeless families who received free art classes. This initiative is an ongoing art class in Chattanooga. SPLASH firmly believes in nurturing children's artistic journey from an early age and encouraging them to lead a creative life throughout their entire existence. We believe in engaging seniors with art classes that involve cognitive experiences to promote brain health. This project was overseen by teaching artists employing a specially designed rubric to assess skill level comprehension and attitude or behavior. Spanning multiple locations the program took place at the Chattanooga Public Library Orchard Knob Elementary School Brown Academy Life Care of Hixson The Chatt. Foundation Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center The Reserve at Mtn. Pass and Lynns Playpen in East Chattanooga an area plagued by high crime rates and gang activities. Under the guidance of 4 professional Teaching Artists students found themselves in a professional art studio setting delving into drawing and painting. For many of these children it marked their inaugural exposure to the world of art thus granting them the opportunity to learn fundamental principles and techniques through a meticulous hands-on approach. The projects showcased a diverse range incorporating elements of Art History Culture various genres styles medium and approaches to art creation.
- $8,270 spent. Art Tank is a program engaging 120 students with apprenticeship-based youth arts training. The Art Tank led by 5 Teaching Artists is an extension of our entrepreneur program that introduces the business of art to kids aged 4 to 16. We teach design fabrication quality control framing marketing and presentation for exhibition and sales at festivals markets art fairs and galleries. The kids learn studio practice and get to make the connections between good studio practice and reward. They create and critique their work while being mentored by teaching artists in art practices as well as behavior collaboration skills studio and workplace etiquette critical analysis self-pride pricing display design salesmanship and all the things necessary for a successful career. This program takes place at the Chattanooga Public Library Orchard Knob Elementary School Brown Academy and Lynns Playpen in East Chattanooga. The program took place at the Chattanooga Public Library Orchard Knob Elementary School Brown Academy and Lynn's Playpen in East Chattanooga an area plagued by high crime rates and gang activities.
- $13,750 spent. A Place of Healing 250 served. SPLASH Art Gallery A Place of Healing is a collaborative effort between SPLASH Project Lead and CommonSpirit CHI Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga Project Support culminating in a year-long exhibition and permanent changing of the SPLASH Art Gallery that will be seen by literally thousands of visitors to the hospital. When revisiting the Water Lilies in my present condition-vision loss from glaucoma-I slip into a sense of completeness. Surface depth and reflection converge just as past future and present moments become one. And Ive realized Ive lost nothing. I feel no anxiety or dread. I simply luxuriate in the joy of color and celebrate this present moment. This to me is the healing power of art. Christopher Bailey reflects on his personal history with Claude Monets Water Lilies over many decades. Medjugorge Bosnia and Herzegovina Lourdes France The Massabielle Grotto Lourdes France Grunwalds Isenheim Altarpiece Germany and Charlie Newtons Yo Mary Atlanta Stephanie Hughley former director of National Black Arts Festival and Art Director for the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. All of these are places of reported miracles where art and healing have merged to demonstrate the Healing Power of Art. This is a partnership between SPLASH and Memorial Hospital to create a large exhibition of art from Splash Students and Lead Artists Charlie and Iantha Newton to transform the corridors of a major Hospital to intentionally create an environment that promotes healing in the visitors patients and staff who utilize the places and spaces in the hospital. This project has three placemaking efforts to help connect and understand people place and the community: education the creation of new art and exhibition. Education: Splash students study the history of art for healing for seven months creating their own healing art led by lead artist Charlie Newton and Splash teaching artists. They learned about healing art from guest lecturer Chyela Rowe manager of Arts Therapies and Well-Being at Memorial Hospital. New Art: Students were guided through processes and art techniques of various artists and genres while creating works of art for healing 30-50 student works will be available for the exhibit. Splash lead artists Charlie and Iantha Newton created a suite of paintings on Healing 5-10 works each will be available for the exhibit. Exhibition: Splash exhibited the art created by students and lead artists at Memorial Hospital for one year.
- $11,090 spent. Art Is For Everyone served 260. The only visual art class in the neighborhood Art is for Everyone reached 117 underserved kids with professional art training discovering and developing young underestimated and underserved mostly African American youth with free art training. The project takes place in an abandoned school building and a middle school located at the center of low-income housing changing lives by utilizing art as an agent of change. Mentoring is integrated into all classes as kids enter this different studio environment and as the kids gain more confidence through completing projects they learn to see themselves in a new positive light and start to get along with their peers. This project introduced many kids to making serious art for the first time. They worked with 6 professional exhibiting artists learning various skills about drawing or painting. Volunteers were present to help encourage and work with the young artists. They learned basic principles and techniques through an intricate and patient hands-on approach. They learned the proper way to hold utensils posture and mixing of paints and gained a larger vocabulary both artistically and literally. Studio Practice and production are very important and students pursue their ideas in a directed but patient way. After the project their art was framed and exhibited at AVA Gallery selling some $1500 of art with the kids families receiving half of the sales. Spanning multiple locations the program took place at the Chattanooga Public Library Orchard Knob Elementary School Brown Academy Life Care of Hixson The Chatt. Foundation Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center Glennwood Recreation Center and Lynn's Playpen in East Chattanooga an area plagued by high crime rates and gang activities.
- $30,000 spent. Shelter in Art served 260 and addresses the psychological stress of our current times associated with inclusion justice homelessness incarceration social distancing and social issues coming out of the pandemic centered around justice and racism by providing an alternative outlet the art studio and fabrication environment for children seniors juveniles the homeless and their families using art as a catalyst for mindfulness psychological and emotional healing. The current gang-related violence and crime in our inner-city neighborhoods create a need for intervention that the arts can provide including a safe place for youth to relieve stress and anxiety. Our classes at the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center challenge offenders with an alternative way of thinking to navigate underserved communities to produce a more positive outcome. Shelter in Art addresses the psychological stress associated with social issues centered around justice and racism homelessness incarceration aging and poverty by providing an alternative outlet the art studio and fabrication environment for children seniors and their families using art as a catalyst for mindfulness psychological and emotional healing. Our partners include: Chatt. Foundation Chattanooga Room in the Inn The Reserve at Mountain Pass Lifecare of Hixson Juvenile Detention Center Lynn's Playpen Orchard Knob Middle Kingdom Partners Brown Academy Chattanooga Public Library Boys and Girls Club Hardy Elementary CHI Memorial
- $15,000 spent. Art Pops served 150. SPLASH conducted weekly pop-up art classes at the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center Chattanooga Public Library and McClellan Family Shelter. These classes were open to anyone of all ages. The juvenile court has changing populations as does the McClellan shelter. The Tuesday class at the Juvenile Court engages troubled teens from 12 to 19 20 students. The Wednesday pop-up class at the library which has a diverse and evolving clientele and is intergenerational accommodates families and kids of all ages 45 students. The Friday class at the McClellan Shelter serves homeless families intergenerational and kids of all ages including babies 32 students. We also prepare 32 meals to be served after each class. The total number of students in the Pop-Ups is around 97 to 100 per week added to the current weekly total of around 150 twice the amount as last year. The classes are meant to be a fun art appreciation in nature and focus on beginning drawing painting and mixed media techniques. Students will learn to hold a pencil paint with watercolors and tempera and use pastels and mixed media techniques. They develop at their own pace guided by professional artists and a studio apprentice. Mentoring is an intricate part of the SPLASH teaching style as we focus on the individual to encourage them psychologically and deepen their mental acuity through an extended focus on various projects that engage mindfulness and right-brain thinking. All art supplies are included. After each class the students will have finished artwork to take home.
- $2,150 spent. Art Helps serves approx. 40 and is a transformative art program designed to bring hope creativity and a sense of achievement to homeless families housed at the CHATT Foundation. Through weekly art classes SPLASH will empower these families and seniors by providing them with an opportunity for self-expression strengthening family bonds and fostering a supportive community. The project will not only include art instruction but also provide meals after each class. Some of the artworks will be framed and included in SPLASH art shows. To ensure the success of this project we employ four to six skilled teaching artists and an assistant who leads the classes providing guidance and inspiration to the students. Additionally two dedicated volunteers help prepare the meals. The classes are scheduled in the evenings and after school accommodating the families other responsibilities while providing them with a safe and nurturing space to explore their artistic talents.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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