Bessie Smith Cultural Center African American Museum &

Analysis

Bessie Smith Cultural Center African American Museum & is a registered charity in United States, based in Chattanooga, TN. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in January 1988, 38 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts, culture and humanities, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, Bessie Smith Cultural Center African American Museum & reported income of $729k and spending of $726k, spending 100% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income grew from $664k to $729k (+9.7%), an average of +2.3% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2021, when income rose by 64%. Over the whole period it spent 97% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Bessie Smith Cultural Center African American Museum & sits at the 82nd percentile: it is larger than about 82% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 75th percentile, and in the 77th percentile within TN. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Phil Clef Club of the Performing Arts Inc ($728k), Texarkana Regional Arts & Humanities Council Inc ($729k) and Massaro Community Farm Inc ($728k).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 70% and program service revenue 16% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $102k (14% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $149k. At year end it held assets of $663k against liabilities of $13k, net assets of $650k. It reported 7 employees.