Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc
Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc., based in Memphis, Tennessee, is a public charity that invests in youth development through music engagement and works to create equitable opportunities for Black and brown youth in Memphis. Its activities include direct in-school and summer programming, as well as operational grants and organizational supports for nonprofits working with young people.
Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc at a glance
In short: Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc gave $399K across 19 grants in 2024 (avg $21K), mostly in Tennessee. 11% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $398,600
- -57.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 19
- -32.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $20,979
- -37.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $1,542,974
- -58.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (2 of 19, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc
- Review Cycle
- The listed deadline of March 14, 2026, has passed.
- Deadline
- The listed deadline of March 14, 2026, has passed.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1926, Memphis, TN 38101
Phone: (901) 410-4100
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc
Who Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Harmonic South String Orchestra ($50K). Together the top 10 received $322K.
Grant Size Distribution
85 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 68 grants of 85 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization states that the Grantmaking and Capacity Building Program serves Memphis, Tennessee. All 2024 grant dollars listed in the filing went to recipients in Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 19 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $232K (2021) to $960K (2022). In 2024 it made 19 grants totaling $399K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Harmonic South String Orchestra Memphis, TN | Organizational Development | $50,000 |
| Leejazzomega Inc Memphis, TN | Organizational Development | $40,000 |
| Young Actors Guild Memphis, TN | Organizational Development | $40,000 |
| Angel Street Inc Cordova, TN | Organizational Development | $30,000 |
| Perfecting Gifts Memphis, TN | Organizational Development | $30,000 |
| Raising the Bar Memphis Memphis, TN | Organizational Development | $30,000 |
| Princeton James Projects Memphis, TN | Organizational Development | $30,000 |
| Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group Memphis, TN | Organizational Development | $26,500 |
| Memphis Slimhouse Collaboratory Memphis, TN | Memphis Slim House Collaboratory Building Maintenance | $25,000 |
| Memphis Black Arts Alliance Memphis, TN | Organizational Development | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,542,974 | $970,958 | $3,040,347 | $398,600 | 19 | $17,087 |
| 2023 | $3,735,062 | $2,478,974 | $3,732,390 | $938,633 | 28 | $34,290 |
| 2022 | $4,386,497 | $2,544,622 | $3,881,807 | $959,687 | 23 | $8,876 |
| 2021 | $5,874,530 | $7,164,597 | $2,606,540 | $232,000 | 6 | — |
| 2020 | $1,336,849 | $2,438,668 | $2,719,419 | $261,500 | 9 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission stated in the organization’s 2024 filing is “investing in youth development through transformative music engagement and creating equitable opportunities for Black and brown youth in Memphis.” The filing describes direct programs connecting youth to in-school, after-school, and summer opportunities, including music education and paid summer work at music and arts organizations. It also describes operational grants and other support for organizations working with young people.
The Grantmaking and Capacity Building Program supports nonprofit organizations focused on music engagement in Memphis. Its stated purpose is to help organizations deliver high-quality programs and secure resources beyond MMI’s support. The organization says it has invested just over $1 million in nearly 20 music engagement nonprofits, impacting well over 1,500 youth since its inception.
The 2024 grants show support for arts and youth-serving organizations. For example, Young Actors Guild describes its work as using performing arts to support students’ academic, social, and emotional development. Angel Street says it provides musical training and mentorship for girls, while Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group describes using scenic arts to share Latin American culture and support bilingual education. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the organization reported 19 grants totaling $398,600. Grants ranged from $5,500 to $50,000, with a median of $20,000. The largest reported awards included $50,000 to Harmonic South String Orchestra; $40,000 each to LeeJazzOmega Inc. and Young Actors Guild; and $30,000 each to Angel Street Inc., Perfecting Gifts, Raising the Bar Memphis, and Princeton James Projects. Most listed grant purposes were organizational development. Other reported purposes included summer music programming and building maintenance.
The organization’s Grantmaking and Capacity Building Program is for nonprofit organizations focused on music engagement, with a geographic scope of Memphis, Tennessee. The MMI Works Summer Internship Program is a separate youth opportunity: it hires high school students to work at local music and arts organizations and is not described as a grant program for outside applicants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Tarik Ward as board chair; Kenyatta Andrews as treasurer; and Joey Beckford, Kate Dowd, Sarah Lockridge-Steckel, Jen McGrath, Dr. Charles McKinney, and Tuwisha Rogers as board members. It lists Amber Hamilton as executive director and Laura Lindenmayer as vice president, development and communications.
Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc is led by Amber Hamilton, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 3 of 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Amber Hamilton
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$195K (2020) → $225K (2024)
Tarik Ward
Board Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Lindenmayer
Vice President, Development & Communications
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$130K (2024)
Rychetta Watkins
Vice President, Grantmaking & Capacity Building
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$119K (2024)
Charles McKinney
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jen McGrath
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joey Beckford
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kenyatta Andrews
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Lockridge-Steckel
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kate Dowd
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tuwisha Rogers
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Cecila Walker (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Christy Valentine (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jeff Rhodin (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Kathy Lindenmayer (2021–2023) — Key Employee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $225K, to Amber Hamilton (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc
How much does Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc give each year?
Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc gave $399K across 19 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $939K across 28 grants.
What is Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc's typical grant size?
Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $20,979, across 19 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc that year got $10K on average.
Where does Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc give grants?
Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc gives mostly in Tennessee: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Memphis, TN (17 grants) and Cordova, TN (2 grants).
Does Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 19 grants with a stated purpose on Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Organizational Development" (12 grants) and "Summer Music Programming" (6 grants).
Who are Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc's largest grantees?
Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Harmonic South String Orchestra ($50,000), Leejazzomega Inc ($40,000) and Young Actors Guild ($40,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc?
Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $971K.
What does Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc fund?
The mission stated in the organization’s 2024 filing is “investing in youth development through transformative music engagement and creating equitable opportunities for Black and brown youth in Memphis.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc?
Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc's EIN?
Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-4079426. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/memphis-equity-through-arts-inc-morg_eba5b3e160a34fb4bf67a0107b53df30
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_814079426_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/memphis-equity-through-arts-inc-morg_eba5b3e160a34fb4bf67a0107b53df30},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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