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Non-profit

King Center

Website:

www.thekingcenter.org
Location:

Atlanta, GA
Tax ID:

58-1030989
Budget (2022):

Revenue: $8,731,911
Expenses: $5,464,569
Assets: $12,849,921
Type:

Advocacy Group
Formation:

1968
CEO:

Bernice A. King
Budget (2023):

Revenue: $12,071,501
Expenses: $9,969,275
Net Assets: $15,169,198 1

References

  1. The King Center, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2023.

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The King Center (formally the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change) is a nonviolence advocacy organization that supports left-of-center positions and teachings on race. The organization was founded to continue the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. 1 and teach his nonviolent activism principles and philosophies on race, poverty, and society. 2

The King Center has expanded to include discussions advocating for critical race theory, changing police and public safety in America, fighting environmental racism, replacement theory and white fear, and reducing gun violence. The King Center conducts in-person and online teaching programs to reach out to businesses and leaders to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The King Center was critical of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) for signing legislation ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) funding for colleges and universities in the state. 3

History

The King Center was founded in June 1968 by Coretta Scott King two months after the assassination of her husband Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 4 Originally named the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Center, in 1972 The King Center was renamed The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change. 5 In 1978, the organization was renamed The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change and ground was broken to build a freedom hall complex to house the organization. 6 The King Center now consists of training programs and physical grounds consisting of the Freedom Hall, the crypt housing the remains of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King, and a meditation garden. The Center also promotes visitation of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birth home and the Ebenezer Baptist Church at which King preached, both sites managed at least in part by the National Park Service. 7

Nonviolent Philosophy

The King Center works to promote Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message of nonviolence as a way of thinking, speaking, acting, and engaging that it clams will lead to personal, cultural, and societal transformation. 8 The King Center calls poverty, racism, and militarism the “Triple Evils.” 9 The King Center defines poverty as unemployment, homelessness, hunger, illiteracy, and infant mortality. 10 Racism is defined as prejudice, anti-Semitism, colonialism, homophobia, apartheid, ageism, and prejudice against disabled people. 11 Militarism, according to The King Center, includes war, imperialism, domestic violence, rape, human trafficking, drugs, child abuse, and violent crimes. 12

The King Center advances Martin Luther King, Jr.’s principles of nonviolence. 13 These principles are that nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people; nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding; nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, or evil, not people; nonviolence holds that unearned, voluntary suffering for a just cause can educate and transform people and societies; nonviolence chooses love instead of hate; and nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice. 14

The King Center advocates six steps of nonviolent social change based on King’s speeches, writings, and philosophy of nonviolence. 15 The six steps are information gathering, education, personal commitment, negotiation, direct action, and reconciliation. 16

Advocacy Teachings

In 2023, The King Center expanded nonviolent teaching to include equity and how to remove unconscious and implicit bias. 17 The King Center offers nonviolent education and training through the program Nonviolence365. 18 Training is conducted through speakers at events, master classes, and online courses. 19 Nonviolent365 is designed for groups and individuals to expand diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging training in the workplace. 20

The King Center hosts community discussions on a variety of topics including dismantling supposed misinformation on critical race theory, environmental racism, gun violence, the replacement theory and white fear, voting, and reimagining police and public safety. 21 The King Center provides resources for Georgia voters and website links to left-of-center Fair Fight, League of Women Voters, Oprah Winfrey’s Own Your Vote, and Secure the Vote. 22

The King Center does youth outreach through a leadership academy and programs and resources to use in the classroom to teach Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy. 23 The King Center hosts an annual international exposition, runs the King Library and Archives for research, and is creating a community network. 24

Finances

In 2023, The King Center had net assets of $15,169,198. 25 In 2023, The King Center recorded $12,071,501 in revenue and had $9,969,275 in expenses. 26 In 2022, The King Center raised $8,731,911 in revenue and had $5,464,569 in expenses. 27

Leadership

Bernice A. King became the chief executive officer of The King Center in 2012. 28 Bernice King is the youngest daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King and became an ordained minister in 1990. 29 From 1990 to 1993, King was an assistant minister at Ebenezer Baptist Church, the church at which her father and grandfather preached. 30  King went on to work as a minister for seven years at the Rising Star Baptist Church before returning to Ebenezer as the senior pastor for youth and women’s ministry. 31

King has a law degree from Emory University and served as a law clerk for the chief judge of the Fulton County Juvenile Detention Court. 32 Bernice King supported U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D) in the 2016 presidential election and delivered an invocation at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. 33

References

  1. “About.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://timeline.thekingcenter.org/about/.
  2. “The King Philosophy.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/.
  3. “What the Florida DEI Bill Means To Us.” The King Center. May 24, 2023. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/what-the-florida-dei-bill-means-to-us/.
  4. “About.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://timeline.thekingcenter.org/about/.
  5. “Architect of the King Legacy: A Living Memorial to Nonviolence.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://timeline.thekingcenter.org/timeline/the-king-center/.
  6. “Architect of the King Legacy: A Living Memorial to Nonviolence.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://timeline.thekingcenter.org/timeline/the-king-center/.
  7. “Plan Your Visit. The King Center. Accessed August 19, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/visit/.
  8. “The King Philosophy.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/.
  9. The Triple Evils.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/.
  10. “The Triple Evils.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/.
  11. “The Triple Evils.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/.
  12. “The Triple Evils.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/.
  13. “Dr. King’s Fundamental Philosophy of Nonviolence.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/.
  14. “Dr. King’s Fundamental Philosophy of Nonviolence.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/.
  15. “Six Steps of Nonviolent Social Change.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/.
  16. “Six Steps of Nonviolent Social Change.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/.
  17. “The King Center Launches Nonviolence365 Online Workplace Edition Training.” The King Center. January 6, 2023. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230105006025/en/The-King-Center-Launches-Nonviolence365-Online-Workplace-Edition-Training; “Nonviolence365 Training.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/nonviolence365-training/
  18. “Nonviolence365 Training.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/nonviolence365-training/.
  19. “Nonviolence365 Training.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/nonviolence365-training/.
  20. “The King Center Launches Nonviolence365 Online Workplace Edition Training.” The King Center. January 6, 2023. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230105006025/en/The-King-Center-Launches-Nonviolence365-Online-Workplace-Edition-Training
  21.  “Beloved Community Talks.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/what-we-do/beloved-community-talks/.
  22. “Voter’s Resource Page.” The King Center. Accessed August 19, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/voters-resource/.
  23.  “What We Do.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/what-we-do/.
  24. What We Do.” The King Center. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://thekingcenter.org/what-we-do/
  25. The King Center, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2023.
  26. The King Center, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2023.
  27. The King Center, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2022.
  28. “Bernice A. King.” LinkedIn. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernice-a-king-93a06470/.
  29. “King, Bernice Albertine.” Stanford University Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-bernice-albertine.
  30. “King, Bernice Albertine.” Stanford University Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-bernice-albertine.
  31.  “King, Bernice Albertine.” Stanford University Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-bernice-albertine; “About Dr. King.” Berniceking.com. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://berniceking.com/about-me/.
  32. “About Dr. King.” Berniceking.com. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://berniceking.com/about-me/
  33. Dukes, Deidra. “Bernice and Alveda King: Bridging the Political Divide.” Fox5 Atlanta. February 28, 2017. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/bernice-and-alveda-king-bridging-the-political-divide; Suggs, Ernie. “Bernice King to Deliver Thursday Invocation to Open Final Day of DNC. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. July 27, 2016. Accessed August 18, 2024. https://www.ajc.com/news/bernice-king-deliver-thursday-invocation-open-final-day-dnc/09TV9GXzzSJ2JDtzNcGD3L/.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: June - May
  • Tax Exemption Received: August 1, 1969

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2022 Jun Form 990 $8,731,911 $5,464,569 $12,849,921 $255,671 N $8,333,954 $0 $69,970 $0
    2021 Jun Form 990 $6,814,989 $4,180,598 $9,811,579 $359,935 N $6,216,173 $0 $172,417 $150,000 PDF
    2020 Jun Form 990 $3,029,675 $3,289,687 $7,149,915 $460,464 N $2,198,575 $0 $30,229 $0 PDF
    2019 Jun Form 990 $4,585,534 $2,840,847 $7,023,656 $389,796 N $2,097,851 $0 $44,810 $0 PDF
    2018 Jun Form 990 $3,491,751 $3,095,126 $5,994,889 $1,133,324 N $2,646,301 $0 $39,608 $0 PDF
    2017 Jun Form 990 $1,938,536 $1,995,587 $5,586,303 $1,147,428 N $1,251,072 $0 $34,713 $0 PDF
    2016 Jun Form 990 $1,824,281 $1,980,619 $5,582,056 $941,471 N $1,144,506 $0 $39,485 $0 PDF
    2015 Jun Form 990 $2,142,335 $2,371,683 $5,685,551 $507,310 N $1,424,864 $0 $26,165 $0 PDF
    2014 Jun Form 990 $2,548,331 $2,377,076 $5,790,807 $401,905 N $1,882,568 $0 $34,081 $0 PDF
    2013 Jun Form 990 $2,264,460 $1,993,023 $5,729,456 $557,265 N $1,492,085 $35,688 $42,899 $86,010 PDF
    2012 Jun Form 990 $3,111,733 $2,713,181 $5,767,741 $866,987 N $2,292,692 $395,306 $33,888 $325,178 PDF
    2011 Jun Form 990 $2,582,522 $2,921,325 $5,913,782 $1,411,580 N $2,117,268 $113,123 $32,516 $181,696 PDF
    2010 Jun Form 990 $2,435,894 $2,985,796 $6,831,299 $1,243,858 N $1,887,995 $5,390 $32,893 $276,355 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    King Center

    449 AUBURN AVE SE
    Atlanta, GA 30312-0000