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Southern Arizona Arts Guild

EIN 01-0645414 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SAAG IS AN ORGANIZATION CREATED TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR ARTISTS TO STUDY, TO SHARE AND TO SHOW THEIR ARTWORK. THE PURPOSE OF SAAG SHALL BE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS THROUGH LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS. SAAG SHALL SUPPORT THE VISUAL ARTS AND SHALL ENCOURAGE, EDUCATE AND PROMOTE ITS MEMBERS' WORK THROUGH EXHIBITIONS WHILE STRIVING FOR HIGH STANDARDS OF QUALITY. SAAG SHALL ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF THE VISUAL ARTS.

Income
$329,028
Spending
$352,864
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
4.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
3
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$7,000, board member

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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

    5 of 5

    Keeps 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $286,733 spent. GALLERY: THE GALLERY PROVIDES GUILD MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELL THEIR ART WORK. ARTISTS LOOKING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SAAG GALLERY UNDERGO A FORMAL JURY PROCESS WITH ESTABLISHED CRITERIA, INCLUDING QUALITY OF WORK, SALABILITY, PRODUCTION CAPACITY, AND CONSISTENCY. THE GUILD PROMOTES THE GALLERY THROUGH MONTHLY EVENTS.
  2. $23,712 spent. NEW GALLERY - JOESLER: THE LEASE ON OUR FORMER GALLERY SPACE EXPIRED ON 12/31/25. DUE TO HIGHER RENT AND OPERATIONAL COSTS IT WAS NECESSARY TO RELOCATE OUR GALLERY. THIS UNDERTAKING TOOK MONTHS OF PREPARATION BEGINNING WITH THE SEARCH FOR A NEW LOCATION, TENANT IMPROVEMENTS AND THEN THE PHYSICAL MOVE.
  3. $17,851 spent. WORKSHOPS: THIS PROGRAM FOSTERS APPRECIATION FOR THE VISUAL ARTS, SPARKS CURIOSITY, AND STRENGTHENS THE CULTURAL FABRIC OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA, LEAVING VISITORS WITH A DEEPER CONNECTION TO THE LOCAL ARTS COMMUNITY. SINCE 2023, IT ALSO INCLUDES THE YOUTH ART BOOT CAMP THAT HAS PROVIDED HANDS-ON CREATIVE EXPERIENCES FOR EIGHT STUDENTS A YEAR, WHICH BUILDS CONFIDENCE, ENCOURAGES SELF-EXPRESSION, AND INTRODUCES YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE VISUAL ARTS AT A FORMATIVE STAGE.
  4. $13,928 spent. GENERAL PROGRAMS: OTHER GENERAL SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES.

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

  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 2025.

    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 January 2003.

    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.