The Current Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE CURRENT, INC. IS A MEMBER SUPPORTED, COMMUNITY ARTS AND EDUCATION NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, WHOSE MISSION IS TO ENHANCE THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE VISUAL ARTS.
- Income
- $762,687
- Spending
- $914,369
- Spent on programs
- 64%
- Reserves
- 14.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 59%
- Employees
- 17
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $106,677, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1564% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 37 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
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, 2024, 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 (1)
- $585,298 spent. EDUCATION-ADULT AND YOUTH PROGRAMS OFFERED CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND FAMILY EVENTS THIS YEAR. EXHIBITIONS - CURATED AND PRODUCED 7 EXHIBITIONS. PUBLIC PROGRAMMING IN THE FORM OF ARTIST TALKS, ACADEMIC PANELS, AND WORKSHOPS ACCOMPANY THE EXHIBITIONS. WE WORK WITH LOCAL AND REGIONAL SCHOOLS WHO RECEIVE GUIDED TOURS OF THE EXHIBITS AND TRANSPORTATION STIPENDS TO PAY FOR BUSSING FEES. WE OFFER PUBLIC ACTIVITIES, A HANDS-ON ROOM WITH ACTIVITIES FOR EVERY EXHIBITION, DROP-IN PRE-K ART PLAY AND TEEN STUDIOS, AND ADMISSION TO THE GALLERY AND PUBLIC TALKS ARE ALWAYS FREE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1983.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.