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Community Access to the Arts Inc

EIN 04-3196265 · Gt Barrington, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE ARTS (CATA) NURTURES AND CELEBRATES THE CREATIVITY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH SHARED EXPERIENCES IN THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS. PROGRAMS TAKE PLACE IN HEALTHCARE, THERAPEUTIC, ELDERCARE, EDUCATIONAL, COMMUNITY, AND CULTURAL SETTINGS. OUR PROGRAMS SERVE YOUTH, ADULTS, AND ELDERS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, AUTISM, BRAIN INJURIES, AND DEMENTIA, THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH MANY DIFFERENT HUMAN SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS LIVING AT HOME.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
29.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
41
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$188,310, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 August 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. $1.5 million spent. CATA ARTS IN & ARTS OUT PROGRAM: IN THIS CORE PROGRAM, CATA ARTISTS ATTEND WORKSHOPS LED BY CATA FACULTY ARTISTS SKILLED IN THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS. VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOPS INCLUDE DRAWING, PAINTING, COLLAGE, PHOTOGRAPHY, SCULPTURE, AND SET AND COSTUME DESIGN. PERFORMING ARTS WORKSHOPS INCLUDE SINGING, SONGWRITING, DRUMMING, DANCING, JUGGLING, AND ACTING. OTHER WORKSHOPS INCLUDE CREATIVE WRITING AND YOGA.
  2. $329,985 spent. CATA PERFORMANCES AND SHARINGS:CATA ARTISTS SHOWCASE THEIR TALENTS IN DANCE, ACTING, MUSIC, JUGGLING, COMEDY, AND MORE IN PERFORMANCES AND SHARINGS THAT ENGAGE WIDE PUBLIC AUDIENCES.
  3. $176,592 spent. CATA ART EXHIBITS: ART EXHIBITS AT MUSEUMS, GALLERIES, AND COMMUNITY SPACES SHOWCASE THE TALENTS OF CATA ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY TO EXPERIENCE.
  4. $306,332 spent. CATA IN THE COMMUNITY:PROGRAM PARTNERSHIPS, RESIDENCIES, AND VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMS THAT NURTURE THE CREATIVITY OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND SHARE THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS WITH THE PUBLIC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1993.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.