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Rhode Island Arts Foundation at Newport Incorporated

EIN 05-0319134 · Newport, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CELEBRATE CLASSICAL MUSIC AS A LIVING ART FORM THROUGH INSPIRING CONCERTS IN INTIMATE AND HISTORIC LOCATIONS.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
55%
Reserves
20 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
11
Volunteers
64
Highest pay
$192,518, executive director (until july 2025)

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    55% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 35 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 (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 (1)
  1. $989,592 spent. THE 2024/25 SEASON WAS THE THIRD YEAR OF YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING PRESENTED BOTH AT THE NEWPORT CLASSICAL RECITAL HALL AND NEIGHBORHOOD-CENTERED LOCATIONS AROUND AQUIDNECK ISLAND. NEWPORT CLASSICAL IS PROUD TO BE AN ESSENTIAL PILLAR OF RHODE ISLAND'S CULTURAL LANDSCAPE, CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROSPERITY AND VIBRANCY OF ITS COMMUNITY ALL YEAR LONG THROUGH ITS FOUR CORE INITIATIVES - THE ONE-OF-A-KIND MUSIC FESTIVAL; THE CHAMBER SERIES IN THE NEWPORT CLASSICAL RECITAL HALL; THE FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY CONCERTS SERIES; AND THE MUSIC EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE THAT INSPIRES STUDENTS IN LOCAL SCHOOLS TO BECOME THE ARTS ADVOCATES AND MUSIC LOVERS OF TOMORROW. THE SEASON INCLUDED 53 CONCERTS AND ATTRACTED NEARLY 11,500 PATRONS.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on January 15, 2015 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on January 15, 2015.

    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 April 2016.

    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.