Lyme Academy of Fine Arts Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE LYME ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS IS TO TEACH THE FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS OF DRAWING, PAINTING, AND SCULPTURE IN THE FIGURATIVE TRADITION. BY ITS COMMITMENT TO TRAINING STUDENTS IN THESE SKILLS AND AN ENGAGEMENT WITH CONTEMPORARY DISCOURSE, THE ACADEMY WILL EMPOWER A NEW GENERATION OF ARTISTS. THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS, THE ACADEMY IS COMMITTED TO ENRICHING THE CULTURAL LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $3.3 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 5.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 54%
- Employees
- 19
- Volunteers
- 45
- Highest pay
- $99,850, artistic drctr
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 2518 of 20 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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)
- $1.9 million spent. In 2021, with fresh leadership at its helm, the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts reopened its doors to students, and welcomed a new generation of success. Under the guidance of a Board of Trustees that has clarified and sharpened the Academys mission, Artistic Direction that is inspiring a new generation of students and a Sculpture program that is the realization of the original vision of the Academys founder, sculptor Elisabeth Gordon Chandler. Artistic directors, Jordan Sokol and Amaya Gurpide have generated interest in the programs of the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts that has grown steadily over the last four years.Recent major gifts have provided support to the endowment of three faculty chair positions, significant capital projects, general operating needs, and have provided the Academy with stability and growth. Key new positions, including the Charlotte Colby Danly Sculpture Chair, Managing Director, and additional staff and faculty have also contributed to growth. The Academys rebirth is evident in the increasing number of students attending, which has met and exceeded the targets set in its multi-year strategic plan. Full-time enrollment has grown from 12 students in 2021-2022, to 44 in 2024-2025, and 53 STUDENTS IN THIS ACADEMIC YEAR. The Academy is limiting its growth to roughly ten additional new students per year, which allows for a high degree of selectivity in admissions as the program grows towards its full enrollment target of 80 students in the 2028-29 academic year. The Academy also serves hundreds of students through Youth Programs, Continuing Education, Workshops and guest lectures.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1991.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.