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National Academy of Design

EIN 13-1628183 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 94 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN IS TO PROMOTE THE FINE ARTS IN AMERICA THROUGH EXHIBITION AND EDUCATION.

Income
$6.1 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 93%
Employees
14
Volunteers
23
Highest pay
$200,789, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 343% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 94 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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 June 30, 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)
  1. $2.0 million spent. ART EXHIBITIONS:SINCE 1825, THE NATIONAL ACADEMY HAS ORGANIZED SCHOLARLY AND EXCITING EXHIBITIONS OF AMERICAN ART AND ARCHITECTURE THAT FOCUS ON THE WORK OF INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS AND ARCHITECTS IN ITS MEMBERSHIP, AS WELL AS EXPLORE RELEVANT, CURRENT IMPORTANT THEMES, EVENTS, AND ISSUES. IN FY2024, WE SHOWED FOUR EXHIBITIONS, INCLUDING "DRAWING AS PRACTICE," "SITES OF IMPERMANENCE," "AS TOLD BY ITS MAKERS: RECENT ACQUISITIONS OF CONTEMPORARY ART, AND "191ST ANNUAL: ACADEMY STYLE." COLLECTIONS:THE NATIONAL ACADEMY MAINTAINS A COLLECTION OF NEARLY 8,000 WORKS OF AMERICAN ART AND ARCHITECTURE IN ADDITION TO A HISTORIC ARCHIVE OF RECORDS, DOCUMENTS, AND EPHEMERA RELATED TO THE ACADEMY'S HISTORY AND MEMBERSHIP. IN FY2024, THE ACADEMY ADDED 30 ADDITIONAL WORKS TO ITS COLLECTION.PUBLIC PROGRAMS:WE PROVIDE PUBLIC AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO ACCOMPANY AND PROVIDE CONTEXT FOR EXHIBITIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AT THE NATIONAL ACADEMY. SOME PROGRAMS FROM FY2024 INCLUDED A SERIES TO ACCOMPANY THE EXHIBITION, "DRAWING AS PRACTICE" TITLED ; A DRAWING WORKSHOP WITH ARTIST JENNY POLAK; AND A SERIES OF ARCHITECTURE TALKS AND PANELS WITH NATIONAL ACADEMICIAN ARCHITECT MEMBERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, 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 June 2024.

    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 1935.

    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.

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