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Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance Inc

EIN 13-2571063 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DEDICATED TO PRESERVING MARTHA GRAHAM'S LEGACY AND PERFORMING HER WORK WITH EXCELLENCE, CREATING AND PRESENTING NEW DANCE WORKS, SUPPORTING THE NON-PROFIT DANCE FIELD THROUGH REHEARSAL AND PRODUCTION SUPPORT, ENCOURAGING YOUNG ARTISTS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS, AND MAINTAINING THE GRAHAM ARCHIVE. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE OPERATION OF SCHOOL, PRODUCTION OF DIGITAL AND LIVE PERFORMANCES, TOURING, AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT FOR MARTHA GRAHAM.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
155
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$208,317, executive director

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 54% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 25

    17 of 19 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, 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. $3.2 million spent. THE MARTHA GRAHAM CENTER OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE PROVIDES THE MARTHA GRAHAM SCHOOL, MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY, AND MARTHA GRAHAM RESOURCES WITH FUNDRAISING AND MARKETING SUPPORT AND LEGAL, FINANCIAL AND AUDIT SERVICES. THE MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY KEEPS VITAL AND BUILDS UPON MARTHA GRAHAM'S TRANSCENDENT DANCE LANGUAGE BY PERFORMING HER WORK, COMMISSIONING NEW WORKS, REVIVING AND RECONSTRUCTING THE GRAHAM WORKS, DEVELOPING DANCERS IN GRAHAM ARTISTRY AND BRINGING NEW AUDIENCES THROUGHOUT THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY TO THE GRAHAM ART FORM. MARTHA GRAHAM RESOURCES RESTORES AND PRESERVES THE GRAHAM ARCHIVES, DOCUMENTS ONGOING ARTISTIC WORK AND PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES OF THE CENTER. NEW PARTNERSHIPS ARE DEVELOPED WITH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM SERVICES, AND ART INSTITUTIONS. THE COLLECTIONS HELD BY THE ORGANIZATION ARE USED IN THE PRESENTATION AND PERFORMANCE OF MARTHA GRAHAM'S WORKS. THE MARTHA GRAHAM CENTER SUPPORTS ALIGNED ARTS ORGANIZATIONS WITH REHEARSAL, PERFORMANCE, AND EXHIBITION ASSISTANCE.

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

  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 November 6, 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 2025.

    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 May 1953.

    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 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.