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Building for the Arts Ny Inc

EIN 13-2852371 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO THE PERFORMING ARTS BY PROVIDING CREATIVE SPACE, LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND HUBS FOR ARTISTIC CONNECTION.

Income
$5.3 million
Spending
$18.7 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
-2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 55%
Employees
60
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$261,780, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 51% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 254% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 11 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 December 31, 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 (5)
  1. $13.3 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROMOTES COMMUNITY RENEWAL WITHIN NEW YORK CITY THROUGH DIRECT INITIATIVES AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
  2. $2.5 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES THEATRE ROW - AN OFF-BROADWAY MULTI-THEATRE COMPLEX IN THE HEART OF THE THEATRE DISTRICT IN NEW YORK CITY. IT SERVES AS AN AFFORDABLE HOME FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND A LIVELY, ACCESSIBLE VENUE FOR DIVERSE AUDIENCES.
  3. $834,654 spent. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES MUSIC AND THE BRAIN, A NATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE-BASED PROGRAM THAT BRINGS MUSIC LITERACY CURRICULUM AND CLASSROOM KEYBOARD INSTRUCTION TO SCHOOLS WITH UNDERSERVED STUDENTS, HELPING THEM BUILD COGNITIVE, ATTENTION AND FINE MOTOR SKILLS TO SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY AND IN LIFE.
  4. $557,615 spent. AMERICAN PLAYWRITING FOUNDATION ADMINISTERS AND OPERATES THE RELENTLESS AWARD. IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN HONOR OF PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN AND HIS PURSUIT OF TRUTH IN THEATRE. AWARDS ARE ALSO GRANTED TO NEW MUSICALS IN HONOR OF PROLIFIC SONGWRITER ADAM SCHLESINGER.
  5. AMERICAN PLAYWRITING FOUNDATION ADMINISTERS AND OPERATES THE RELENTLESS AWARD. 557615. 1000000. 0.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 December 2024.

    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 June 1977.

    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.