Friends of the Musees Des Arts Decoratifs
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE FRIENDS MISSION IS TO FOSTER THE APPRECIATION AND CONSERVATION OF THE DECORATIVE ARTS. IN CARRYING OUT ITS MISSION, THE FRIENDS SUPPORTS THE PRESERVATION, RESTORATION AND EXHIBITION OF, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS REGARDING IMPORTANT EXAMPLES OF INTERIOR DESIGN, FURNITURE, TEXTILES, FASHION, GRAPHIC ARTS, DECORATIVE PAINTING, ART GLASS, JEWELRY, PORCELAIN AND OTHER DECORATIVE AND USEFUL OBJECTS, INCLUDING BY SUPPORTING THE ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS OF LES ARTS DECORATIFS.
- Income
- $2.7 million
- Spending
- $2.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- 6.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $55,000, exec direct, asst secy & a
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 139% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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)
- $2.0 million spent. GRANTS PROVIDED DURING THE YEAR TO THE MUSEE DES ARTS DECORATIFS (PARIS, FRANCE) IN ORDER TO FUND THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS:1. $431,500 CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE PAUL POIRET: FASHION IS A FEAST EXHIBITION.2. $126,500 CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS BOARD MEMBERS.3. $1,434,771 FUND RAISING TO SUPPORT THE BAL D' ETE TO BE HELD ON JULY 6, 2025 LE BAL D'ETE (FRENCH FOR "SUMMER BALL") IS AN EXCLUSIVE, BLACK-TIE FUNDRAISING GALA HELD AT THE MUSEE DES ARTS DECORATIFS (MAD) IN PARIS, DESIGNED TO CELEBRATE THE ARTS AND COINCIDE WITH HAUTE COUTURE WEEK. INAUGURATED ON JULY 6, 2025, AND ART-DIRECTED BY SOFIA COPPOLA, THE EVENT FEATURES A LAVISH, ROMANTIC THEME MERGING FASHION, DESIGN, AND CINEMA.
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 October 13, 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 November 1999.
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 October 21, 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.