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Chautauqua Institution

EIN 16-0758844 · Chautauqua, 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

What it says it does

CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION IS DEDICATED TO THE EXPLORATION IN HUMAN VALUES AND THE ENRICHMENT OF LIFE THROUGH A PROGRAM THAT EXPLORES THE IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL ISSUES OF OUR TIMES.

Income
$63.4 million
Spending
$47.8 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
1,167
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$472,001, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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 (2)
  1. $19.0 million spent. WITH A FOUCUS ON LIFELONG LEARNING, CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION BRINGS TO ITS CONSTITUENTS AND TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES THE PERSPECTIVES AND INNOVATIONS OF THOUGHT AND INTERFAITH LEADERS, CONTEXT EXPERTS, AND RENOWNED PERFORMERS AND PRODIGIES IN THE CONTEXT OF FOUR PILLARS OF FOUCUS: EDUCATION, RELIGION, RECREATION AND THE ARTS. OUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IS CHARACTERIZED BY INTERGENERATIONAL, CIVIL DIALOGUE AND PARTICIPATION. A BROAD RANGE OF PROGRAMS ARE CURATED TO APPEAL TO AN INCREASINGLY DIVERSE AUDIENCE. IN EXCESS OF 4,000 STUDENTS ACROSS GENERATIONS PARTICIPATE IN SPECIAL STUDIES CLASSES EACH YEAR AND MORE THAN 100,000 VISITORS ATTEND OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ANNUALLY. COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO THE SCHOOLS IN SURROUNDING COUNTIES BRINGS THE GIFTS AND INTELLECTS OF OUR LEADERS AND PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATIONS TO AREA SCHOOLS. HUNDREDS OF AREA SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE SERVED ANNUALLY THROUGH SCHOOL BASED PROGRAMS AS WELL AS FIELD TRIPS TO CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION. OUR ONLINE STREAMING CHANNEL, CHQ ASSEMBLY, BRINGS MUCH OF CHAUTAUQUA'S PROGRAMMING TO A NATION-WIDE AUDIENCE, ENHANCING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF CHAUTAUQUA'S MISSION.
  2. $16.3 million spent. SUPPORT SERVICES, BOX OFFICE AND PARKING MUNICIPAL SERVICES WHICH INCLUDE FACILITY MAINTENANCE AND FOOD SERVICE FOR STUDENTS. THESE SERVICES ARE NECESSARY FOR ALL PROGRAM FUNCTION. (100,000+ ARE SERVED)

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 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 December 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 April 1960.

    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.

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.