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Arts Council for Wyoming County

EIN 16-1065245 · Perry, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To bring art to the people and people to the arts by:- Providng services to artists - Fostering connections between artists and community - Offering a safe space for all people to express self and art

Income
$545,052
Spending
$567,270
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 88%
Employees
10
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$40,658, former executive director

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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 37% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $444,980 spent. The organization traditionally creates opportunities for the local community to engage in arts programs including concerts, workshops, films, and the receipt of community art grants. This category of programs is in addition to the annual letchworth arts & crafts show & sale whiich is classifed as a fundraiser but more important, provides significant artistic exposure to approz. 70,000 people.
  2. FOLK ARTS GLOW TRADITIONS SUPPORTS OUR AREA'S LIVING CULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH DOCUMENTATION AND PUBLIC PROGRAMMING OF TRADITIONAL ARTS. IT OPERATES COLLABORATIVELY AMONG THE ARTS COUNCIL OF WYOMING COUNTY, GENESEE VALLEY COUNCIL ON THE ARTS, AND THE GENESEE-ORLEANS REGIONAL ARTS COUNCIL. THIS REGIONAL PROGRAM HAS BEEN LED SINCE 1997 BY FOUNDING DIRECTOR, KAREN CANNING. ALTHOUGH THE "OUR FARMS, OUR FAMILIES" GRANT PROJECT WAS A 2019 INITIATIVE, PORTIONS OF THE PROJECT WERE NOT EXECUTED UNTIL 2020 INCLUDING THE PRODUCTION OF A NEW BOOK THAT FEATURES THE WORK OF 10 ARTISTS WHO WERE COMMISSIONED TO CREATE NEW ART THAT DOCUMENT THE FARMING CULTURE IN WYOMING COUNTY. THE GRANT PROJECT WILL CULMINATE IN 2021. THIS GRANT WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE FINGER LAKES REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (REDC). SECURING MULTIPLE GRANTS FOR THE RURAL COMMUNITY WE SERVE. GRANTS RECEIVED FROM THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS (NYSCA), WYOMING COUNTY GOV., WYOMING FOUNDATION / COMMUNITY FOR GREATER BUFFALO, MARY CONABLE FOUNDATION, CONABLE FAMILY FOUNDATION, AND MORE.
  3. STATE COMMUNITY REGRANTS (SCR) - THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES REGRANT FUNDS TO INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS AND SMALLER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE DEC PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAMS AT LOW OR NO COST WITHIN EACH COMMUNITY; SPECIFICALLY, TO SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS AND THOSE DEVELOPING PROGRAMMING BY HELPING TO DEVELOP AND PRESENT THOSE PROGRAMS. AS A RESULT OF THE COVID -19 PANDEMIC, MOST OF THE PLANNED PROGRAMS WERE PRESENTED IN A VIRTUAL FORMAT. HENCE, NO RECORD OF IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WERE AVAILABLE FOR THIS REPORT.

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 July 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.