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Tri-County Arts Council Inc

EIN 16-1540493 · Olean, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS

Income
$207,416
Spending
$217,391
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
8
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$53,896, e.d. 2/1-12/31

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 69% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $128,160 spent. TRI-COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL, INC. OFFERS CLASSES TO REGIONAL RESIDENTS, ARTS ENRICHMENT CLASSES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, AND WORKSHOPS TO COMMUNITY GROUPS. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION PRODUCES PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND SALES OPPORTUNITIES FOR REGIONAL ARTISTS. FURTHER, TRI-COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL, INC. PROVIDES INFORMATION SERVICES THROUGH PERIODIC EMAILS AND A FULLY DEVELOPED WEBSITE.
  2. $15,908 spent. COMMUNITY ARTS AND POTTERY STUDIO - CAPS OFFERS A DIVERSE RANGE OF INDEPTH ART INSTRUCTION, RANGING FROM PAINTING AND POTTERY TO JEWELRY DESIGN.
  3. $15,515 spent. THE COUNCIL'S SOUTHERN TIER BIENNIAL EVENT ALLOWS ARTISTS IN THE SOUTHERN TIER TO EXPERIENCE A JURIED ART COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION BIENNIALLY. THIS SHOWCASES THE VITALITY AND DIVERSITY OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS IN NEW YORK STATE'S SOUTHERN TIER REGION.
  4. $5,808 spent. THE COUNCIL'S ARTISAN MARKET SHOWCASES WORKS BY REGIONAL ARTISANS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. IN ADDITION, THE COUNCIL, SPONSORS NUMEROUS ARTIST EXHIBITS IN ITS GALLERY TO PROMOTE THE WORK OF REGIONAL ARTISTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 February 1998.

    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.