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Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts Inc

EIN 20-0198707 · St Petersburg, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO EDUCATE, ENGAGE AND ENTERTAIN EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH THE PERFORMING ARTS, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON CULTURALLY DIVERSE PROGRAMMING.

Income
$6.0 million
Spending
$6.1 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
17
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$117,440, president (thru 4/2025)

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

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 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 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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)
  1. $5.3 million spent. BILL EDWARDS FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS IS A DRIVING FORCE IN SUPPORTING THE PERFORMING ARTS IN ST. PETERSBURG. FOUNDED WITH A COMMITMENT TO ENRICHING THE COMMUNITY, THE FOUNDATION PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN BRINGING WORLD-CLASS ARTISTS TO THE MAHAFFEY THEATER, EXPANDING ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND ENSURING THAT DIVERSE, HIGH-QUALITY PERFORMANCES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. THROUGH GENEROUS DONATIONS, MEMBERSHIPS, AND CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS, WE HAVE PROVIDED THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS WITH EXPOSURE TO THE ARTS, CREATED DYNAMIC OUTREACH PROGRAMS, AND FOSTERED A THRIVING CULTURAL LANDSCAPE. OUR DEDICATION TO EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT, AND ENTERTAINMENT SHAPES THE FUTURE OF THE PERFORMING ARTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. ON AVERAGE, APPROXIMATELY 260 EVENTS ARE HOSTED AT THE THEATER FOR MORE THAN 200,000 VISITORS ANNUALLY.

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

  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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2022 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2022.

    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 June 2025.

    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 September 2023.

    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.