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Athens Cultural Arts Center Inc

EIN 20-1126678 · Athens, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Athens Cultural Center enriches the quality of life in and around Athens through community events-including concerts, annual block party, and the annual Athens Victorian Stroll, year-round art exhibitions, and educational programs for all ages.

Income
$256,492
Spending
$239,154
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
-4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
0
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$49,392, executive director

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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (3)
  1. $45,088 spent. Throughout 2025, Athens Cultural Center presented a variety of free community events that fostered civic engagement, celebrated local culture, and increased access to the arts. Signature programs included the free Summer Music Series, monthly First Friday events, the Annual Block Party, Community Day, the Athens Street Festival, and the Annual Athens Victorian Stroll. These events brought together residents and visitors of all ages through live music, visual arts, family activities, local history, and community partnerships, strengthening cultural participation and contributing to the vitality of downtown Athens. Collectively, these events welcomed thousands of residents and visitors throughout the year, supporting community engagement and local economic activity.
  2. $64,016 spent. The Athens Cultural Center presented ten free exhibitions during 2025 featuring the work of regional and emerging artists, community members, and K-12 students. The exhibition program included member-artist and invitational shows, thematic exhibitions, and a collaborative exhibition developed in partnership with Greene Land Trust that explored the intersection of art, local history, and the natural environment. Highlights included Esperanza, Hope: Portraits of Migration and Change in Athens, NY, which documented local immigrant stories through portraiture and oral histories. Two curated shows: Material Girl, curated by Lisa Corinne Davis, featuring abstract painter mentors including Lynda Beglis, Brenda Goodman, and Nanette Carter, and their prodigies; and Goddess: Origins of Wonder, curated by filmmaker Niva Dorell, which explored feminine identities in the 21st century and included Erika DeVries and Portia Munson along with regional artists. Together, these exhibitions expanded public access to the visual arts while supporting artists through exhibition opportunities, public engagement, and educational programming.
  3. $23,903 spent. ACC provided year-round on-site and off-site arts education programs serving 1,558 participants, including 760 youth, through classes, workshops, lectures, and community art experiences led by professional teaching artists. Educational offerings included free youth programs, after-school classes at the local library, a summer arts program presented in partnership with the Village of Athens Summer Recreation Program, and ongoing monthly community art programs offered on a sliding-scale basis. Adult workshops were offered at reduced rates to ensure affordability and expand access to the arts. Through partnerships with local schools, libraries, municipalities, and community organizations, Athens Cultural Center provided inclusive opportunities for children, families, adults, and seniors to engage in creative learning, artistic expression, and lifelong education.

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 May 2005.

    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.