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The Appel Farm Arts and Music Center

EIN 22-2235002 · Elmer, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

APPEL FARM ARTS AND MUSIC CENTER PROVIDES PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, CULTURES, AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS WITH A SUPPORTIVE, COOPERATIVE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO EXPLORE THE FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 58%
Employees
146
Volunteers
92

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 20 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.

  • 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 September 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 (4)
  1. $1.1 million spent. APPEL FARM'S RESIDENTIAL SUMMER ARTS CAMP TRANSFORMS THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. WITH A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, AT-RISK YOUTH FROM INNER CITIES SUCH AS NEWARK, CAMDEN, PHILADELPHIA, NEW YORK, AND THE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY REGION JOIN WITH CHILDREN FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS TO RECEIVE HIGH QUALITY ARTS INSTRUCTION FROM ARTS EDUCATORS AND WORKING ARTISTS IN A NON-COMPETITIVE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT.
  2. $750,683 spent. ARTS EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY AND ON-SITE- APPEL FARM PARTNERS WITH REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO OFFER ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING CURRICULAR PARTNERSHIPS, LONG-TERM ARTIST RESIDENCIES, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS. APPEL FARM OFFERS ITS OWN AFTER SCHOOL ARTS PROGRAMS, CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, ARTS RETREATS, FREE EVENTS, AND FESTIVALS.
  3. $38,154 spent. SOCIAL SERVICE ARTS PROGRAMS: APPEL FARM PARTNERS WITH SOCIAL SERVICE AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE ART MAKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR AT-RISK FAMILIES AND UNDER-SERVED YOUTH AND ADULT POPULATIONS FOR THE SAKE OF IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.
  4. $70,621 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING PARTNERING WITH REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO HOLD CONFERENCES, RETREATS AND FESTIVALS ON THE 110 ACRE MODERN FACILITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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? 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 September 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 October 1981.

    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.

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