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The Center for Architecture Inc

EIN 22-3047700 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CENTER FOR ARCHITECTURE IS THE LEADING CULTURAL VENUE FOR ARCHITECTURE AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN NEW YORK CITY, INFORMED BY THE COMPLEXITY OF THE CITY'S URBAN FABRIC AND IN DIALOGUE WITH THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY. WE WERE FOUNDED BY AND SHARE A HOME WITH THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS NEW YORK (AIANY) AND HAVE THE UNIQUE ADVANTAGE OF DRAWING UPON THE IDEAS AND EXPERIENCES OF PRACTICING ARCHITECTS TO PRODUCE EXHIBITIONS, PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND DESIGN EDUCATION EXPERIENCES FOR K-12 YOUTH AND FAMILIES. OUR MISSION IS TO EDUCATE A BROAD AUDIENCE ABOUT THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND THE VALUE OF CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE IN URBAN LIFE.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
23
Volunteers
37
Highest pay
$247,520, 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    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 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 (1)
  1. $2.0 million spent. -EDUCATION:LEARNING BY DESIGN: NY PROVIDES IN-SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN RESIDENCY PROGRAMS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS FOR NYC STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, USING ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN TO ENRICH THE K-12 CURRICULUM AND DEVELOP PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS. PROGRAMS AT THE CENTER INCLUDES DESIGN WORKSHOPS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS, YOUTH, AND ADULTS AT THE CENTER FOR ARCHITECTURE. PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, DURING SCHOOL VACATION PERIODS AND ON EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.-EXHIBITIONS & PUBLIC PROGRAMS:CENTER FOR ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITIONS ARE DESIGNED TO ENGAGE THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND DESIGN PROFESSIONALS IN CURRENT TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM. FREE ACCESS TO GALLERIES AND LECTURES OFFER THE OPPORTUNITYTO ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT.-SCHOLARSHIPS:THE CENTER ALSO OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUALLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS SELECTION PROCESSES.

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 March 1967.

    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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