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Rothko Chapel

EIN 22-7229934 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To steward a reflective space and present programs that promote spirituality, creativity, dialogue, and action leading to more equitable, empowered, and engaged communities.

Income
$4.3 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
25.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
27
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$209,589, executive director

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    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 (4)
  1. $1.7 million spent. The Rothko Chapel hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually from over 100 countries. Visitors are drawn to the Chapel's unique sacred art by Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman, created for contemplation and prayer. The Rothko Chapel is the steward of the artwork, ensuring its upkeep and public accessibility, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Welcome House offers educational materials and media about the Chapel and its mission. The Chapel extends its hospitality by providing a sacred place for personal and private ceremonies and services, including weddings, memorials, and baptisms, celebrating life's passages, as well as faith community services and religious holidays.
  2. $518,937 spent. The Rothko Chapel's public programs provide interactive community education and space for dialogue on critical issues related to the spiritual and physical state of the human condition. Many of our programs integrate spirituality and the arts. Our interfaith dialogue programs are designed to foster interfaith and intercultural understanding, which are critically important in one of the most diverse cities in the United States, and to cultivate peace and cooperation in the community and beyond.
  3. $10,981 spent. The Rothko Chapel Archives act as the organization's institutional memory and provide important insight into the Chapel's unique legacy. This growing collection preserves the organization's history and documents its ongoing impact, particularly in contemporary and sacred art, ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, and international human rights.
  4. Rothko Chapel continued its Opening Spaces capital project to restore the chapel. In addition, it expanded its campus by constructing a new welcome and community engagement center, administrative offices, and library, creating new and enhanced green spaces, building its endowment for ongoing maintenance, and expanding programming.

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? 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 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 December 1972.

    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.