Moore College of Art and Design
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Moore is dedicated to excellence in art and design. Founded in 1848, Moore is the first and only visual arts college for women in the US. With its undergraduate BFA degree for women and coeducational graduate programs, Moore cultivates creativity, promotes scholarship and prepares students for careers in the arts by emphasizing critical thinking, problem solving, risk-taking, and strong communication skills. Moore is dedicated to producing graduates who distinguish themselves as leaders. As a cultural leader, Moore promotes the arts in the broader community. The Galleries at Moore present work of significant regional, national and international artists to the community through distinctive exhibitions and educational programs. The Continuing Education programs provide opportunities for men and women to learn new skills for personal and professional growth. Moore's acclaimed Young Artists Workshop, founded in 1922, enriches the lives of children and youth through creative arts education.
- Income
- $44.2 million
- Spending
- $34.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 66%
- Employees
- 472
- Volunteers
- 19
- Highest pay
- $494,316, president/ board administration
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $28.4 million spent. Higher Education: Moore enrolls approximately 400 students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program with an 8:1 student student/faculty ratio. Moore cultivates each student's creative talents and provides the technical and professional skills essential to building a successful career in the visual arts. Students learn from award-winning, professionally active faculty who bring real-world knowledge and expertise into the classroom and encourage excellence, creative exploration and self-expression to prepare students for leadership in their chosen field. Moore offers majors in Animation & Game Arts, Art Education, Curatorial Studies, Entertainment Design, Fashion Design, Film & Digital Cinema, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Design and Photography & Digital Arts. Moore also offers students an array of minors that complement their course of study and allow them to advance their interests in support of their artistic and professional goals. Moore requires internships in all its undergraduate majors with the exception of Art Education, which has a student teaching requirement. Beginning in 2010, the College provides all students with an Internship Fellowship. Moore is committed to providing undergraduate women with distinctive leadership opportunities.
- $479,203 spent. Higher Education: Graduate Programs: MA in Art Education with an Emphasis in Inclusive Practices, MA in Art Education with an Emphasis in Inclusive Practices + Pre-K-12 Art Teacher Certification, and PB Pre-K-12 Art Teacher Certification. After months of planning, Moore announced in summer 2008 the creation of three unique new graduate programs designed to prepare motivated men and women with the skills, knowledge and resources to become professional artists, designers and teachers. The program is low-residency, recognizes the critical value of professional exposure and requires a field practicum, internship or international studio residency. Programs emphasize critical thinking, innovation and synthesis of theory and practice. Self-directed research and rigorous inquiry are key components. Candidates work closely with professionally active faculty artists, educators and designers, as well as work independently with professionals in the field. The program hosts an annual symposium featuring guest speakers of national and international significance, focusing on contemporary issues. The program features summer intensive, evening and weekend year-round scheduling that are well suited for working adults seeking to acquire new skills and perspectives in their current studio, design or teaching practices. Programs began in May 2009.
- $749,875 spent. Continuing Education and Youth Programs Moore offers certificate programs as well as single credit and non-credit courses for men and women who want to learn new skills, advance their careers or simply learn for their own personal enrichment and fulfillment. Offered during the evening and weekend hours on Moore's campus, continuing education courses are available in digital media, digital photography, fashion, interior decorating and the fine arts. Courses combine a flexible and dynamic approach to learning while remaining grounded in the time-honored strengths of Moore's BFA programs and award-winning faculty, who are committed to sharing their expertise and bringing real world experience into the classroom. Approximately 100 adults enroll in Moore's continuing education courses each year. Moore's Teachers Summer Institute is designed to enhance the culture of teaching and to empower learning in and through visual art. A professionally directed program of studio-based workshops offers educators the opportunity to expand studio skills, deepen personal direction, and discover new applications in educational practice. Moore offers a full range of educational programs for boys and girls grades 1-12, from its historic Young Artists Workshop to its innovative Summer Art & Design Institute for High School Women. Established in 1922, the Young Artists Workshop (YAW) enables young people to have direct involvement with art making, encourages self-directed learning, and enables authentic learning experiences. The YAW program serves approximately 400 boys and girls each year. YAW classes are ongoing and are scheduled for ten Saturdays in the fall and ten Saturdays in the spring. In summer, Moore offers single day and one-week programs for students in grades 8 -12, Monday through Friday and on Saturdays. A variety of classes are offered, introducing students to the joy of creative exploration and developing their artistic skills through a range of media and techniques. The Summer Art & Design Institute for High School Women (SADI) is a four-week pre-college residential program open to young women who have just completed their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school. The Institute allows dedicated students who are passionate about their artwork to spend four weeks developing their skills as artists and designers. Upon successful completion of the program, students will earn 3.0 college credits. Students choose a studio concentration emphasizing Fine Arts, Fashion Design, or Digital Animation. Each week of the program includes three days immersed in the studio concentration, as well as two days in the intensive portfolio development program: basic drawing, life drawing and two-dimensional design. All of these subjects are designed to prepare students for the college admissions process. Students are taught and guided by exceptional faculty who are professionals in their fields and committed to sharing their knowledge of art and design. Additionally, students benefit from required activities such as artists' studio tours, museum and gallery visits and other exciting cultural events that expose them to the larger arts community in Philadelphia.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1934.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.