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Baum School of Art

EIN 23-1607174 · Allentown, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BAUM SCHOOL OF ART'S MISSION IS ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH ARTS EDUCATION. THE BAUM SCHOOL OF ART IS A COMMUNITY SCHOOL DEDICATED TO PROVIDING INSTRUCTION, GUIDANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, AND ADULTS TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF TECHNICAL, PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL, CREATIVE AND EMOTIONAL POTENTIAL THROUGH THE STUDY OF VISUAL ARTS. THE SCHOOL VALUES THE DIVERSTIY OF ITS POPULATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO GENDER, CREED, SOCIAL STATUS OR RACE. THE MISSION IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
10.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
55
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$111,959, 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: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 57% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 102% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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 (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. THE BAUM SCHOOL OF ART SERVED A TOTAL OF 4,404 STUDENTS IN 2024-2025 THROUGH OVER 300 CLASSES IN DRAWING, PAINTING, CERAMICS, SCULPTURE, JEWELRY AND METALSMITHING, FASHION DESIGN, GRAPHIC DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION, PASTELS, AND OTHERS, WITH 3,729 STUDENT PARTICIPATING ON-SITE AND 675 STUDENTS OFF-SITE. THE SCHOOL REACHED A TOTAL OF 1,946 LEHIGH VALLEY RESIDENTS THROUGH OUTREACH PROGRAMS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION TO ITS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, THE BAUM SCHOOL OF ART'S DAVID E. RODALE AND RODALE FAMILY GALLERIES HOLD SEVERAL GALLEY EXHIBITIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND FEATURE REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS, AS WELL AS STUDENT WORK AND JURIED EXHIBITIONS.

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 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 June 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 October 1951.

    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.