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South Shore Arts Inc

EIN 23-7049722 · Munster, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROMOTION OF THE ARTS ACROSS THE REGION TO TRANSOFRM LIVES AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES.

Income
$991,540
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
11.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 43%
Employees
18
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$135,397, executive director - through 6.1.25

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: 79 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 of 26 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (3)
  1. $297,635 spent. ARTS EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND FEE-FOR-SERVICE PROGRAMS LIKE OUR "EVERYKID" OUTREACH (3,000+ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS) AS WELL AS OUR FAMILY ARTS FEST (500+ FAMILY MEMBER ATTENDEES) AND OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS, TEEN ARTS BOARD PROGRAM, PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL NFPS, SEMI-MONTHLY ART IN FOCUS ART APPRECIATION LECTURES (1,600 ATTENDEES ANNUALLY), AND OUR REGULAR STUDIO CLASSES (1,000+ ENROLLED ART STUDENTS EACH YEAR).
  2. $130,576 spent. EXHIBITIONS OF ART, ARTISTS, AND CULTURES IN AS MANY AS 5 DIFFERENT GALLERY SPACES HOUSING OVER 20 DIFFERENT EXHIBITIONS LAST YEAR.
  3. $200,477 spent. SINCE 1997, THE ORGANIZATION HAS SERVED AS A REGIONAL ARTS PARTNER OF THE INDIANA ARTS COMMISSION, PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION, AND REFERRAL SERVICES AND GRANT-MAKING IN LAKE, PORTER, AND LAPORTE COUNTIES. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION, AND REFERRAL SERVICES TO OTHER ARTS ORGANIZATIONS INDEPENDENT OF THE INDIANA ARTS COMMISSION PARTNERSHIP.

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 1970.

    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.