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Berks Arts Council

EIN 23-7366925 · Reading, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE BERKS ARTS COUNCIL IS TO INSPIRE, ENGAGE AND UNITE OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH ARTS EDUCATION, COLLABORATION, AND PRESENTATION.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 58%
Employees
3
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$99,656, executive director as of june

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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 58% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

    11 of 11 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 (4)
  1. $1.4 million spent. JAZZ PROGRAMMING - BERKS JAZZ FEST IS ONE OF THE LARGEST FESTIVALS OF ITS KIND IN THE NATION, BERKS JAZZ FEST BRINGS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JAZZ ENTHUSIASTS TO GREATER READING EACH SPRING TO ENJOY MORE THAN 40 MAJOR CONCERTS OVER THE COURSE OF TEN JAZZ-FILLED DAYS. IN ADDITION, BERKS ARTS COUNCIL HELD THE ART OF JAZZ: THE VISUAL ART COMPONENT OF BERKS JAZZ FEST, FEATURING A JURIED EXHIBITION WITH JAZZ/MUSIC-INSPIRED ARTWORK FROM REGIONAL ARTISTS IN ALL MEDIUMS. GETJAZZED EDUCATION: GETJAZZED EDUCATION WAS REBRANDED IN 2022 TO ALIGN MORE CLOSELY WITH THE BERKS JAZZ FEST. THE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO STRIVE TO INSPIRE STUDENT MUSICIANS TO EXPLORE JAZZ AS MUSICIANS, SUPPORTERS, AND ENTHUSIASTS THROUGH MEMORABLE JAZZ EDUCATION EXPERIENCES. ADDITIONALLY, THE GETJAZZED EDUCATION PROGRAM GREW IN SCOPE TO INCLUDE A NEW "JAM ON THE ROAD" INITIATIVE IN PHILADELPHIA, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOST VENUE, SETTLEMENT MUSIC SCHOOL.
  2. $171,571 spent. READING BLUES FEST: AN ANNUAL WEEKEND CELEBRATION OF TRADITIONAL BLUES AND ITS CONTEMPORARY SUBGENRES, HELD EACH NOVEMBER.
  3. $268,647 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS - VARIOUS WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE ARTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN BERKS COUNTY. EVENTS INCLUDED SPECIAL CONCERTS AND EXIBITIONS HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASONARTS ROUNDTABLE: A BI-MONTHLY PROGRAM FOR LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND ARTISTS TO MEET, SHARE IDEAS, DISCUSS CURRENT TRENDS/PROGRAMS AND FUNDING. SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SCHEDULE O.PENNSYLVANIA PARTNERS IN THE ARTS: 30 CREATIVE SECTOR FLEX FUND GRANTS TOTALING $150,000 AND 30 GRANTS TOTALING $60,000 FOR THE CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR ACCELERATOR PROGRAM FOR BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURS IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES.FAST LANE ART: A CELEBRATION OF PUBLIC ART AND ART EDUCATION, IN WHICH BERKS ARTS WORKS WITH LOCAL PROPERTY OWNERS TO DISPLAY STUDENT ARTWORK IN UNIQUE PUBLIC SETTINGS.SUMMER FEST: ARTS PARTNERS WITH FIRST ENERGY STADIUM AND THE CITY OF READING AND COUNTY OF BERKS TO HOST FREE WEEKEND OF COMMUNITY CONCERTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN EACH SUMMER AT THE READING PHILLIES HOME STADIUM.BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2022, A PARTNERSHIP WAS FORMED WITH MUSIC EDUCATORS OF BERKS COUNTY (MEBC) FOR BERKS ARTS TO PRODUCE/PRESENT SCHOLASTIC MUSIC FESTIVALS FOR THE COHORT OF TEACHERS, RESULTING IN PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE THAN 1,200 STUDENTS GRADES 6- 12 COUNTYWIDE IN THE AREAS OF BAND, CHORUS, AND ORCHESTRA.
  4. $39,867 spent. BANDSHELL CONCERTS - ARTS PARTNERS WITH THE CITY OF READING AND COUNTY OF BERKS TO HOST FREE COMMUNITY CONCERTS EACH SUMMER AT THE CITY PARK BANDSHELL.

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 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 June 1974.

    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 October 21, 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.