Clay Studio
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE CLAY STUDIO'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A UNIQUE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO EXPERIENCE THE CERAMIC ARTS; ACCORDINGLY, WE GEAR OUR PROGRAMS TO ALL LEVELS OF INTEREST, PROFICIENCY, AND FINANCIAL MEANS.
- Income
- $6.9 million
- Spending
- $4.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 27.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 68%
- Employees
- 38
- Volunteers
- 23
- Highest pay
- $154,892, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 27.7 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 43% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2523 of 23 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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 (5)
- $1.2 million spent. THE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM, A VITAL CREATIVE ENGINE AT THE CLAY STUDIO, HAS BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF OUR INSTITUTION SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1974. THIS FOUNDATIONAL PROGRAM, PARTIALLY SUPPORTED BY AN ENDOWMENT, OFFERS 12 FUNDED FELLOWSHIPS, STUDIO SPACE, SHARED RESOURCES, AND MENTORING FROM OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF. EACH ARTIST BENEFITS FROM A SOLO EXHIBITION, GROUP EXHIBITIONS, AND PARTICIPATION IN GROUP CRITIQUES AND STUDIO VISITS WITH VISITING ARTISTS AND CURATORS. THIS PROFESSIONAL SPRINGBOARD HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN LAUNCHING THE SUCCESSFUL ARTISTIC CAREERS OF HUNDREDS OF ARTISTS OVER THE PAST 50 YEARS, A TESTAMENT TO THE PROGRAM'S ENDURING IMPACT.
- $709,797 spent. CLAYMOBILE, OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM, BRINGS A "POP-UP" CERAMICS STUDIO TO SCHOOLS, OLDER ADULT FACILITIES, COMMUNITY CENTERS, EVENTS, AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES THROUGHOUT PHILADELPHIA. SINCE 1994, OUR PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS HAVE SERVED 50,000 CHILDREN. THROUGH CLAYMOBILE, WE PROVIDE ARTS EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES THAT USE THE TACTILE MEDIUM OF CLAY TO NURTURE IMAGINATION, CRITICAL THINKING, AND PERSISTENCE. CLAYMOBILE OPERATES ALL YEAR ROUND, ANNUALLY SERVING MORE THAN 6,000 CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND ADULTS VISITING 200 PARTNER SITES ACROSS PHILADELPHIA. ADDITIONALLY, OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES INTRODUCE 15,000 PEOPLE TO THE WORLD OF CERAMICS THROUGH OUR HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT FREE PUBLIC EVENTS AROUND PHILADELPHIA EACH YEAR. THE AFTER-SCHOOL INITIATIVE PROVIDES STUDENTS IN OUR IMMEDIATE COMMUNITY WITH ARTS ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES AND HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE DURING OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME HOURS. THE CLAY STUDIO IS ROOTED IN THE BELIEF THAT PEOPLE DESERVE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY ARTS OPPORTUNITIES, AND THE CLAYMOBILE IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE BRING THEM TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. CLAYMOBILE, OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM, BRINGS A "POP-UP" CERAMICS STUDIO TO SCHOOLS, OLDER ADULT FACILITIES, COMMUNITY CENTERS, EVENTS, AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES THROUGHOUT PHILADELPHIA. SINCE 1994, OUR PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS HAVE SERVED 50,000 CHILDREN. THROUGH CLAYMOBILE, WE PROVIDE ARTS EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES THAT USE THE TACTILE MEDIUM OF CLAY TO NURTURE IMAGINATION, CRITICAL THINKING, AND PERSISTENCE. CLAYMOBILE OPERATES ALL YEAR ROUND, ANNUALLY SERVING MORE THAN 6,000 CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND ADULTS VISITING 200 PARTNER SITES ACROSS PHILADELPHIA. ADDITIONALLY, OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES INTRODUCE 15,000 PEOPLE TO THE WORLD OF CERAMICS THROUGH OUR HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT FREE PUBLIC EVENTS AROUND PHILADELPHIA EACH YEAR. THE AFTER-SCHOOL INITIATIVE PROVIDES STUDENTS IN OUR IMMEDIATE COMMUNITY WITH ARTS ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES AND HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE DURING OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME HOURS. THE CLAY STUDIO IS ROOTED IN THE BELIEF THAT PEOPLE DESERVE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY ARTS OPPORTUNITIES, AND THE CLAYMOBILE IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE BRING THEM TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
- $430,206 spent. THE GALLERY AND EXHIBITIONS PROGRAM AT THE CLAY STUDIO IS A VIBRANT PLATFORM THAT ANNUALLY SHOWCASES THE WORK OF OVER 300 LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL CERAMIC ARTISTS. WE CURATE AND PRESENT MULTIPLE EXHIBITIONS, INCLUDING SOLO AND GROUP SHOWS, IN OUR GALLERIES, AND HOST LECTURES, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, AND ARTIST TALKS. THE GALLERY IS A LEADER IN PRESENTING CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS, ENGAGING AUDIENCES WITH RELEVANT PROGRAMMING, AND CATALOG PUBLISHING. OUR ONLINE LECTURES SERVE AS A PLATFORM FOR ENGAGING DIALOGUE ABOUT CERAMICS. THESE EVENTS CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A BROAD AUDIENCE, FROM PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS TO COLLECTORS TO BEGINNING STUDENTS, TO CELEBRATE TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS IN THOUGHTFUL DIALOGUE, FOSTERING AN INTELLECTUALLY ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT.
- $865,568 spent. THE CLAY STUDIO IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES TO CERAMIC ARTISTS OF ALL LEVELS, FROM BEGINNERS TO HIGHLY EXPERIENCED MAKERS. WE OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF INSTRUCTION, INCLUDING WHEEL-THROWING, HAND- BUILDING, SURFACE DECORATION, SCULPTURE, GLAZING, MOLD-MAKING, AND MORE. OUR CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS, WHICH ENROLL MORE THAN 600 STUDENTS EACH TERM, ARE DESIGNED TO BE INCLUSIVE AND WELCOMING. WE SERVE AS THE PRIMARY STUDIO FOR MORE THAN 40 CERAMIC ARTISTS THROUGH OUR ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AND NEARLY 1/3 OF OUR STUDENTS ARE ADVANCED-LEVEL CERAMIC ARTISTS. WE STRIVE TO CREATE A SUPPORTIVE STUDIO ENVIRONMENT WHERE ARTISTS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES CAN LEARN AND THRIVE, ENSURING THAT EVERYONE FEELS WELCOMED AND VALUED.
- THE CLAY STUDIO IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES TO CERAMIC ARTISTS OF ALL LEVELS, FROM BEGINNERS TO HIGHLY EXPERIENCED MAKERS. WE OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF INSTRUCTION, INCLUDING WHEEL-THROWING, HAND- BUILDING, SURFACE DECORATION, SCULPTURE, GLAZING, MOLD-MAKING, AND MORE. OUR CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS, WHICH ENROLL MORE THAN 600 STUDENTS EACH TERM, ARE DESIGNED TO BE INCLUSIVE AND WELCOMING. WE SERVE AS THE PRIMARY STUDIO FOR MORE THAN 40 CERAMIC ARTISTS THROUGH OUR ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AND NEARLY 1/3 OF OUR STUDENTS ARE ADVANCED-LEVEL CERAMIC ARTISTS. WE STRIVE TO CREATE A SUPPORTIVE STUDIO ENVIRONMENT WHERE ARTISTS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES CAN LEARN AND THRIVE, ENSURING THAT EVERYONE FEELS WELCOMED AND VALUED.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 October 13, 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 May 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 September 1979.
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 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.