The Art Garage
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Art Garage's mission is to offer visual arts-based programs that inspire, empower, and promote creative self-expression by people of all ages and backgrounds. On-site and off-site studio workshops and exhibitions engage the greater Denver community and outreach is provided to those who are underserved and marginalized to ensure the artistic process is fully accessible and inclusive.
- Income
- $935,841
- Spending
- $959,722
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 67%
- Employees
- 33
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $88,125, interim executive director
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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 31 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 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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 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 (6)
- $595,256 spent. Art classes are taught on and off-site to children, teens and adults awakening and encouraging their creativity. $32,128.00 of scholarships were provided for students demonstrating financial need.
- $58,770 spent. The Art Garage provides art classes to public schools with high numbers of children qualifying for free or reduced lunches with little or no cost to families. Some of these programs are grant funded.
- $19,399 spent. The Art Garage Community Engagement Programs (CEP) support creative expression within individuals and communities by providing art based workshops that heal, inspire and empower people who are underserved or with developmental, intellectual, mental or physical disabilities. The Art Garage has successfully collaborated with schools, disability organizations, behavioral health partners, residential treatment centers and day habilitation programs. Workshops are conducted in a safe and nonjudgmental environment on site at our studio or at a partner location, encouraging exploration and experimentation of art materials and the discovery of one's unique visual language with the intention of improving self esteem, identity and personal transformation through creative self expression.
- $14,267 spent. The Art Garage helps schools provide enrichment to the school's students by providing high quality tuition based after school and summer art classes.
- $32,128 spent. A limited number of scholarships are made available to students in on-site classes that demonstrate financial need.
- $7,421 spent. The Art Garage enriches community events with fun and artful activities.
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2010.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.