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The Desert Biennial

EIN 30-0852223 · Palm Springs, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak15 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE DESERT BIENNIAL PRODUCES AND PRESENTS INTERNATIONAL SITE SPECIFIC ART EXHIBITS IN DESERT LANDSCAPES. THE EXHIBITIONS FEATURE ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE WHO FOCUS ATTENTION ON SOCIETAL ISSUES THROUGH THEIR WORK. THE ORGANIZATION CREATES AND PRESENTS CONCURRENTLY FREE EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN THAT ENHANCES THE EXPLICATES THE ARTWORKS.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
-0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
8
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$143,457, 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

Weak: 15 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 116% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 97% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $3.3 million spent. THE DESERT BIENNIAL PRODUCES AND PRESENTS INTERNATIONAL SITE SPECIFIC ART EXHIBITS IN DESERT LANDSCAPES. THE EXHIBITIONS FEATURE ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE WHO FOCUS ATTENTION ON SOCIETAL ISSUES THROUGH THEIR WORK. THE ORGANIZATION CREATES AND PRESENTS CONCURRENTLY FREE EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN THAT ENHANCES THE EXPLICATES THE ARTWORKS. FISCAL YEAR 2024 ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON PREPARATION OF AND ENSURING THE SUCCESSFUL PRESENTATION OF THE FREE PUBLIC ART EXHIBIT TO BE PRESENTED IN FY 2025. ADDITIONALLY, ART EDUCATION CLASSES WERE CONDUCTED AT SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE DESERT SANDS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

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 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 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 April 2015.

    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.