Museum of Human Achievement
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Museum of Human Achievement (MoHA) provides affordable space and public programs for artists and audiences, supporting the creation and presentation of new work alongside sustainability for artful lives.
- Income
- $694,453
- Spending
- $788,168
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- -23.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 38%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $65,885, 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
Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 78% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 5 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
- $132,948 spent. AFFORDABLE SPACE | MoHA operates a community arts campus in East Austin providing free and subsidized studio, coworking, exhibition, and event space to artists and arts organizations who have historically lacked access to institutional resources. In 2024, the campus housed 21 artists and 22 arts and social change organizations and supported work across disciplines including digital art, film, dance, sculpture, writing, and civic engagement. Programs are offered free of charge or at low cost to maintain broad access and affordability.
- $272,892 spent. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | MoHA's professional development programs support artists through skills-building, peer learning, and direct access to subject-matter experts, with topics driven by community-identified need. In 2024, MoHA's grant-focused workshops and co-learning programs supported artists applying for local, regional and national opportunities and grants, resulting in $2.2 million in funding awarded to participants, with approximately 80% being first-time grant applicants. MoHA also provides no-fee fiscal sponsorship to support projects that lack access to traditional institutional infrastructure.
- $205,832 spent. EXHIBITIONS, PERFORMANCES, RESIDENCIES | MoHA presented experimental exhibitions, live performances, and artist residencies on its East Austin campus, prioritizing paid opportunities and public access. In 2024, MoHA presented 157 public events attended by 25,773 people and directly compensated artists and organizers over $297,000 for their participation. Residencies and presentations supported artists working across mediums including visual art, net art, film, performance, theater, dance, music, and writing.
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 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 December 2024.
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 April 2018.
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.