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Passes our checks

Southern Hills Arts Council

EIN 31-1041788 · Jackson, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 35% of its spending went to programs.

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

What it says it does

Southern Hills Arts Council is working to enhance the quality of life in the region by encouraging and stimulating the practice and appreciation of the arts. We promote an appreciation for the arts, promote the arts, and provide opportunities for artists in southern Ohio.

Income
$121,972
Spending
$124,500
Spent on programs
35%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 62%
Employees
4
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$15,000, director of operations

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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    35% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (6)
  1. $9,271 spent. Foothills Art Festival provides an environment to encourage promotion of and sale of works by professional and amateur artists. Promoting local and regional artists and their works to the local community and the region, including field trips by school arts and non-art groups. The festival encourages participation beyond artists by involving volunteers from set-up through tear-down.
  2. Evening with the Arts is a community event designed to promote the arts - visual, music, drama and more - to the public through a themed evening event. Guests can participate in a variety of levels of fundraising from chance auctions to live auction of donated artwork.
  3. $877 spent. Art Classes provide a means of expanding student knowledge of techniques and styles. Various instructors provide instruction at a variety of levels to meet the needs of students and interests.
  4. $30,430 spent. Performance Events provide a means for a variety of performers from within and beyond the region to showcase their talents to the Southern Ohio audience. The Southern Hills Arts Council seeks to book artists with a wide range of cultural and cross-genre talents to serve a wide range of audiences.
  5. $1,539 spent. "Movies at the Markay" & "Movies at Manpower" provide community events centered around films. The movies provide a platform to bring community members together for an afternoon or evening of celebration. Movies at the Markay are held in-house and the Movies at Manpower are outdoors at the community park. Coordinating with the local "First Thursday" Sidewalk Market and other events to support the event theme with added value of a movie.
  6. $1,131 spent. Gallery Events provide a means for visual artists from within and beyond the region to showcase their talents to a Southern Ohio audience with professional displays. Southern Hills Arts Council strives to book visual artists with a wide range of techniques, media, and means of expression to serve a wide range of audiences.

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 November 6, 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 October 1982.

    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 November 4, 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.