Duke Ellington School of the Arts Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
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
TO NURTURE AND INSPIRE PASSION FOR THE ARTS AND LEARNING IN TALENTED STUDENTS WHO MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR ARTISTIC SKILLS; TO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AND/OR CAREERS IN THE ARTS BY OFFERING AN INTENSIVE ARTS-BASED PROGRAM; AND TO PREPARE OUR STUDENTS TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS IN OUR GLOBAL SOCIETY THROUGH OUR STRONG FOCUS ON COMMUNITY SERVICE.
- Income
- $15.6 million
- Spending
- $16.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- -1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 86%
- Employees
- 146
- Volunteers
- 280
- Highest pay
- $324,979, principal & head of school
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 112% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 12 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 September 30, 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)
- $6.7 million spent. ARTS PROGRAM - THE ARTS DEPARTMENT PROVIDES A THOROUGH AND COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PLATFORM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THEY WILL PURSUE AN ARTISTIC CAREER. CULTIVATING CRITICAL THINKING, ART MAKING, SELF-DISCOVERY, AND TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT ARE ALL OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHOOL'S ARTS CURRICULUM. THE NURTURING ENVIRONMENT AT THE SCHOOL PROMOTES STUDENTS' MASTERY OF THEIR UNIQUE CREATIVE PROCESSES; CREATES OPPORTUNITIES TO COLLABORATE ACROSS DISCIPLINES; AND PROVIDES THE TOOLS AND FOUNDATION NECESSARY FOR THE STUDENTS TO SHAPE THEIR OWN CAREERS. WHETHER THEY DECIDE TO PURSUE COLLEGE DEGREES OR GO DIRECTLY FOR PROFESSIONAL ARTS OPPORTUNITIES, THE SCHOOL'S STUDENTS GROW THROUGH INTENSIVE TRAINING AND NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO EXHIBIT THEIR ARTWORK AS WELL AS TO PERFORM, PUBLISH, AND DOCUMENT THEIR EXPERIENCES.
- $4.6 million spent. ACADEMICS PROGRAM - RANKED AS ONE OF D.C. PUBLIC SCHOOLS' HIGHEST PERFORMING HIGH SCHOOLS, THE SCHOOL PROVIDES AN ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT THAT ENABLES STUDENTS TO FOCUS THEIR EFFORTS ON STRIVING TO ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS. AS A RESULT, 98% OF THE STUDENTS GRADUATE ON TIME, AND MANY OF THEM ARE ACCEPTED INTO COLLEGES ANNUALLY.
- $1.3 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES PROGRAM - THE SCHOOL PROVIDES SUPPORT SERVICES TO ITS STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, INCLUDING TUTORING, COUNSELING, CAREER COACHING, AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 2025.
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 July 2000.
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.