San Francisco International Arts Festival Inc
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
SFIAF produces an annual festival involving multiple artists and arts organizations. Other art events are sponsored throughout the year.
- Income
- $265,831
- Spending
- $283,414
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- -1.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 36%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $70,000, president, 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: 34 out of 100. Higher than 6% 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
0 of 20It owes 127% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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
Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 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 (5)
- $208,910 spent. SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL - The Festival is an annual multidisciplinary performing arts event featuring approximately 50 ensembles, campanies, and individual artists. In 2025 the program continued to be in the the Mission district and took place from April 30th- May 12th. The theme was IN DIASPORA: I.D. for the new majority. There were 3,600 attendees.
- $17,500 spent. WOMEN IN JAZZ & WORLD MUSIC - This program is a vocal training course for teenagers and young adults led by Dr. Dianthe Spencer from San Francisco State University and singer Michelle Jacques. A performance was given on May 2, 2025 at the Capp Street Community Music Center as part of the SF International Arts Festival.
- $38,000 spent. LIFT EVERY VOICE - A series of free music concerts at SF Jazz on Martin Luther King holiday weekend. The music presented was Black and African American music. 300 people attended.
- $1,200 spent. THE LAST SUPPER PARTY - A monthly spoken word and music series curated by Alameda Poet Laureate, Kimi Sugioka. In 2004-2025, the program took place at Temos Cafe from October through May and featured 24 artists. 240 people attended.
- THE LAST SUPPER PARTY - A monthly spoken word and music 1200. 0. 0.
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
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 June 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 September 2004.
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.