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Storytelling Arts of Indiana

EIN 35-1724507 · Indianapolis, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To promote the art and use of storytelling by creating opportunities in Indiana for diverse audiences of all ages to listen and share stories and by showcasing tellers who entertain and inspire.

Income
$235,246
Spending
$235,537
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
1
Highest pay
$60,000, executive dir

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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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.

  • 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 (10)
  1. $4,575 spent. Mara menzies served 41 SAI patrons and volunteers
  2. $4,050 spent. October 24, 2024 Spine -Tingling Tales, served 92 SAI patrons and volunteers
  3. $2,450 spent. November 24, 2024 Frank Basiles Emerging Stories, served 54 SAI patrons and volunteers.
  4. Program Service Expenses 4,000, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 1,094 December 24, 2024 Jingle Tales and Tunes, served 63 SAI patrons and volunteers.
  5. Program Service Expenses 2,450, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 1,267 January 25, 2025 Flirting Like an American, served 82 SAI patrons and volunteers.
  6. Program Service Expenses 2,450, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 1,086 February 25, 2025 The Malaga Ship, served 65 SAI patrons and volunteers.
  7. Program Service Expenses 3,450, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 1,225 March 25, 2025 The Unveiling of the Wisdom, served 69 SAI patrons and volunteers.
  8. Program Service Expenses 3,450, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 2,241 April 25, 2025 Talk of the Town, served 102 SAI patrons, volunteers, donors and sponsors.
  9. Program Service Expenses 2,450, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 1,076 April 25, 2025 That Aint the Whole Plan, served 76 SAI patrons and volunteers.
  10. Program Service Expenses 125,117, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Various storytelling events, workshops, programs, contest and bootcamps were hosted throughout the year.

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 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 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 February 1988.

    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.