National Comedy Center 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
THE MISSION OF THE LUCILLE BALL DESI ARNAZ MUSEUM, A NON-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, IS TO CELEBRATE THE INSPIRING LIVES AND ENDURING LEGACIES OF PIONEERING ARTISTS, INNOVATORS, AND LEADERS LUCILLE BALL AND DESI ARNAZ, WHOSE CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE SHAPED OUR SHARED CULTURAL HERITAGE AND CHARTED A COURSE FOR AMERICAN ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY. THE MUSEUM, LOCATED IN BALL'S HOMETOWN OF JAMESTOWN, NY, HAS BEEN A COMMUNITY ANCHOR AND ENGINE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMEDIC ARTS FOR OVER 25 YEARS.IN 2018, THE LUCY DESI MUSEUM'S MISSION WAS BROADENED WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEARBY NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER, WHICH OPERATES IN FULFILLMENT OF LUCILLE BALL'S VISION THAT HER HOMETOWN BECOME A DESTINATION FOR THE CELEBRATION OF COMEDYIN ALL ITS FORMS. VISITORS TO JAMESTOWN, NY ARE INSPIRED, EDUCATED, AND ENTERTAINED BY BOTH OF THESE ATTRACTIONS, AS WELL AS THE ANNUAL LUCILLE BALL COMEDY FESTIVAL, WHICH PRESENTS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND PERFORMANCES BY RISING ARTISTS AND COMEDY LEGENDS ALIKE.
- Income
- $3.6 million
- Spending
- $3.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- -18.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 63%
- Employees
- 53
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $215,067, 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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 145% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 34% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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
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 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)
- $1.2 million spent. MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE THE LUCILLE BALL DESI ARNAZ MUSEUM THAT EXPLORES THE LIVES, CAREERS AND LEGACY OF THE "FIRST COUPLE OF COMEDY, AND THE INCREDIBLE IMPACT THEY HAD ON THE WORLD.
- $1.4 million spent. THE LUCY DESI MUSEUM OFFICIAL SHOP: EVERY PURCHASE DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE LEGACIES OF LUCILLE BALL AND DESI ARNAZ.
- $67,585 spent. LUCILLE BALL COMEDY FESTIVAL. THE PROGRAM CELEBRATES THE COMEDIC ARTS AND SHOWCASES TALENT FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY. VISITORS COME TOGETHER TO SHARE LAUGHTER WHILE HONORING THE CRAFT AND COMEDIC TALENT SHOWCASED.
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 August 2002.
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.