Columbia Art League
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Columbia Art League provides the community with a stimulating environment for experiencing the visual arts through exhibitions, education, appreciation, promotion, and creation.
- Income
- $535,299
- Spending
- $443,802
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 10.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 49%
- Employees
- 10
- Highest pay
- $50,998, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 December 31, 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 (4)
- $140,275 spent. In the main gallery, a changing schedule of 6 shows per year allow both members and non-members to display and sell their artwork. In the smaller side gallery, CAL members artwork is displayed and sold. Artwork in the gallery reflects the artistic voice of the community. Both the themed and non-themed shows feature work by high school students, amateurs, beginners alongside University professors, and experienced and professional artists. For many artists, CALs walls are the first place their work is displayed publicly. Additionally, CAL frequently includes work by elementary school children from its partner in education school.
- $125,210 spent. Art in the Park is the oldest and largest fine arts festival in mid-Missouri. The festival features 110 local, regional, and national visual artists displaying a variety of media including painting, photography, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, and glass. There is no entrance charge to the festival, which is held in a disability-accessible park and is thus open to all socio-economic groups. As well as the artist village, the festival features free art-making activities for children, a venue for displaying local high school artists artworks, roving enterteinment, and a music stage.
- $94,827 spent. Art Education: the Columbia Art League offers a variety of educational activities and experiences designed to foster creativity and encourage artistic awareness. High quality classes are offered to children, teens, and adults. The classes are taught by experienced instructors and professional artists.
- Form 990 Part III line 4d - All Other Accomplishments The Art League occupies a gallery in downtown Columbia, Missouri. The space includes a public sales and Exhibition area and classroom area.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 November 6, 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 2025.
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 May 1977.
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 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.