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K C Clay Guild

EIN 43-1480279 · Kansas City, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 12% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

MISSION To provide a supportive environment in which the clay community can meet share knowledge and experience promote public awareness of the ceramic

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
12%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
3
Volunteers
55
Highest pay
$14,950, volunteer chair

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

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 96% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    12% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (5)
  1. $58,501 spent. SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS INCLUDING 1 WEEKEND WITH ATTENDANCE OF MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE INTRODUCING PARTICIPANTS TO THE CERAMIC ART OF RAKU 2 HOSTED THE TEABOWL NATIONAL SHOW OPEN TO ARTISTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY 3 HOSTED THE HOLIDAY SALE CONNECTING MORE THAN 40 CERAMIC ARTISTS THROUGHOUT KANSAS CITY WITH PATRONS AND 4 HOSTED THE SPRING SALE CONNECTING MORE THAN 40 CERAMIC ARTISTS THROUGHOUT KANSAS CITY WITH PATRONS.
  2. $85,084 spent. CLAY CLASSES TAUGHT TO ADULTS AND CLASSES TAUGHT TO CHILDREN. THE GUILD PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE YEAR ROUND ADULT CLAY CLASSES 5 DAYS A WEEK EDUCATING OVER 300 INDIVIDUALS IN THE CERAMIC ARTS YEAR ROUND CHILDRENS CLAY CLASSES 1 DAY A WEEK EDUCATING OVER 50 CHILDREN IN THE CERAMIC ARTS SPONSOR THREE CERAMIC ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE
  3. $27,445 spent. STUDIO AND EQUIPMENT RENTAL SALE OF CLAY SUPPLIES AND TOOLS: THE GUILD PROVIDES STUDIO SPACE AND EQUIPMENT FOR MEMBERS TO USE IN THE PRODUCTION OF CLAY WARES.
  4. $13,195 spent. PROGRAMMING SUCH AS PRIVATE PARTIES AND EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS
  5. $14,700 spent. ON THE MOVE AND OTHER UNPAID PROGRAMMING

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

  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 December 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 1992.

    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.