Living Arts
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Living Arts ignites creativity in the lives of Detroit youth through the performing, visual, and media arts.
- Income
- $650,409
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 1.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 66%
- Employees
- 19
- Volunteers
- 9
- Highest pay
- $110,544, 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: 41 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 86% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 31% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
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 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 (4)
- $446,019 spent. Out-of-School Arts (OSA) offerings provide sequential, standards-based arts ducation and instruction for Pre-K to teenage youth alongside youth development strategies that increase leadership, self-efficiacy, and other capacities that support success in school and beyond. OSA programs operate five days a week, 37 weeks a year at Living Art's studio paces and includes 40 summer and after-school class options in the performing, visual, literary, and media arts.
- $148,681 spent. In-School Arts residencies and classes directly support students' learning in English language arts, math, science and social studies by integrating those subjects with artisitic learning. For arts integrated education programs, Living Arts teaching artists work closely with classroom teachers to develop performing, visual, literary or media arts lessons integrated with their grade-level standards for ELA/Math/Science/Social Studies.
- $229,994 spent. Detroit Wolf Trap offers artist residencies and workshops in school and community settings for children 3 months to six years, and trains their caregivers and educators in creative techniques that promote their development that they can use after the residencies. Fine arts residencies deliver arts instruction that immerse students in painting, drawing, sculpture, dance, theatre, creative writing and poetry, vocal and instrumental music, or digital media arts and activities that are not available in many Detroit schools.
- $213,242 spent. Community & Family Arts endeavors to engage with fellow nonprofits and community organizations to highlight and explore culturally relevant themes, uplift Detroit artists, and be directed by community voice. Previous events include back to school nights celebrating various artistic styles, including communal songwriting, dunham dance, live music, ballet folklorico, and more. These events often include food, family friendly activity, and artistic practice with a lens of joy.
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 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 June 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 April 2003.
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.