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Artists First

EIN 45-2874353 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceFair58 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ARTIST FIRST IS TO FOSTER GROWTH THROUGH CREATIVE SELF-EXPRESSION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DIABILITIES, VETERANS, YOUTH, AND ELDERS WITH MEMORY LOSS.

Income
$477,473
Spending
$412,412
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
13 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 56%
Employees
8

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

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (3)
  1. $103,246 spent. LIFEWORKSTHE TAILORED PROGRAM FOR PROFESSIONALLY MINDED ARTISTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO OBTAIN THEIR GREATEST POTENTIAL AND GROWTH IN EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL DOMAINS THROUGH THE ARTS IS SUPPORTED BY THE ST LOUIS OFFICE FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY RESOURCES
  2. $228,704 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS ARTISTS FIRST PROGRAMS INCREASES ACCESS TO MEANINGFUL ARTS EXPERIENCES FOR MARGINALIZED INDIVIDUALS, FOSTERS CONNECTIONS, AS WELL AS STRENTHENS THE LARGER COMMUNITY SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY
  3. $32,830 spent. VETERANS98 OF PARTICIPATING VETERANS MAINTAINED SOBRIETY, 100 MAINTAINED EMOTIONAL WELL BEING THROUGH THE PROGRAM WHICH BUILDS BETTER LIVES FOR TRANSITIONING VETERANS AS THEY REINTEGRATE INTO CIVILIAN LIFE BY SUPPORTING REHABILITATION AND REVOVERY AND BY FACILITATING MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING USING CREATIVE SELF-EXPRESSION.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.