Claymakers Arts Community Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Claymakers mission is to nurture a thriving ceramics community by connecting people through education, resources, and support.
- Income
- $532,789
- Spending
- $422,175
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 17.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 87%
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $68,073, 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 (2)
- $347,994 spent. Educational Programs: Claymakers provides in-person ceramics education to more than 1,000 adult learners annually through over 100 weekly classes and workshops. Programs are open to the general public and serve participants at all skill levels, from beginners to advanced artists. Instruction includes wheel-throwing, handbuilding, sculpture, surface decoration, glazing, and kiln firing. To increase access to arts education, Claymakers awarded 21 need-based scholarships in 2025, reducing financial barriers to participation. These programs support skill development, creative expression, and community engagement. Materials Access: Claymakers operates a nonprofit ceramic supply store that provides essential materialsincluding clay, tools, and glazes to more than 1,000 individual artists, students, schools, and community organizations each year. By maintaining affordable and reliable access to materials, the store supports ongoing artistic practice and strengthens the regional ceramics ecosystem.
- 4a. Continued Artist Services: Claymakers supports independent ceramic artists by providing affordable studio space, firing services, and access to specialized equipment not otherwise widely available. In 2025, 25 artists maintained private studio spaces, and more than 70 members of the general public utilized firing services. These resources enable artists to produce work, develop their practice, and participate in the broader arts community.
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 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 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 September 2013.
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.