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Center for Artistic Activism

EIN 45-3557000 · Leeds, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CENTER FOR ARTISTIC ACTIVISM IS THE HOME FOR ARTISTS, ACTIVISTS AND SCHOLARS TO EXPLORE, DISCUSS, REFLECT UPON AND STRENGTHEN CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SOCIAL ACTIVISM AND ARTISTIC PRACTICE. THE CENTER FACILITATES AND STRENGTHENS NETWORKS. THE GOAL IS TO MAKE MORE CREATIVE AND MORE EFFECTIVE CITIZEN ACTIVISTS.

Income
$617,190
Spending
$879,342
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
7.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
8
Highest pay
$154,341, executive di

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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 33 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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

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

  • 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 (1)
  1. $500,647 spent. THE CENTER FOR ARTISTIC ACTIVISM CONTINUES ITS MAIN AREAS OF SERVICE: 1) PROVIDING CREATIVE ACTIVISM TRAINING, 2) PROVIDING MENTORING/CONSULTING AND 3) CREATING AND DISSEMINATING FREE PUBLIC INFORMATION, MEDIA, RESOURCES AND RESEARCH TO ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO MAKE THEIR WORK MORE IMPACTFUL AND CREATIVE. TRAININGS TAKE THE FORM OF WORKSHOPS IN PERSON AND ONLINE. MENTORING AND CONSULTING INCLUDES WORKING CLOSELY WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO HELP THEM DEVELOP STRATEGIES, CAMPAIGNS, TACTICS, OR ASSESSMENTS. THE RESOURCES CREATED AND DISTRIBUTED BY THE ORGANIZATION INCLUDE EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM, EXERCISES, VIDEOS, WORKSHEETS, ONLINE PANEL DISCUSSIONS WITH EXPERTS, AND RESEARCH REPORTS.

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 October 13, 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 December 2011.

    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 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.