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Vessel for Arts

EIN 45-3697190 · Alto, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our purpose is to establish a community of teaching and learning artists who use their God-given talents to create, produce, perform or teach art that glorifies and honors the Lord.

Income
$416,992
Spending
$365,194
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
0
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$88,500, president and executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 3 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

    6 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 May 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 (4)
  1. $205,958 spent. More than 200 teenagers from 3 cities participated in HPA's mainstage productions during the 2024-2025 Season. After months of weekly rehearsals, the students were able to perform 6 shows for audiences ranging from 500 to 900 patrons in each performance. Through this process the students grew personally in their sense of commitment, responsibility, self confidence, composure, interpersonal communication, social understanding, conflict resolution and work ethic. The students also experienced artistic growth in their performing abilities, including public speaking, singing, dancing, and acting.
  2. $25,787 spent. Approximately 150 students ages 5-12 participated in HPA's StageWorks productions throughout the 2024-2025 Season. After rehearsing for approximately 10 weeks, these students performed for two audiences of more than 200 patrons. Through this process the students grew personally in their sense of commitment, responsibility, self confidence, composure, interpersonal communication, social understanding, conflict resolution and work ethic. The students also experienced artistic growth in their performing abilities, including public speaking, singing, dancing, and acting.
  3. $18,689 spent. Approximately 200 students ages 9-18 participated in HPA's 2024 summer camps. These students participated in intensive daily programming which challenged them to step out of their comfort zone and develop their skills. They received actor training including memorization, performance, scene blocking, script analysis, and character development. They also received training in vocal performance, choreography and scene development both individually and corporately. At the end of the week the students displayed their growth by performing for an audience.
  4. $11 spent. Vessel for Arts did not perform the original production of The Story this year, and thus only had marginal expenses and incomes this year. UnMuted has not run since the Covid shutdowns, and thus only had marginal expenses and incomes in this fiscal year.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 May 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 September 2014.

    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.