Sarasota Academy of the Arts Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF SARASOTA ACADEMY OF THE ARTS (SAA) IS TO PROVIDE A MOTIVATING, CHALLENGING, AND CREATIVE LEARNING CLIMATE WITH A SAFE, CARING, FAMILY ATMOSPHERE. SAA WILL PROVIDE STUDENTS INTERESTED IN VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS WITH RIGOROUS ACADEMIC SKILLS IN LINE WITH FLORIDA STANDARDS AND A STRONG INFUSION OF THE ARTS.
- Income
- $2.6 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- -0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 99%
- Employees
- 42
- Volunteers
- 175
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: 47 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 76% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs.
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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
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
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.
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 (1)
- $1.9 million spent. Sarasota Academy of the Arts (SAA) is a public charter school authorized by the Sarasota County School Board to provide a free public education for students in grades kindergarten through eight. SAA had an enrollment of 202 students at the end of its first year and now serves 194 students. As a public school, SAA follows the calendar of the traditional public schools, 180 days of instruction for eight hours per day. The niche provided by SAA is that of a performing and visual arts school, open to all students within commuting distance. Students in the past have participated in onstage musical performances including Mamma Mia! and Disney Our Way musicals, and many community service activities. The middle school music program completed performances with our National Beta Team in Orlando. These activities are directly related to the Mission Statement in that we wish to develop students who are well-rounded with self-confidence in themselves.Throughout the year the students participated in several community service activities including food campaigns. Students attend SAA for an extended day 8:15 AM to 4:15 PM. This allows each student to participate in the core academic classes expected in any school day. It also allows for classes in physical education, Spanish, art, technology, and music. Students needing extra help, have access to services provided in ESOL, exceptional education, gifted classes as well as intensive math and reading.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.