Mount Gretna School of Art
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MOUNT GRETNA SCHOOL OF ART'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE PIVOTAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS TO DEVELOP FROM THE TIME THEY ARE STUDENTS THROUGH THEIR EMERGENT CAREERS.
- Income
- $349,530
- Spending
- $234,860
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 3.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 72%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 35
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 32% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (3)
- $167,016 spent. THE MOUNT GRETNA SCHOOL OF ART (MGSOA) CONDUCTS AN INTENSIVE SUMMER PROGRAM FOR TALENTED AND MOTIVATED STUDENTS IN HARMONY WITH THE COMMUNITY. THIS, OUR FOUNDING PROGRAM, ATTRACTS COLLEGE THROUGH GRADUATE-LEVEL STUDENTS WITH A SPECIAL INTEREST IN PAINTING OUTSIDE IN THE LANDSCAPE FROM DIRECT PERCEPTION WHILE LIVING IN THE AREAS ICONIC SUMMER COTTAGES. STUDENTS LIVE, EAT, AND BREATHE ART ALL DAY, EVERY DAY.
- $7,669 spent. FOUR PILLARS : NAMED AFTER THE FOUR PILLARS OF CHAUTAUQUA, THIS MONTH- LONG ARTIST RESIDENCY PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS TO ADVANCE THEIR WORK AND CONNECT WITH NEW AUDIENCES. WHILE THE RESIDENCY IS OPEN TO ALL WORKING ARTISTS, A SPECIAL PURPOSE OF THE RESIDENCY IS TO GIVE MOUNT GRETNA SCHOOL OF ART ALUMNI A CHANCE TO RECONNECT WITH MOUNT GRETNA AFTER THEY ARE STUDENTS. ART BUBBLE: STARTED AS A WAY TO SERVE SOCIALLY ISOLATED ARTISTS DURING THE PANDEMIC, IT IS NON A STANDALONE ARTIST RESIDENCY PROGRAM. THE RESIDENCY IS OPEN TO ALL WORKING ARTISTS WHO HAVE ACCESS TO OUR HOUSING AND STUDIOS WHEN THEY AREN'T IN USE BY OTHER PROGRAMS.
- FOUR PILLARS : NAMED AFTER THE FOUR PILLARS OF CHAUTAUQUA, THIS MONTH- LONG ARTIST RESIDENCY PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS TO ADVANCE THEIR WORK AND CONNECT WITH NEW AUDIENCES. WHILE THE RESIDENCY IS OPEN TO ALL WORKING ARTISTS, A SPECIAL PURPOSE OF THE RESIDENCY IS TO GIVE MOUNT GRETNA SCHOOL OF ART ALUMNI A CHANCE TO RECONNECT WITH MOUNT GRETNA AFTER THEY ARE STUDENTS. ART BUBBLE: STARTED AS A WAY TO SERVE SOCIALLY ISOLATED ARTISTS DURING THE PANDEMIC, IT IS NON A STANDALONE ARTIST RESIDENCY PROGRAM. THE RESIDENCY IS OPEN TO ALL WORKING ARTISTS WHO HAVE ACCESS TO OUR HOUSING AND STUDIOS WHEN THEY AREN'T IN USE BY OTHER PROGRAMS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 August 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 June 2014.
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.