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Ars Arts & Culture Center

EIN 46-4235650 · Benton Harbor, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood79 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENCOURAGE, ENLIGHTEN, AND ENGAGE IN THE ARTS THROUGH A LOCAL COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER WHICH PROMOTES, DEVELOPS, AND IMPLEMENTS CULTURAL AND VISUAL FINE ARTS AND ARTS EDUCATION TO OUR COMMUNITY WITH A FOCUS TO OFFER ARTS EDUCATION TO UNDER-SERVED YOUTH IN BERRIEN COUNTY.

Income
$105,907
Spending
$74,022
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
25.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
0
Volunteers
15

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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. $69,255 spent. SCULPTOR TALKS BY 6 DETROIT ARTISTS, COVERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR WORK AND INSTALLATIONS, ALSO COVERING SLIDESHOWS AND SHORT VIDEO ABOUT THE PROCESSES. WITH OVER 50 VISITORS IN ATTENDANCE. THIS WAS FREE TO THE PUBLIC. OPENING EXHIBITION IN THE GALLERY, WITH 3 ARTISTS, AND A WELL ATTENDED OPENING RECEPTION. ARTHOP PARTICIPATION, HIGHLIGHTING FEATURED ARTISTS. SUMMER ARTS CAMPS: A POPUP CAMP, WHICH INCLUDES SPONSORED UNDERSERVED YOUTH IN CAMP EACH YEAR. DEVELOPS SKILLS, CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING, AS WELL AS CREATING 5 TO 6 COMPLETED WORKS OF ART AND AN ARTISTS RECEPTION-APPROXIMATELY 25-30 STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE. THIS WAS OUR FIRST MERGED AGE CAMP 10-15 YEARS, WITH 2 TEACHERS ROTATING YOUTH THROUGH EACH CLASS AND IN APPROPRIATE AGE BASED GROUPS. UNDERSERVED YOUTH WORKSHOP, INCORPORATING NEW APPROACH, WITH ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, (WE WENT DIRECTLY TO THE CENTERS WITH SUPPLIES AND TEACHER). A GREAT SUCCESS. WE OFFERED INTROSPECTIVE "SELF-PORTRAITS- AND THE STUDENTS TALKED ABOUT THEIR PAINTINGS. NEW EXHIBITION POPUP IN LAKESIDE SPACE INCLUDED 11 ARTISTS AND A HOLIDAY MARKET WITH POTTERY AND LOTS OF ORNAMENTS. ARTISTS/SCULPTORS/POTTERS, WITH OVER 50 PIECES OF ARTWORK. NEW COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH ATTENDANCE AND DISCUSSIONS WITH ALL ARTISTS. SCULPTOR TALKS BY 6 DETROIT ARTISTS, COVERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR WORK AND INSTALLATIONS, ALSO COVERING SLIDESHOWS AND SHORT VIDEO ABOUT THE PROCESSES. WITH OVER 50 VISITORS IN ATTENDANCE. THIS WAS FREE TO THE PUBLIC. OPENING EXHIBITION IN THE GALLERY, WITH 3 ARTISTS, AND A WELL ATTENDED OPENING RECEPTION. ARTHOP PARTICIPATION, HIGHLIGHTING FEATURED ARTISTS. SUMMER ARTS CAMPS: A POPUP CAMP, WHICH INCLUDES SPONSORED UNDERSERVED YOUTH IN CAMP EACH YEAR. DEVELOPS SKILLS, CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING, AS WELL AS CREATING 5 TO 6 COMPLETED WORKS OF ART AND AN ARTISTS RECEPTION-APPROXIMATELY 25-30 STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE. THIS WAS OUR FIRST MERGED AGE CAMP 10-15 YEARS, WITH 2 TEACHERS ROTATING YOUTH THROUGH EACH CLASS AND IN APPROPRIATE AGE BASED GROUPS. UNDERSERVED YOUTH WORKSHOP, INCORPORATING NEW APPROACH, WITH ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, (WE WENT DIRECTLY TO THE CENTERS WITH SUPPLIES AND TEACHER). A GREAT SUCCESS. WE OFFERED INTROSPECTIVE "SELF-PORTRAITS- AND THE STUDENTS TALKED ABOUT THEIR PAINTINGS. NEW EXHIBITION POPUP IN LAKESIDE SPACE INCLUDED 11 ARTISTS AND A HOLIDAY MARKET WITH POTTERY AND LOTS OF ORNAMENTS. ARTISTS/SCULPTORS/POTTERS, WITH OVER 50 PIECES OF ARTWORK. NEW COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH ATTENDANCE AND DISCUSSIONS WITH ALL ARTISTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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.