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Passes our checks

Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts

EIN 46-4401272 · Rochester, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts is committed to improving the quality of education to nurture children in the Rochester area into an enlightened adolescent. (Continued on Schedule O)Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts will provide children an enriched and rigorous educational experience through the infusion of the humanities and art rooted in a culture of high academic standards leading to a strong sense of possibility and aspiration.

Income
$10.1 million
Spending
$10.0 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 85%
Employees
138
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$156,832, head of academics

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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (3)
  1. $7.3 million spent. REGULAR EDUCATION: The School's instructional pedagogy is one based on active learning and inquiry-based lessons. Engaging students in the "why" of the lessons is as important to the teaching staff as is the final outcomes. The arts staff works diligently with the academic staff to integrate arts into the curriculum and to integrate academics into the arts, while keeping in alignment with the New York State Learning Standards. The School received $379,498 in Title I, Title II, Title III, and Title IV funding though the NY State Education Department for their regular education program.
  2. $772,861 spent. SPECIAL EDUCATION: The School is open to all children and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, or any other grounds that would be unlawful or deny the civil rights of any individual. In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Rehabilitation Act, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the School provides a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment to students with disabilities. The primary service delivery for students with special needs is inclusion. For students requiring supplemental services, the School ensures the required services are provided as outlined in the student's Individual Education Plan or 504 Plan.
  3. $821,554 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS: The School believes that healthy meals are an important part of a child's day. Breakfast and lunch are served every day. All meals are intended to meet the required New York State Child Nutrition Standards, and the School subscribes to the New York State free and reduced priced meal program. The School also funds two positions that provide support to families of students. They provide assistance navigating community systems and access any resources needed.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  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 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.