Asheville Glass Art School
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The North Carolina Glass Center is dedicated to education, exploration and collaboration in all forms of glass.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $810,275
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- -0.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 56%
- Employees
- 17
- Volunteers
- 13
- Highest pay
- $85,778, executive director
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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 47% 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
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (3)
- $613,407 spent. Comprehensive Glass Arts Education & Workforce Development NCGC provides a year-round curriculum in glassblowing, flameworking, and fusing, serving students from introductory levels to professional intensives. Despite significant disruptions from Hurricane Helene, including a one-month facility closure and equipment failure, NCGC maintained its role as a premier educational hub. -Provided educational opportunities to over 2,300 students -Launched international Glass Education Intensives -Maintained competitive instructor pay -Opened a second state-of-the-art facility in Black Mountain in March 2025
- Community Outreach & Healing Arts NCGC serves marginalized and underserved populations through specialized glassmaking programs that emphasize STEAM education and therapeutic recovery These programs foster inclusivity and resilience within the Western North Carolina community. -Served 60+ youth through STEAM partnerships -Provided healing arts programming to 36 veterans, -Conducted the annual BIPOC Residency, providing a fully funded six-week residency -Achieved national recognition for community impact via a feature on CBS with Gayle King
- Artist Support, Gallery, & Economic Vitality NCGC operates as a critical economic engine for the regional arts ecosystem, providing subsidized studio access and retail opportunities for professional artists. This infrastructure is vital to the livelihood of the WNC creative community. -Provided 3,000+ hours of subsidized studio rental time to 35+ professional glass artists -Maintained a curated gallery representing 70+ artists -Served as an operational anchor in the River Arts District during post-Helene recovery -Successfully funded the Black Mountain facility entirely through a capital campaign.
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
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 November 6, 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 September 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 March 2015.
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 November 4, 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.