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Art Start Northwest

EIN 47-3326906 · Edmonds, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 8% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

GRAPHITE ART CENTER MAKES THE ARTS ACCESSIBLE THROUGH YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY CLASSES, AND ARTIST SUPPORT. THE ART START SCHOOL PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE WORKSHOPS, RESOURCES, STUDENT ART SHOWS, AND EXHIBITIONS. THE CENTER ALSO OFFERS PUBLIC WORKSHOPS, GALLERY EXHIBITIONS, AND CALLS FOR ART, WHILE SUPPORTING ARTISTS WITH STUDIO SPACE, STORAGE, AND SALES OPPORTUNITIES.

Income
$281,925
Spending
$228,409
Spent on programs
8%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
8
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 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 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 120% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    8% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (2)
  1. $11,678 spent. SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAM: BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH FIVE EDMONDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT, CREATING AN ART CABINET AT EACH SCHOOL, DONATED GOOD QUALITY ART SUPPLIES AND SKETCHBOOKS FOR EVERY STUDENT. WE HOPE TO CONTINUE GROWING THIS SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAM BY DEEPENING OUR CURRENT PARTNERSHIPS AND GROWING INTO MORE EDMONDS SCHOOLS.
  2. $6,238 spent. GRAPHITE ARTS CENTER: CENTER FOR ARTISTS AND THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY. CENTER AVAILABLE DURING OPEN PUBLIC HOURS TO MEET ARTISTS, CREATE AND BUY THEIR ART, VIEW LATEST GALLERY SHOW, AND ENJOY ART MOVIE NIGHTS, LIVE ART LECTURES, ART DEMOS, CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 April 2017.

    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.