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Boston Comic Arts Foundation Limited

EIN 47-3790971 · Salem, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BCAF believes in the power of comics to inspire educate and bring people together. BCF helps promote spaces for both creators and readers to find one another exchange ideas and grow as a community.

Income
$211,332
Spending
$155,091
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
8.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
0
Volunteers
150

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $111,114 spent. The MASSACHUSETTS INDEPENDENT COMICS EXPO MICE is a free annual comic arts festival which highlights indie comic creators and their work. MICE consists of 200 creators 30 panels and workshops an ongoing Maker Space and a Cartoonarium for creators to draw live and field questions. The festival also awards MICE Mini-Grants in support of new comic work. MICE draws 5,000 visitors annually provides educational programming to 1,500 and utilizes 100 volunteers.
  2. $30,000 spent. The Boston Comics in Color Festival BCICF is a free annual comic arts festival that highlights and celebrates creators of color. The festival features over 100 artists and 15 public panels and workshops that center BIPOC voices and experiences in comics and illustration. BCICF serves 1,500 attendees annually provides educational programming to approximately 500 participants and engages 60 volunteers. The event advances equity and representation in the comic arts field.
  3. $10,000 spent. Picture + Panel P+P is a monthly author series that brings acclaimed comic creators and writers to the Boston area for public conversation and book discussion. Presented in partnership with Porter Square Books and the Boston Figurative Art Center the series features 24 creators annually draws roughly 600 attendees and relies on a team of 12 volunteers. The program promotes literary and visual arts engagement and builds community around the comics medium.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 2015.

    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.