Waldos and Company
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WALDOS EXISTS TO BENEFIT AND EDUCATE THE GETTYSBURG COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ARTS BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO LOW COST ART EQUIPMENT AND STUDIOS FOR LOCAL ARTISTS, AS WELL AS PROVIDING A SUBSTANCE FREE SPACE FOR LOCAL CREATIVES TO COLLABORATE AND SHOWCASE THEIR WORK.
- Income
- $268,334
- Spending
- $268,855
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 3.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 75%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $35,100, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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)
- $221,347 spent. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND COFFEE BAR - HOST A COMMUNITY/ARTIST SPACE INCLUDING DONATION BASED COFFEE AND OTHER DRINKS, ART GALLERY, USED BOOKSTORE, AND TRADE SHOP. THIS SHARED SPACE ALLOWS THE COMMUNITY TO create art and enjoy community. Our desire was to develop a creative environment where people from all different backgrounds could come together in pursuit of enjoying community, fostering creativity, and advancing culture. Waldo's was built and continues to be run by volunteers who are passionate about seeing a vibrant arts community in Gettysburg.
- $9,818 spent. STUDIO/ART PROGRAMS - PROVIDE SPACE TO INCLUDE DEDICATED SPACE FOR EACH OF OUR PRIVATE STUDIO HOLDERS, AN AREA FOR GENERAL TRADESHIP MEMBERS TO SELL THEIR ART, AND A DEDICATED GALLERY SPACE TO HIGHLIGHT A FEATURED ARTIST EACH MONTH. WE ALSO HELD A SUMMER AND FALL CLASS SERIES THAT INCLUDED SEVERAL OF OUR ARTISTS AS INSTRUCTORS.
- $197 spent. EVENTS PROGRAMS - MOST FOLKS FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH WALDO'S IS AT ONE OF OUR CONCERTS AND THERE REALLY COULDN'T BE A BETTER WAY TO EXPERIENCE WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT. AS PART OF OUR MISSION OF ENJOYING THE ARTS AS A COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING LOCAL ARTISTS, WE ARE THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO HOST A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT MUSICAL ACTS FEATURING LOCAL AND NATIONAL TOURING MUSICIANS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 December 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 July 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 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.