Pittsburgh International Folk Arts Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Preserves & celebrates international cultural heritages through artistic performance while awarding talented performers scholarships to Pittsburgh-based universities for their contributions & dedication to the arts.
- Income
- $531,598
- Spending
- $585,214
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 50%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 83
- Highest pay
- $40,000, artistic director
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
Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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
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 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)
- $487,034 spent. Live Performance of Authentic Folk Song & Dance: Presentations of rare, authentic folk music & dance traditions from Central & Eastern Europe - art forms that are increasingly uncommon on modern stages. What distinguishes the ensemble of between 24 & 30 college students is the exceptional artistic quality achieved by a part-time, student based group whose members balance rigorous rehearsals schedules & professional pursuits. Despite this, performances need a remarkably high standard, offering audiences a vivid, respectful, & historically informed presentation of folk traditions that engage through an entertaining medium. The ensemble consists of 24-30 student performers per year that complete 40-60 shows per performance season. Travel is usually to 20+ states per year to share the program with both urban & rural audiences.
- Community Workshops & Educational Engagement: Through hands-on workshops, the mission is extended beyond the stage by inviting non-traditional audiences & community members to actively engage with folk arts. These programs demystify cultural traditions & make them accessible through participatory learning experiences, including dance instruction, vocal traditions, & culinary arts. Past offerings have included Ukranian egg decorating (pysanky), Croatian streudel making, & Hungarian folk dance - creating welcoming entry points that foster cultural appreciation, intergenerational learning, & community connection. All workshops have different capacities based on the type of craft being taught & the resources available. A recent Croatian Strudel Making workshop was sold out at 36 attendees + the Hungarian workshop averaged 25 attendees.
- Collaborative & Cross-Disciplinary Performances: Collarorations with local & regional arts organizations to broaden audiences, share artistic perspectives, & deepen cultural understanding. By integrating the dancers & musicians into the performances of partner organizations - or welcoming collaborations into their own productions - the ensemble amplifies its reach while contributing distinctive folk artistry to new contexts. A hallmark example is the original choreography of Carol of the Bells & Trepak, performed as part of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestras Holiday Pops Series, which showcased folk dance within a symphonic setting& introduced the ensemble to approximately 26,000 patrons.
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
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 June 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 October 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.