Carroll County Arts Council
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 49% 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
THE CARROLL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL STRENGTHENS AND ENRICHES CARROLL COUNTY, CULTURALLY AND ECONOMICALLY, BY PROMOTING THE ARTS, ARTS EDUCATION, AND DIVERSE CULTURAL EXPRESSION. THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING, COMMUNITY COLLABORATION, AND ACTIVE FACILITATION WE STRIVE TO INTEGRATE THE ARTS INTO THE EVERYDAY LIVES OF THE COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $802,928
- Spending
- $795,054
- Spent on programs
- 49%
- Reserves
- 11.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 31%
- Employees
- 29
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $76,354, inter exec d
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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1549% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (2)
- $77,958 spent. FROM JULY 1, 2024 TO JUNE 30, 2025, THE CARROLL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL ENGAGED 773 PROFESSIONAL AND LOCAL ARTISTS FOR IN-PERSON ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING, PROVIDING EQUITABLE COMPENSATION AND DIRECT ECONOMIC SUPPORT TO MARYLAND ARTISTS. DURING THIS PERIOD, THE ARTS COUNCIL PRODUCED 135 PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES SPANNING LIVE PERFORMANCES, FILM, EXHIBITIONS, FESTIVALS, AND PUBLIC EVENTS, SERVING MORE THAN 32,600 PATRONS AND AUDIENCE MEMBERS ACROSS CARROLL COUNTY. THESE ACTIVITIES WERE SUPPORTED BY A ROBUST VOLUNTEER NETWORK, WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANT IN-KIND SERVICE HOURS IN SUPPORT OF THE ARTS COUNCIL'S MISSION. IN ADDITION TO DIRECT PROGRAMMING, THE ARTS COUNCIL ADMINISTERED 27 GRANTS TOTALING 69,500 THROUGH ITS ESTABLISHED RE-GRANTING PROGRAMS, SUPPORTING NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS, AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. FUNDED ORGANIZATIONS COLLECTIVELY PRODUCED HUNDREDS OF ARTS PROGRAMS, ENGAGED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PARTICIPANTS, AND SUPPORTED SUBSTANTIAL VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT, EXTENDING THE REACH AND IMPACT OF ARTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITY WELL BEYOND ARTS COUNCIL-PRODUCED PROGRAMS. THE CARROLL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL IMPLEMENTS THREE PRIMARY GRANT PROGRAMS ANNUALLY: THE COMMUNITY ARTS DEVELOPMENT (CAD) GRANT, THE ARTS OPPORTUNITY MINI GRANT, AND THE ARTS IN EDUCATION (AIE) GRANT. CAD GRANTS PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING AND PROGRAM SUPPORT TO ESTABLISHED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, STRENGTHENING ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY, ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE, AND COMMUNITY ACCESS. ARTS OPPORTUNITY MINI GRANTS SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS AND SMALL ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH PROJECT FUNDING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. ARTS IN EDUCATION GRANTS SUPPORT ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS IN INTEGRATING MARYLAND ARTISTS INTO LEARNING EXPERIENCES, WITH PRIORITY GIVEN TO TITLE I SCHOOLS. THE ARTS COUNCIL ALSO ADMINISTERS TWO LONG-STANDING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS. THE TOM HOLDER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORTS YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN ARTS CLASSES, CAMPS, AND THEATRE PROGRAMS, REDUCING FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO ACCESS. THE TEVIS COLLEGE ARTS SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 1,000 ANNUALLY TO GRADUATING SENIORS FROM EACH COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL PURSUING POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE ARTS. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1986, THE TEVIS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM HAS AWARDED MORE THAN 145,000 TO OVER 200 STUDENTS, SUPPORTING ATTENDANCE AT 100+ UNIQUE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES NATIONWIDE. FROM JULY 1, 2024 TO JUNE 30, 2025, THE CARROLL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL ENGAGED 773 PROFESSIONAL AND LOCAL ARTISTS FOR IN-PERSON ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING, PROVIDING EQUITABLE COMPENSATION AND DIRECT ECONOMIC SUPPORT TO MARYLAND ARTISTS. DURING THIS PERIOD, THE ARTS COUNCIL PRODUCED 135 PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES SPANNING LIVE PERFORMANCES, FILM, EXHIBITIONS, FESTIVALS, AND PUBLIC EVENTS, SERVING MORE THAN 32,600 PATRONS AND AUDIENCE MEMBERS ACROSS CARROLL COUNTY. THESE ACTIVITIES WERE SUPPORTED BY A ROBUST VOLUNTEER NETWORK, WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANT IN-KIND SERVICE HOURS IN SUPPORT OF THE ARTS COUNCIL'S MISSION. IN ADDITION TO DIRECT PROGRAMMING, THE ARTS COUNCIL ADMINISTERED 27 GRANTS TOTALING 69,500 THROUGH ITS ESTABLISHED RE-GRANTING PROGRAMS, SUPPORTING NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS, AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. FUNDED ORGANIZATIONS COLLECTIVELY PRODUCED HUNDREDS OF ARTS PROGRAMS, ENGAGED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PARTICIPANTS, AND SUPPORTED SUBSTANTIAL VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT, EXTENDING THE REACH AND IMPACT OF ARTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITY WELL BEYOND ARTS COUNCIL-PRODUCED PROGRAMS. THE CARROLL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL IMPLEMENTS THREE PRIMARY GRANT PROGRAMS ANNUALLY: THE COMMUNITY ARTS DEVELOPMENT (CAD) GRANT, THE ARTS OPPORTUNITY MINI GRANT, AND THE ARTS IN EDUCATION (AIE) GRANT. CAD GRANTS PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING AND PROGRAM SUPPORT TO ESTABLISHED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, STRENGTHENING ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY, ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE, AND COMMUNITY ACCESS. ARTS OPPORTUNITY MINI GRANTS SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS AND SMALL ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH PROJECT FUNDING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. ARTS IN EDUCATION GRANTS SUPPORT ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS IN INTEGRATING MARYLAND ARTISTS INTO LEARNING EXPERIENCES, WITH PRIORITY GIVEN TO TITLE I SCHOOLS. THE ARTS COUNCIL ALSO ADMINISTERS TWO LONG-STANDING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS. THE TOM HOLDER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORTS YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN ARTS CLASSES, CAMPS, AND THEATRE PROGRAMS, REDUCING FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO ACCESS. THE TEVIS COLLEGE ARTS SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 1,000 ANNUALLY TO GRADUATING SENIORS FROM EACH COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL PURSUING POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE ARTS. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1986, THE TEVIS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM HAS AWARDED MORE THAN 145,000 TO OVER 200 STUDENTS, SUPPORTING ATTENDANCE AT 100+ UNIQUE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES NATIONWIDE.
- $310,555 spent. BETWEEN JULY 1, 2024 AND JUNE 30, 2025, THE CARROLL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL PRODUCED A WIDE RANGE OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING LIVE PERFORMANCES, FILM SERIES, GALLERY EXHIBITIONS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND COMMUNITY FESTIVALS. LIVE PERFORMANCE OFFERINGS INCLUDED ESTABLISHED CONCERT AND PERFORMANCE SERIES SUCH AS CLASSICAL, JAZZ, COMEDY, AND FOLK TRADITIONS, AS WELL AS SPECIAL SEASONAL AND HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH REGIONAL AND STATEWIDE ARTS ORGANIZATIONS. FILM PROGRAMMING INCLUDED DOCUMENTARY, FOREIGN, AND CULTURALLY FOCUSED FILM FESTIVALS, ALONG WITH FREE OUTDOOR SUMMER SCREENINGS DESIGNED TO INCREASE ACCESS TO ARTS EXPERIENCES FOR FAMILIES AND UNDERSERVED AUDIENCES. GALLERY EXHIBITIONS SHOWCASED WORK BY PROFESSIONAL, EMERGING, YOUTH, AND SENIOR ARTISTS THROUGH JURIED EXHIBITIONS, THEMATIC SHOWS, AND ANNUAL COMMUNITY DISPLAYS. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING INCLUDED CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND CAMPS SERVING YOUTH AND ADULTS ACROSS MULTIPLE DISCIPLINES, AS WELL AS FULLY STAGED THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS WITH THE ARTS COUNCIL'S CHILDREN'S THEATRE TROUPE. MAJOR ANNUAL FESTIVALS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS INCLUDED THE GALLERY OF GIFTS, FESTIVAL OF WREATHS, THE MARSHMALLOW PEEPSHOW, ART IN THE PARK, AND THE PLAYWRIGHT FESTIVAL. DURING FY25, THE ARTS COUNCIL ALSO LAUNCHED TOGETHER IN THE ARTS, A FREE, WEEKDAY MORNING CULTURAL SERIES DESIGNED TO INCREASE ACCESS TO ARTS EXPERIENCES FOR YOUNG FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY, TRANSPORTATION, OR FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES. HELD AT 10:00 A.M., THE PROGRAM OFFERS ENGAGING, INTERACTIVE PERFORMANCES THAT BLEND CREATIVITY, CULTURE, HERITAGE, AND STORYTELLING IN AN APPROACHABLE, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT. THIS SERIES INTENTIONALLY SERVES CAREGIVERS, GRANDPARENTS, FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL OR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES BY PROVIDING MEANINGFUL DAYTIME PROGRAMMING THAT ENCOURAGES CONNECTION AND SHARED EXPERIENCES. BY REMOVING FINANCIAL AND SCHEDULING BARRIERS, TOGETHER IN THE ARTS SUPPORTS COMMUNITY WELL-BEING WHILE REINFORCING THE CARROLL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL'S ROLE AS A VITAL, ACCESSIBLE CULTURAL RESOURCE. BETWEEN JULY 1, 2024 AND JUNE 30, 2025, THE CARROLL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL PRODUCED A WIDE RANGE OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING LIVE PERFORMANCES, FILM SERIES, GALLERY EXHIBITIONS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND COMMUNITY FESTIVALS. LIVE PERFORMANCE OFFERINGS INCLUDED ESTABLISHED CONCERT AND PERFORMANCE SERIES SUCH AS CLASSICAL, JAZZ, COMEDY, AND FOLK TRADITIONS, AS WELL AS SPECIAL SEASONAL AND HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH REGIONAL AND STATEWIDE ARTS ORGANIZATIONS. FILM PROGRAMMING INCLUDED DOCUMENTARY, FOREIGN, AND CULTURALLY FOCUSED FILM FESTIVALS, ALONG WITH FREE OUTDOOR SUMMER SCREENINGS DESIGNED TO INCREASE ACCESS TO ARTS EXPERIENCES FOR FAMILIES AND UNDERSERVED AUDIENCES. GALLERY EXHIBITIONS SHOWCASED WORK BY PROFESSIONAL, EMERGING, YOUTH, AND SENIOR ARTISTS THROUGH JURIED EXHIBITIONS, THEMATIC SHOWS, AND ANNUAL COMMUNITY DISPLAYS. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING INCLUDED CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND CAMPS SERVING YOUTH AND ADULTS ACROSS MULTIPLE DISCIPLINES, AS WELL AS FULLY STAGED THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS WITH THE ARTS COUNCIL'S CHILDREN'S THEATRE TROUPE. MAJOR ANNUAL FESTIVALS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS INCLUDED THE GALLERY OF GIFTS, FESTIVAL OF WREATHS, THE MARSHMALLOW PEEPSHOW, ART IN THE PARK, AND THE PLAYWRIGHT FESTIVAL. DURING FY25, THE ARTS COUNCIL ALSO LAUNCHED TOGETHER IN THE ARTS, A FREE, WEEKDAY MORNING CULTURAL SERIES DESIGNED TO INCREASE ACCESS TO ARTS EXPERIENCES FOR YOUNG FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY, TRANSPORTATION, OR FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES. HELD AT 10:00 A.M., THE PROGRAM OFFERS ENGAGING, INTERACTIVE PERFORMANCES THAT BLEND CREATIVITY, CULTURE, HERITAGE, AND STORYTELLING IN AN APPROACHABLE, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT. THIS SERIES INTENTIONALLY SERVES CAREGIVERS, GRANDPARENTS, FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL OR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES BY PROVIDING MEANINGFUL DAYTIME PROGRAMMING THAT ENCOURAGES CONNECTION AND SHARED EXPERIENCES. BY REMOVING FINANCIAL AND SCHEDULING BARRIERS, TOGETHER IN THE ARTS SUPPORTS COMMUNITY WELL-BEING WHILE REINFORCING THE CARROLL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL'S ROLE AS A VITAL, ACCESSIBLE CULTURAL RESOURCE.
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 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 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 January 1977.
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.