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Baltimores Festival of the Arts Inc

EIN 52-1559145 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRODUCE MULTI-DAY FESTIVALS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE ACCESS, APPRECIATION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS.

Income
$927,721
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 64%
Employees
0
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$199,509, cfo (partial)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 86% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 364% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $1.0 million spent. ARTSCAPE - ARTSCAPE IS AMERICA'S LARGEST FREE ARTS FESTIVAL, ATTRACTING 350,000+ ATTENDEES OVER THREE DAYS. ARTSCAPE FEATURES 150+ FINE ARTISTS, FASHION DESIGNERS, AND CRAFTSPEOPLE; VISUAL ART EXHIBITS ON AND OFF-SITE, INCLUDING EXHIBITIONS, OUTDOOR SCULPTURES, PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE JANET & WALTER SONDHEIM PRIZE; INCREDIBLE LIVE CONCERTS ON OUTDOOR STAGES; A FULL SCHEDULE OF PERFORMING ARTS INCLUDING DANCE, OPERA, THEATER, FILM, EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC AND THE BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA; FAMILY EVENTS SUCH AS HANDS-ON PROJECTS, DEMONSTRATIONS, COMPETITIONS, CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINERS AND STREET THEATER; AND A MENU OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE THAT IS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE FESTIVAL SITE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 August 1988.

    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.