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The Avalon Foundation Inc

EIN 52-1850874 · Easton, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION INSPIRES, ENRICHES, AND CONNECTS DIVERSE AUDIENCES THROUGH ARTS, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCES INSIDE THE HISTORIC AVALON THEATRE AND THROUGHOUT MARYLAND'S EASTERN SHORE.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 58%
Employees
15
Volunteers
261
Highest pay
$165,129, exec. direct

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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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, 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 (5)
  1. $1.5 million spent. THE FOUNDATION INSPIRES, ENRICHES, AND CONNECTS DIVERSE AUDIENCES THROUGH ARTS, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCES INSIDE THE HISTORIC AVALON THEATRE AND THROUGHOUT MARYLAND'S EASTERN SHORE.
  2. $740,451 spent. THE FOUNDATION PRODUCES AND PROMOTES OUTDOOR ART EVENTS, SUCH AS THE OUTDOOR SUMMER CONCERT SERIES, THE EASTON FARMERS' MARKET, THE TALBOT COUNTY MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL, AND PLEIN AIR EASTON, THE NATION'S LARGEST OUTDOOR PAINTING COMPETITION. THE FOUNDATION RECEIVES MAJOR SUPPORT FROM THE TOWN OF EASTON, AS WELL AS MANY LOCAL BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS.
  3. $323,780 spent. THE FOUNDATION STRIVES TO SERVE AND EDUCATE THE YOUTH IN ITS COMMUNITY, THROUGH CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING. THIS PROGRAMMING INCLUDES EVENTS PUT ON THROUGH THE AVALON CHILDREN'S THEATRE, AS WELL AS SUMMER DAY CAMPS FOR CHILDREN. THE FOUNDATION HAS ESTABLISHED AN ENDOWMENT, USING COMMUNITY DONATIONS, OF WHICH THE INVESTMENT RETURNS WILL BE EXCLUSIVELY USED FOR CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING IN PERPETUITY.
  4. $100,695 spent. MCTV PROVIDES LOCAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITIES TO INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIONS IN TALBOT COUNTY.
  5. MCTV PROVIDES LOCAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITIES TO INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIONS IN TALBOT COUNTY.

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

  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 June 2025.

    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 May 1996.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.