Americans for the Arts Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 347 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The mission of Americans for the Arts (AFTA) is to serve, advance, and lead the network of lead the network of organizations and individuals who cultivate, promote, sustain, and support the arts in America.
- Income
- $2.4 million
- Spending
- $9.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 61%
- Employees
- 66
- Volunteers
- 35
- Highest pay
- $278,919, vp, research & policy
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 301% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 347 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2513 of 13 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
7 of 7Has a 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 December 31, 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 (4)
- $6.4 million spent. Research and policy: Research and policy is responsible for national society. This research is conducted using various methods and is disseminated through meetings, media and publications that are widely distributed. Signature programs in this area include the arts & economic prosperity study, national arts index and studies on various topics such as local arts funding statistics, united arts fundraising local arts salary information, cultural districts and more that provide important case making data to all arts advocates. The creative forces program serves military service members with traumatic brain injuries at military facilities.
- Government and public affairs: Government and public affairs is responsible for all government affairs work and developing partnerships with government and other non-governmental organizations to promote the value of the arts and mission of AFTA's two key programs, including herein are the annual Nancy Hanks lecture on arts and public policy and arts advocacy day activities. This area also includes our arts education policy work advancing equitable access for arts education across the country.
- Local arts advancement: Local arts advancement is responsible for providing professional development, case making information and networking opportunities to the many organizations and individuals that work to build stronger communities through the Arts every day they do this work through major convening such as the Annual Convention and National Arts Marketing Project Conference to smaller gatherings like Executive Leadership Forum at Sundance. They also convene networks of core constituencies including Public Art, Emerging Leaders, Rural Arts, County Arts, The US Urban Arts Federation, The New Community Visions Initiative and more. In addition, the implement the membership program and ensure our members receive strong benefits that help achieve their goals.
- Scholarships and Awards
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.
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 March 1997.
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.