Museum of Craft and Design
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 Museum of Craft and Design (MCD) makes creativity accessible to everyone. Through inspired exhibitions and experiential programs, MCD explores the creative process and current perspectives in craft and design.
- Income
- $2.5 million
- Spending
- $3.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 49%
- Reserves
- 15.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 73%
- Employees
- 27
- Volunteers
- 55
- Highest pay
- $380,093, executive dir.
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 15.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1549% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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
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
0 of 10Did not give 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 (3)
- $911,014 spent. Exhibition: Celebrating 20 years of service to the community, the Museumof Craft and Design (MCD) is San Franciscos only museumdevoted to contemporary craft and design. Founded in 2004,MCD is known for its bold and innovative exhibitions and for itsinspiring MakeArt educational programs for children andfamilies. This is the bedrock of who we are and reflects ourcreative spirit, collaborative nature, and a deep commitment tocommunity engagement. (cont'd on schedule O)
- $345,422 spent. Education: MCDs programs make creativity accessible to everyone,serving some of the most economically and culturally diversecommunities of the Bay Area, including neighborhoods whereover 40% of inhabitants live below the federal poverty level. Tohelp address increasing income-inequality in the Bay Area andprovide arts for all regardless of income level, MCDs freeMobile MakeArt program cultivates creative communitypartnerships across San Francisco. (cont'd on schedule O)
- $196,003 spent. Museum Store: Voted the Best Museum Store in San Francisco by SanFrancisco Magazine, MCDs exquisite store features athoughtfully curated selection of contemporary craft anddesign objects, as well as one-of-a-kind items including artjewelry, craft and design publications, toys, ceramics, glassand branded products. The MCD store creates the opportunityfor visitors to extend their museum experience, offering someof the best examples of contemporary craft and design itemssourced from local, national and international makers anddesigners, with a focus on local creatives.
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 September 2003.
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.