The Bascom Corporation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Bascom creates visual art experiences that inspire and empower individuals and communities through seeing, thinking and doing.
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $2.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- -48.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 69%
- Employees
- 13
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $109,929, incoming executive director
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: 54 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2523 of 23 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
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
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)
- $1.4 million spent. Through engaging the artistic imagination, we build human capacity and resilience in the people of our region and infuse the creative economy of Western North Carolina with opportunities for community members, visitors, and artists alike. We serve the public at large by offering 9-12 exhibitions annually, free of charge, and fee-based art classes and studio experiences throughout the year. We support artists by offering professional opportunities for residencies, exhibitions, teaching, curatorships, and retail sales. We serve youth in our community by partnering with other local nonprofits and schools to provide art-infused STEM and literacy education, and we offer on-site classes and arts-based summer camps. We also provide school teachers with in-service professional development opportunities.
- The Bascoms Public Programs serve 3,000 participants of all ages living in Macon and Jackson counties. Activities include free art exhibitions and adjoining programming, artist residencies, in-class and out-of-school-time STEAM and art activities, professional development opportunities for local educators, workshops, camps, and sales opportunities for local artists.
- 2024 Achievements **Provided 10 high-quality, free-admission exhibits to 20,000 visitors **Reached 3,600 participants through our 30 free outreach programs **Improved workshop access by providing $23,000 in scholarships **Offered 6 resident artist opportunities **Offered 75 teaching artist opportunities **Supported 300 artists through our exhibition and retail programs **Offered 6 curatorial and juror opportunities
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 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 March 2000.
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.