Andreas H Bechtler Arts Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE BECHTLER MUSEUM OF MODERN ART SEEKS TO ADD SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE THROUGH EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMS THAT CELEBRATE AND EXPLORE THE BECHTLER COLLECTION OF 20TH-CENTURY MODERN ART AS WELL AS THE PERSONAL MATERIALS RELATED TO THE COLLECTION THAT ILLUMINATE THE UNIQUE ROLE OF THE BECHTLER FAMILY AS PATRONS OF THE PERIOD'S MOST INNOVATIVE AND INFLUENTIAL ARTISTS.
- Income
- $4.2 million
- Spending
- $4.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 2.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 64%
- Employees
- 24
- Volunteers
- 88
- Highest pay
- $338,791, executive director
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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% 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
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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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)
- $3.2 million spent. THE BECHTLER MUSEUM OF MODERN ART OFFERS AN ARRAY OF INNOVATIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE TO ENRICH THEIR CULTURAL EXPERIENCES, SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND PERSONAL SELF-DISCOVERY. DURING THE 2023-24 FISCAL YEAR, THE MUSEUM OFFERED THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: A VARIETY OF EXHIBITIONS OF ART DEDICATED TO MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART, AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS, SUCH AS JAZZ AT THE BECHTLER (OFFERED NEW PERSPECTIVES ON MODERN JAZZ COMPOSERS, LEGENDARY ARTISTS, AND MUSICAL STYLES THAT GREW IN POPULARITY IN THE MID-TO-LATE 20TH CENTURY), AND MUSIC AND MUSEUM (OFFERED CLASSICAL ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCES IN THE GALLERIES AND LOBBY TO COMPLEMENT THE ART ON VIEW). IN ADDITION, GUEST LECTURES FROM ARTISTS, CURATORS, AND ART HISTORIANS EXPLORED THE MANY FACETS OF MODERN ART AND ARCHITECTURE. CONTINUING IN FY24 WAS THE HIGHLY POPULAR WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE. THIS WEEKLY PROGRAM OF FREE ADMISSION AND PLANNED PROGRAMS ON WEDNESDAY EVENINGS WAS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MINT MUSEUM AND GANTT CENTER FOR AFRO-AMERICAN ART + CULTURE. THE MUSEUM LAUNCHED NEW TOUR PROGRAMS FOR K-12 AUDIENCES AND OFFERED THESE TOURS FREE OF CHARGE. THE MUSEUM PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS: TERESA HUBBARD/ALEXANDER BIRCHLER: FLORA AND HILDUR ASGEIRSDOTTIR JONSSON: INFINITE SPACE, SUBLIME HORIZONS. THESE EXHIBITIONS CONTINUE THE MUSEUM'S COMMITMENT TO SHOWCASING THE HISTOMENT TO SHOWCASING THE HISTORY OF MODERN ART AND DEMONSTRATING ITS LEGACY FOR LIVING ARTISTS. THE MUSEUM COMPLETED A RENOVATION OF ITS LOBBY TO PROVIDE BETTER CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES AND ADDED A NEW GALLERY AND ADDITIONAL EXHIBITION SPACES.
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
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 June 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 February 2016.
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.