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Metropolitan Arts Council

EIN 57-0560186 · Greenville, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE METROPOLITAN ARTS COUNCIL IS TO STIMULATE AND SUPPORT ARTISTIC EXPRESSION AND ITS APPRECIATION AND ENJOYMENT IN WAYS THAT ENRICH ALL CITIZENS, ARTISTS, CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITIES OF GREENVILLE COUNTY. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY PROVIDING FUNDING AND OTHER VITAL SERVICES TO INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS, ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT GREATLY IMPACT THE ECONOMIC WELL BEING OF THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
16.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
6
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$235,843, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 83 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    57 of 57 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $2.0 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION AWARDS GRANTS TO LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS AND ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN GREENVILLE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA. IN 2025, IT AWARDED OPERATING SUPPORT GRANTS TO ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND PROJECT GRANTS TO OTHER ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, INDIVIDUALS, AND SCHOOLS. THESE GRANTS HAVE ALLOWED ARTISTS AND PRESENTING COMPANIES TO EXPAND THEIR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. SUPPORT MADE TO LOCAL SCHOOLS IS VITAL IN ENSURING THE ARTS REMAIN AN IMPORTANT PART OF SECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION. PROJECT SUPPORT GRANTS HAVE ALSO ALLOWED INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS TO TRAVEL TO DIFFERENT PLACES TO ENHANCE THEIR ABILITIES WHILE BEING GREAT AMBASSADORS FOR THE GREENVILLE ARTS SCENE.
  2. $34,984 spent. THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS VARIOUS ARTS EVENTS DURING THE YEAR. THE GALLERY IS HOME FOR THE ANNUAL GREENVILLE OPEN STUDIOS EXHIBIT IN NOVEMBER, THE ONE-STOP OPEN STUDIOS RETROSPECTIVE IN APRIL-MAY, AND THE FLAT OUT UNDER PRESSURE EXHIBIT IN JUNE.
  3. $147,135 spent. SMARTARTS IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS AND THE METROPOLITAN ARTS COUNCIL THAT CONNECTS STUDENTS, ARTISTS AND TEACHERS TO DEEPER LEARNING AND SELF-AWARENESS THROUGH INTEGRADING THE ARTS WITH ALL AREAS OF EDUCATION. ARTS INTEGRATION IS THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE ARTS AND OTHER CONTENT AREAS RESULTING IN A RICHER, MORE COMPLETE WHOLE THAT FOSTERS DEEP, CONNECTED, PERSONAL LEARNING IN BOTH AREAS SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE ORGANIZATION HAS HAD 86 OUT OF 106 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS IN GREENVILLE COUNTY SINCE ITS INCEPTION. SINCE FEDERAL FUNDING EXPIRED IN 2007, THE ORGANIZATION HAS RAISED OVER 4.4 MILLION TO CONTINUE AND EXPAND THE PROGRAM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1973.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.