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National Black Arts Festival Inc

EIN 58-1736780 · Atlanta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Toexpose,educate,engageandentertainaudiencesaswepresentandsupportartandartistsofAfricandescent.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
7
Volunteers
58
Highest pay
$165,375, 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: 50 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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, 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)
  1. $1.0 million spent. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the National Black Arts Festival, Inc. operated the following programs:i)NEXTGEN Youth Programming: Neighborhood schools face limited resources for high-quality arts education, and as a result, students in underserved school districts lack access to the benefits that the arts provide social and emotional learning, leadership development, and creative thinking. To overcome this challenge, NBAF offers free in-school arts programs, of which NEXTGEN Artist is one. The NEXTGEN Artist Program curates educational workshops in the following Atlanta area schools:Luther J. Price Middle SchoolSylvan Hill Middle SchoolDrew Charter Junior/Senior AcademyMaynard H. Jackson High SchoolCarver STEAM Academy High School(ii)Move/Dance: Move/Dance! nurtures the talent and aspirations of middle school dance students while supporting the teachers, parents, and guardians who stand beside them. Designed to bring high-quality dance-based arts education into Atlantas middle schools, the program merges creativity with community wellness.Through movement, students build confidence, discipline and joy while also addressing critical health issues such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity that disproportionately affect NBAFs communities. More than a dance class, Move/Dance! is an arts intervention that promotes healthier lifestyles through the power of rhythm and movement. (iii)Move/Dance! & Spelman College Department of Dance and Choreography: NBAFs Art of Teaching Dance introduces Spelman College students to the profession of dance education. In partnership with NBAFs Atlanta Public Schools partners, this extension of the Move/Dance program provides Spelman College students exposure to dance pedagogy and mentorship from dance education professionals, better preparing them for careers in dance.(iv)NBAF Summer Dance Intensive: NBAF offered a week during the summer of transformative dance classes from ages 12 to 16 in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and Contemporary, culminating in a spectacular performance on Saturday. The program is free for youth dancers.(v)Artist Project Fund (APF): Artists need funding to sustain themselves and their careers to meet the moment, and to help reshape arts infrastructure and systems that have been equitable or sustainable. NBAF desires to ensure that there are solutions in place as we help ensure equity in resources for the Black community and create a brighter future through the power of Black Art. The Artist Project Fund (APF) is a $2,000 award and artistic development program for Metro Atlanta artists seeking funds to complete on ongoing project. It supports 20 professional artists over a 6-month period in the completion of an artistic project, fostering a sense of community and creative collaboration, and providing immersive artistic and career development experiences to help each participant grow as creative entrepreneurs. APF was an initiative created in 2020 to serve as a COVID relief fund and has since evolved to nurture talent on a longer trajectory by supporting growth and development of artists with financial and business support services. Through a series of workshops, panels, field trips and arts engagement, artists are given tools and resources to be successful in the marketplace and ensure that their projects thrive.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1987.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.