Steffen Thomas Museum & Archives Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 30% 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 MISSION OF THE STEFFEN THOMAS MUSEUM OF ART IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE, TO LEARN, AND TO BE INSPIRED THROUGH STEFFAN'S LIFE, ART AND LEGACY.
- Income
- $316,895
- Spending
- $297,850
- Spent on programs
- 30%
- Reserves
- 0 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 78%
- Employees
- 3
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
Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Spending floor
0 of 1530% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (1)
- ExhibitionsSpecial exhibitions, which include work by contemporary artists as well as Steffen Thomas, serve as a cornerstone for the museums programs. The more permanent displays of Thomass work are located in the Main Gallery, History Gallery, and Steffen Thomas Family Gallery. Temporary exhibitions occur in the West Gallery. The exhibition Queer Perspectives was on view August 10, 2024, to January 4, 2025, and featured the work of 13 Georgia-based LGBTQ+ artists. Queer Perspectives was not only an excellent opportunity to connect and foster a wider understanding with the LGBTQ artists here in Georgia. The work, and the artists, were incredibly well-received, several works sold, and many new people were introduced to the museum. The second exhibition was titled Touch Grass, featuring art by Steffen Thomas, Senora Lynch, and Raven Waters with a special exhibition by Alex Huynh in partnership with the Georgia Writers Museum, on vie January 25 to June 30, 2025. This exhibition focused on the popular phase touch grass, meaning for people to enjoy the outdoors rather than technology. The focus included paintings of people participating in outdoor activities, native American pottery, and a young, high school Georgia girl who has written and illustrated her own book and won several award and recognitions. Numerous pieces of Senora Lynch, Raven Waters, and Alex Huynhs art were sold during this exhibit.
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 November 6, 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 July 1999.
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 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.