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Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation Inc

EIN 59-2807055 · Sarasota, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CREATE AND SUSTAIN A VIBRANT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, ADVANCE EDUCATION, AND ENRICH COMMUNITIES BY INSPIRING MINDS THROUGH THE POWER OF THE ARTS.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$6.4 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
21.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
11
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$426,752, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 128% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 63% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 June 30, 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. $806,918 spent. THE FOUNDATION USES ARTS STRATEGIES AND PRACTICES A TO SUPPORT ACADEMIC SUCCESS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL BEING IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ITS MISSION & IMPACT DEPARTMENT. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH ARTIST IN RESIDENCY PROGRAMS, MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILY PROGRAMS, AND ARTS AND WELLNESS ACTIVITITES. OVER 1,000 FAMILY MEMBERS ARE SERVED THROUGH MULTIGENERATIONAL ARTS PROGRAMMING.
  2. $525,885 spent. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES GRANTS TO THE VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL TO SUPPORT ITS EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND TO LOCAL TEACHERS THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THIS INCLUDES FUNDING FOR TICKETS AND BUSING FOR 25,000 STUDENTS TO ATTEND SCHOOLTIME PERFORMANCES ANNUALLY; FUNDING FOR TEACHERS TO SUPPLEMENT THE STUDENTS' EXPERIENCE IN THE CLASSROOM USING ARTS INTEGRATIVE LEARNING TECHNIQUES; FUNDING FOR MASTER CLASSES FOR TEACHERS; AND FUNDING FOR YOUTH, FAMILIES, SENIORS, MILITARY FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO SEE, EXPERIENCE AND PARTICIPATE IN LIVE SHOWS AND EVENTS.
  3. $3.6 million spent. ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2018, THE SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION APPROVED THE BAYFRONT MASTER PLAN WITH A NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT THE HEART OF THE BAY PARK THAT WILL BECOME THE NEXUS OF PERFORMING ARTS IN OUR REGION FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. THE FOUNDATION AND THE CITY OF SARASOTA HAVE HAD A THRIVING CULTURAL PARTNERSHIP FOR OVER THREE DECADES. ON APRIL 4, 2022, THE FOUNDATION'S PARTNERSHIP ROLE EXPANDED WITH THE SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION APPROVING THE EXECUTION OF A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT FOR THE PLANNING, FINANCING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW SARASOTA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. TOGETHER, BOTH PARTIES HAVE LAID THE NECESSARY GROUNDWORK-SURVEYS, FEASIBILITY STUDIES, ENGINEERING STUDIES, AND COST ESTIMATES. THE NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER WILL BE MORE THAN A BUILDING. AS A FINANCIALLY ROBUST, YEAR-ROUND CIVIC ASSET, SARASOTA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER WILL ENHANCE SARASOTA'S REPUTATION AS A REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL DESTINATION. THE BUILDING PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO ACCESSIBILITY AND UNIVERSAL DESIGN THAT CAN BE USED BY EVERYONE AND WILL INCLUDE A 2,200 -SEAT MAIN STAGE INCLUDING CENTER AISLE(S), 300-SEAT FLEXIBLE MULTIPURPOSE SPACE, EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING SPACES .

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 June 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 May 1988.

    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 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.