Creative Clay Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission is to help people with disabilities achieve full and inclusive lives through access to the arts by providing expressive, educational and vocational experiences.
- Income
- $728,463
- Spending
- $672,456
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 13.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 50%
- Employees
- 20
- Volunteers
- 28
- Highest pay
- $56,505, ceo
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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 94% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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)
- $481,197 spent. Research suggests that exposure and inclusion of individuals with disabilities within the general population improves outcomes in a variety of domains, including access to health care, employment, decreased isolation, improved community safety and decreased abuse. At Creative Clay, artists with disabilities receive training and participate in a vocation as professional artists alongside other working artists. We provide the individuals we serve with a sense of belonging and connection to St. Petersburgs arts community. Research further indicates that exposure is not enough to reduce prejudice toward individuals with disabilities; the quality of interaction significantly affects the attitudes of the public. When a Creative Clay member artist goes into the community, they do so as representatives of our organization and professionals with a unique perspective to share. Our member artists market their work at gallery openings, partner exhibits, on radio and television shows, fundraisers, art festivals and other collaborative community events, and they receive a 50% commission for every piece of artwork they sell. Creative Clay has provided local artists with disabilities, as well as people in healthcare settings, the opportunity for expressive, educational, and vocational arts experiences since 1995. The organizations wide range of innovative programs and special events celebrate community and the richness of our local and regional arts. Creative Clays daily studio and outreach programs serve over 100 unique individuals per year between the ages of 6 and 80. We estimate that approximately 2500 individuals within the community are impacted by our organizations gallery openings, festivals, workshops, and collaborative exhibits and events. 80% of the individuals who attend our daily programs have physical, cognitive and/or mental health disabilities, but all have expressed a desire to learn how to create art, hone existing art skills, work toward creating art that is gallery ready, market their art, speak with gallery visitors about their art, advocate for themselves as an individual in society who has a disability, and dispel myths that exist surrounding those with disabilities. Our seven programs include Community Arts, Transition, Creative Care, Artlink Apprenticeship, Summer Youth Arts Camp, Summer Studio and Open Studio.
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 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 December 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 December 1995.
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.