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St Johns County Cultural Council Inc

EIN 59-3581209 · St Augustine, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND TO PROMOTE ST. JOHNS COUNTY AS A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR CULTURAL TRAVELERS, ENSURING THAT THE LIVES OF BOTH RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ARE ENRICHED THROUGH ART, CULTURE, HISTORY, AND HERITAGE.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
7.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
10

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

Financial health

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 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 (2)
  1. $966,583 spent. THE ST. JOHNS CULTURAL COUNCIL ("SJCC") HAS AN ACTIVE AGREEMENT WITH ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO ADMINISTER THE PORTION OF THE COUNTY'S TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX REVENUE DESIGNATED FOR SUPPORT OF ARTS, CULTURE, AND HERITAGE PROGRAMMING. ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDED 1) REVISING THE COUNTY'S PRIOR GRANT GUIDELINES TO BETTER COMPLY WITH THE FLORIDA STATUTES AND INCREASE SUPPORT FOR ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING, 2) HOSTING GRANTS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS, AND 3) MAINTAINING A STRATEGIC MARKETING PLAN FOR PROMOTION OF ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE ACTIVITIES FUNDED WITH TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX FUNDS. GRANTS WERE REVIEWED AND AWARDED FOR CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. ACTUAL PAYMENTS OF THE GRANTS ARE ADMINISTERED BY ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
  2. $499,133 spent. THE SJCC PROVIDES GRANTS AND FUNDING FOR CONTRACTUAL SERVICES TO LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS. FUNDING FOR THESE PROGRAMS COMES FROM THE SALE OF "STATE OF THE ARTS" LICENSE PLATES AND INDIVIDUALS. PROGRAM FUNDING PROMOTES ART EDUCATION, DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC ART, AND INCREASED ACCESS TO ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS OF AND VISITORS TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 August 2000.

    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.