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John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art Foundation

EIN 59-6214423 · Sarasota, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE RINGLING IS A PLACE OF ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND CIRCUS IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT INSPIRES, EDUCATES, ENTERTAINS, AND HONORS THE LEGACY OF JOHN & MABLE RINGLING.

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
52%
Reserves
9.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
0
Volunteers
380
Highest pay
$398,832, executive director

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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    52% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    30 of 30 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. $719,769 spent. SOME 11 EXHIBITIONS HAD DATES THAT FELL WITHIN THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR. EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:SANDY RODRIGUEZ: CURRENTS OF RESISTANCE (APRIL 5, 2025 - AUGUST 10, 2025)CONJURING THE SPIRIT WORLD: ART, MAGIC, AND MEDIUMS (MARCH 15, 2025 - JUNE 24, 2025)ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG: A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION (MARCH 1, 2025 - AUGUST 3, 2025)RADICAL CLAY: CONTEMPORARY WOMEN ARTISTS FROM JAPAN (JULY 27, 2024 - MAY 11, 2025)
  2. $619,180 spent. MAINTAINING, INTERPRETING, AND CONSERVING THE PERMANENT COLLECTION OF OVER 60,000 OBJECTS AS WELL AS AN ARCHIVES COLLECTION AND AN ART RESEARCH LIBRARY THAT SERVES THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE RINGLING HAD 370,596 VISITORS IN FY25 AND 8,233 MEMBERSHIP AND CIRCLE HOUSEHOLDS.
  3. $459,703 spent. LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ARE OFFERED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, EDUCATORS, AND STUDENTS FROM ELEMENTARY TO UNIVERSITY LEVEL. PROGRAMS INCLUDE LECTURES ON THE ARTS AND HISTORY OF THE CIRCUS, FAMILY EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES IN THE GALLERIES, LESSON PLANS FOR EDUCATORS ABOUT THE RINGLING COLLECTIONS, UNIVERSITY SEMINARS ON A SPECTRUM OF CULTURAL TOPICS, AND UNIVERSITY INTERN PROGRAMS IN WHICH STUDENTS OBTAIN AN OVERVIEW OF THE BUSINESS OF MUSEUMS. IN ADDITION, THE RINGLING HOSTS SCHOOL GROUP TOURS FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

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 November 6, 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 March 1969.

    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 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.