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Sebastopol Center for the Arts

EIN 68-0168638 · Sebastopol, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Enriching Lives Through the Arts

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 50%
Employees
22
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$100,523, executive dir.

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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    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 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 (3)
  1. $392,989 spent. Visual Arts / Gallery ProgramSebastopol Center for the Arts curates year-round exhibitions that showcase regional, national, and international artists across a variety of media. Exhibits are juried or curated and reflect themes relevant to contemporary social, cultural, and environmental issues. The gallery is free and open to the public, providing equitable access to the visual arts for thousands of visitors annually. In 2024, SebArts presented eight exhibitions, including solo and group shows, themed juried exhibitions, and community-based installations. Accompanying programming included artist talks, panel discussions, and public receptions, fostering dialogue and connection through the arts.
  2. $231,219 spent. Education ProgramSebArts delivers a broad range of arts education programs designed to engagelearners across the lifespan. In 2024, the Education Program included after-schoolarts classes for youth, school partnerships, summer camps, adult workshops, andintergenerational arts events. Disciplines included painting, printmaking, fiber arts, mixed media, photography, and more. The program prioritizes accessibility through need-based scholarships, sliding scale tuition, and bilingual instruction when possible. More than 500 individuals participated in education programming, many of them from underserved communities within Sonoma County.
  3. $188,117 spent. Ceramics ProgramSebArts operates a robust community ceramics studio serving youth and adult artistsof all skill levels. The program provides access to professional-grade kilns, wheels, and tools in a communal studio setting. Classes, workshops, and independent studio hours are offered throughout the year. In 2024, over 300 participants engaged in ceramics programming, including beginners exploring creative expression andadvanced artists producing work for sale and exhibition. The studio also hosts visiting artist workshops, special raku firings, and public demonstrations during local arts events.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1989.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.