Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule O
- Income
- $7.3 million
- Spending
- $6.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- -3.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 78%
- Employees
- 70
- Volunteers
- 36
- Highest pay
- $283,084, executive director (to 12/31/24)
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
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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 2526 of 26 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 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 (2)
- $3.7 million spent. CAMH resources are dedicated to organizing, presenting, and touring exhibitions that showcase some of the most seminal art of today. These exhibitions are documented in publications designed for use by both scholars and the general public. Each exhibition is accompanied by educational and outreach programs that complement the exhibition and make the art on view more accessible to both experienced museum-goers and new audiences. As one of the nation's oldest non-collecting museums and one of Houston's first major art institutions, CAMH plays a vital role in shaping the region's cultural community by showcasing the work of regional artists and by bringing the works of national and international artists to the city of Houston.
- $568,775 spent. To further the Museum's mission, CAMH produces a series of educational and outreach programs to encourage a greater understanding of contemporary art. These programs include public school outreach and tours, family events, scholarships, concerts, and lectures, including a distinguished artist lecture series. The Education department hires graduate students and local artists to work as tour guides and facilitators for each exhibition. The Museum's Teen Council, made up of area high school students, develops small exhibits and programming relating to current exhibitions. CAMH has expanded its accessibility to include American Sign Language tours, tours in multiple languages, and exhibition information in Spanish and English.
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
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 June 2025.
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 1949.
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.