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Texas Folklife Resources

EIN 74-2360058 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Texas Folklife is dedicated to preserving presenting and promoting the diverse folk and traditional arts and cultural heritage of Texas and to supporting the artists and communities who sustain them.

Income
$385,489
Spending
$997,493
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
30.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
6
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$110,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 30.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 159% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 90% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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, 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. $482,088 spent. Texas Folklife works across the State of Texas with a variety of community partners to cultivate present and embolden the States rich cultural legacy through a vibrant mix of public programs and initiatives including: *Performances *Exhibitions *Education programs & curriculum materials *Apprenticeships *Multimedia projects *Fiscal sponsorships *Folk and traditional arts infrastructure building *Archive preservation projects.
  2. $83,715 spent. Texas Folklifes Apprenticeship Program supports the preservation and transmission of traditional arts by pairing master artists with apprentices across the state. During the tax year the program facilitated 16 pairs representing diverse cultural traditions including conjunto music adobe house construction fiddling paper flower making and Mexican folk dance. Apprentices and masters engaged in over 80 hours of mentorship and skill-sharing culminating in public showcases and digital storytelling presentations that reached more than 1,000 audience members statewide. This program strengthens intergenerational knowledge transfer supports artist sustainability and ensures cultural traditions remain vital within Texas communities.
  3. $132,802 spent. Public Programs and Performances Texas Folklifes public programs-including the Big Squeeze statewide accordion contest Bridging Borders Accordion Kings and Queens and Austin Salon Series-celebrate the rich and evolving folk arts of Texas. These programs collectively served over 3,500 participants and audiences through in-person and virtual performances artist talks and cultural showcases. The organization also produced educational materials and digital archives that extended audience reach to 4,000 online viewers. These programs foster cultural appreciation support working artists and engage the broader public in the preservation of Texass living heritage.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 July 1985.

    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.