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Contemporary Art for San Antonio

EIN 74-2419615 · San Antonio, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CONTEMPORARY AT BLUE STAR INSPIRES THE CREATIVE GENIUS IN US ALL BY NURTURING ARTISTS THROUGH INNOVATIVE CONTEMPORARY ART.

Income
$992,754
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
14
Volunteers
52
Highest pay
$111,016, executive di

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

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $989,167 spent. EXHIBITIONS - THE CONTEMPORARY PRESENTS MULTIPLE ONSITE AND OFFSITE EXHIBITIONS EACH YEAR, INSPIRING AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS BY HIGHLIGHTING CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS AND THEIR WORK THROUGH SHARED EXPERIENCES. COMPLEMENTARY PUBLIC PROGRAMS PROVIDE SPACE FOR INQUIRY, REFLECTION, AND EXPLORATION. THE CONTEMPORARY IS W.A.G.E. CERTIFIED, AND ALL ARTISTS ARE PAID FOR THEIR CREATIVE WORK. ADMISSION IS FREE FOR EVERYONE TO THE CONTEMPORARY.
  2. EDUCATION - THE CONTEMPORARY INVESTS IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS THROUGH TUITION-FREE ARTS EDUCATION, WITH INITIATIVES LIKE THE IN-SCHOOL CREATIVE CLASSROOMS FOR K-12 STUDENTS AND THE AFTER-SCHOOL MOSAIC STUDENT ARTIST PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, THAT NURTURE CREATIVE THINKING AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEALTHY SELF-REFLECTION.
  3. BERLIN - THE CONTEMPORARY ENCOURAGES ARTISTS TO PURSUE BOLD IDEAS AND INNOVATE IN THEIR CAREERS. THE BERLIN RESIDENCY PROGRAM FOSTERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR BEXAR COUNTY ARTISTS. WHILE IN RESIDENCE AT THE KNSTLERHAUS BETHANIEN, ARTISTS HAVE ACCESS TO A LIVE/WORK STUDIO SPACE, A WORKSHOP, PEER ARTISTS, AND VISITING CURATORS. THEIR WORK IS FEATURED IN THE BILINGUAL, INTERNATIONALLY DISTRIBUTED BE MAGAZINE.

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 July 1986.

    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.