Documentary Arts Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Advance of the Arts, heritage & culture
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $1.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 16.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Highest pay
- $145,000, pres/treasurer
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 16.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 48% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 676% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (11)
- $1.1 million spent. Stompin At the Savoy: Musical production depicting the Autobiography of Lindy Hopper from Harlem Renaissance Era
- $201,981 spent. Center for Photography at Woodstock / Apeture Foundation: Joint Publishing Project
- $14,706 spent. Truth in Photography: WEbsite Produced by Documentary Arts which asks the question "Where does the truth lie in photography?"
- $12,473 spent. Archives / France: Explores the extraordinary and sometimes difficult lives of blacks in Paris from the 19th century to present day
- $10,640 spent. Texas African American Photography Archive: As important to the community as it is to scholars at large because it addresses political and social movements and the cultural life in Texas
- $7,525 spent. UT Dallas Exhibit focusing on documentary style exhibits that explore social issues
- $6,867 spent. Deep Ellum Foundation, Deep Ellum Community and Documentary Arts sponser exhibits such as When you go Down in Deep Ellum, Unlikely Blues and Invisible Deep Ellum
- $5,436 spent. Jasper: A tribute to a group of African American volunteers in Jasper, Texas who overcame adversity through hard work, self-reliance and community engagement demonstrating a path forward against all odds
- $4,818 spent. Everyday Culture: works of art that explore ordinary aspects of life such as daily rituals, common objects and community activities
- $2,250 spent. Lonesome Blues: a one man musical of the life of Blind Lemon Jefferson
- $2,138 spent. Anne Morgan: Documentary of the life of Anne Morgan known for her work in advancing women's rights, improving conditions for immigrant workers in the US and humanitarian relief in post World War 1 France
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.