Writers Garret
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE WRITER'S GARRET CONNECTS PEOPLE THROUGH THE IMAGINATIVE POWER OF LANGUAGE
- Income
- $250,871
- Spending
- $227,926
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 2.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 49%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 33
- Highest pay
- $56,538, executive director
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
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 37% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 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 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)
- $156,832 spent. Literary Community - Readings, workshops, classes, and poetry contest to support local literary efforts. Programming includes free year-round peer critique workshops, and donation-based classes taught by 69 local artists and writers (5 serving for free) offered in fall and spring. Hosts annual poetry competition and literary festival in May. Provided fiscal sponsorship to emerging literary nonprofit organization within FY24-25. The variety of offerings creates an inclusive community welcoming readers and writers of every skill level. Programs served 3,401 participants over 308 hours. (In-Kind = $6,590 & 27 Volunteers)
- $21,039 spent. Educational Programs Serving Youth - Classes and workshops for youth taught by 9 local artists and writers. May occur in a formal educational setting, or outside of but in conjunction with a school, library, museum or other educational institution or organization. Content includes fostering an appreciation of and respect for language and literature, developing facility to articulate ideas and information via writing, and encouraging thoughtful self-expression through creative writing in a variety of genre. Program served 403 participants over 105 hours. (In-Kind = $0)
- $4,263 spent. Outreach - Residencies, classes and workshops taught by 5 local artists and writers (1 serving for free) in partnership with health and human service organizations. Offered to underserved populations, including individuals currently or previously experiencing physical or psychological adversity and/or trauma, including systemic disadvantage, and veterans. Content contextualizes writing and language as tools for coping with, reclaiming and reframing lived experiences to increase total wellness. Program served 335 participants over 82 hours. (In-Kind = $300)
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
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 September 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 May 1995.
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.