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Lawndale Art and Performance Center

EIN 76-0278775 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Lawndale is a multidisciplinary contemporary art center that engages Houston communities with exhibitions and programs that explore the aesthetic, critical, and social issues of our time.See Schedule O for continuation.For over 40 years, Lawndale has filled a vital need in Houston's art community as an incubator for exhibitions, performances, and conversations, encompassing many perspectives. Lawndale is committed to introducing audiences of all ages and backgrounds to multidisciplinary contemporary art and advancing the careers of artists living and working in Texas.

Income
$677,763
Spending
$556,424
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
4
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$94,560, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 56% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    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

    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 July 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 (2)
  1. $265,210 spent. Lawndale serves as an intimate gathering place for experiencing new art and ideas. Our core programming comprises original exhibitions and commissioned works through our Mary E. Bawden Sculpture Garden and Main Street Windows Project. Lawndale's public programs include artist-driven conversations, lectures, and workshops; literary readings in partnership with fellow arts organizations; musical performances through our They Who Sound series; and special fundraising events. With the support of an Advisory Board composed of artists, curators, and scholars, Lawndale's mission prioritizes merit and a balance of diverse artistic practices that equitably reflect Houston's expanding population.
  2. $119,905 spent. The Artist Studio Program (ASP) exemplifies Lawndale's steadfast commitment to supporting the careers of visual artists in the Gulf Coast region. Since 2006, ASP has become a crucial hub for Houston's creative community, thanks to the steady pipeline of artists the residency attracts, many of whom had previously existed on the fringes. ASP invites three artists annually for a nine-month residency from September through May. Each resident artist receives a monthly stipend of $750 toward the cost of living, a $2,000 materials stipend for the creation of new work, 24-hour access to a private studio, and the institutional support of Lawndale, including regular studio visits with area artists, curators, and academics. See Schedule O for continuation.Each Spring, Lawndale mounts an exhibition of the residents' work produced during the residency term. Each resident artist leads individualized public programs with their exhibition to complement their artwork.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending July 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1989.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.