Passes our checks

Gulf Coast-A Journal of Literature & Fine Arts

EIN 76-0369258 · Houston, TX

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

What it says it does

To publish and promote literature.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 96 out of 100.

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 16.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20
It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 81 out of 100.

Independent board
25 of 25
19 of 19 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10
Reports 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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)

$156,424 spent. Gulf Coast promotes and publishes quality literature in our local and national communities while teaching excellence in literary publishing to graduate and undergraduate students. We are committed to providing a balanced combination of literary approaches and voices. All of the editorial positions are two-year terms, ensuring a regular turnover in the specific personality and style of the journal. The journal is produced and distributed each April and October, reaching over 5,500 individuals and institutions. The journal publishes Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Reviews, and Art, offering a creative venue for over 180 emerging and established writers and artists. Our readership of the print journal exceeds 3,000, with more coming to our ever-expanding website.
$28,472 spent. Gulf Coast hosts or participates in several community-based literary events. The journal has enhanced its community presence with the Gulf Coast Reading Series, a monthly gathering at the Lawndale Art Center, and its annual Spring Issue Release Party. These events continue bringing esteemed writers, editors, publishers, and readers to Houston. Each Spring, Gulf Coast students attend the AWP Conference & Bookfair, which seeks to expand the subscription base and exposure of Gulf Coast Literary Journal.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 November 1993.
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.