Passes our checks

Bay Area Glass Institute Inc

EIN 77-0444349 · San Jose, CA

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

What it says it does

See Schedule O

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

Reserves
28 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 33 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

Independent board
25 of 25
8 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15
Reports no 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
0 of 5
Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10
Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
9 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (1)

$1.3 million spent. BAGI's focus is to provide facilities to local artist to develop their craft and make glass art accessible to the public. The BAGI facility consists of the hot shop with two work stations, a work area for glass fusing, and work area for torch working, cold working equipment, the gallery, the gift shop, and storage areas for the artists and students. The facility is available 7 days a week from 8am to 10pm for artists to work. Because most emerging artists hold other jobs to support themselves, it is critical that the facility is open evenings and weekends. BAGI facilities provide classes to beginning artists and the general public in glass, blowing, fusing, and torch working. BAGI hires as employees the BAGI artists to teach and "TA" these classes. BAGI additionally provides practice time at reduced rates to our students to assist our students to develop their skills. BAGI's annual public access programs include the Great Glass Pumpkin Patch in Palo Alto, Santana Row Pumpkin Patch, Visiting Artist Series, and Holiday Glass and Ornament Sale. Solid planning, budgeting and marketing along with strong artist support allowed BAGI to create well-attended, publicly accessible events.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.
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 October 1997.
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.