Ventura County Arts Council
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The organization advances the arts in Ventura County providing arts education in schools, and opportunities in schools, other creative settings, advocating for local artists, arts organizations,partnerships among artists, supporters, business,foundations and county organizations.
- Income
- $473,310
- Spending
- $380,142
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 8.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 65%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 1
- Highest pay
- $79,990, executive directoroperations
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 39% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 24% 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
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
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 December 31, 2023, 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 (4)
- $125,936 spent. The organizations collaborated with the Central Coast Creative Corps (CCCC) by providing administrative support to the CCCCs community based organizations across Montery, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
- $112,553 spent. The organizations Artists in the Classroom program is the only multi-disciplinary arts teaching residency program available to every K-8 school in Ventura County, offfering eight-week residencies in dance, music, poetry, visual and performing arts taught by professional artist educators. Instructors tailor the program to appropriate grade levels and with multi-cultural and historical awareness, helping students gain an understanding of their own and other cultures, past and present
- $65,330 spent. The organizations Arts & Youth Justice Program employs teaching artists to provide literary and arts instruction in the countys juvenile hall, at Providence School, Ventura Countys year-round school managed by the Probation Department, in the state-run youth facility, at several Evening Reporting Centers and at residential treatment programs serving system-engaged youth
- $16,590 spent. The Atrium Gallery located in the Ventura County Government Center Hall of Administration, is managed by Ventura County Arts Council to provide a wide array of visual arts from diverse artists for the commnitys enjoyment and education, while coexisting within an active public workspace. Juried competitive shows are held throughout the year, including an annual county employee/retiree show co-sponsored by the National Arts Program. Fors most shows, any artist may enter their work for jurying for free. Prizes are awarded
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, 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 November 6, 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 December 2023.
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 July 1997.
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 November 4, 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.