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Archie Bray Foundation

EIN 81-0284022 · Helena, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO ARE SERIOUSLY INTERESTED IN ANY BRANCH OF THE CERAMIC ARTS, A FINE PLACE TO WORK. THE CORPORATION WILL PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR THE CREATION OF ARTISTIC WORKS AND ASSOCIATION WITH OTHER SERIOUS ARTISTS AS THE FOUNDATION FOR CREATIVE GROWTH.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
4.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
54
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$144,047, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (1)
  1. $1.7 million spent. THE PRIMARY MISSION OF THE ARCHIE BRAY FOUNDATION (THE "FOUNDATION"} IS TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT STIMULATES CREATIVE WORK IN CERAMICS - FOR ARTISTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS, CHILDREN, CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS, COLLECTORS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE BRAY WAS FOUNDED IN 1951 AS THE FIRST RESIDENCY PROGRAM IN THE UNITED STATES DEVOTED TO CERAMICS. TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THE BRAY, THE ABF FUND WAS FOUNDED AS A SUPPORTING FOUNDATION IN 2022. WORKING TOGETHER, THE MISSIONS OF THE ORGANIZATIONS ARE TO ALLOW THE BRAY TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT STIMULATES, PROMOTES, AND EXHIBITS INNOVATIVE, CREATIVE WORK IN CERAMICS. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED PRIMARILY THROUGH A YEAR-ROUND RESIDENCY PROGRAM. THE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE STUDIO SPACE, FUNDING, AND FACILITIES FOR CERAMIC ARTISTS WITH DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, CULTURES, AND AESTHETIC APPROACHES TO ADVANCE THEIR WORK.THROUGH THE PUBLIC WORK OF THE BRAY, THE ORGANIZATIONS SERVE BOTH THE FIELD OF CERAMIC ARTS AS WELL AS THE REGIONAL AND LOCAL COMMUNITY THROUGH A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, EXHIBITIONS, A CERAMIC SUPPLY, PUBLIC EVENTS, LECTURES, SCHOOL TOURS, AND A PERMANENT COLLECTION OF CERAMICS AVAILABLE FOR SCHOLARS INTERESTED IN RESEARCHING CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS FROM THE 60'S TO PRESENT TIME. ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, THE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE SERVED THE FIELD OF CERAMICS BY BRINGING TOGETHER ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WITH TALENT, CURIOSITY AND COMMITMENT AND PROVIDING THEM WITH THE FACILITIES AND FREEDOM TO EXPLORE THEIR CREATIVE VOICES.THE ORGANIZATIONS WORK TOGETHER TO ALLOW THE BRAY TO OFFER TEN LONG-TERM RESIDENCIES THAT LAST FOR UP TO TWO YEARS, TEN SUMMER RESIDENCIES, AND 6-8 SHORT-TERM RESIDENCIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. RESIDENTS ARE SELECTED ANNUALLY FROM A POOL OF APPLICANTS BY A ROTATING PANEL OF THREE REVIEWERS INCLUDING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. ALL RESIDENTS RECEIVE FREE STUDIO SPACE, EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES, DISCOUNTED MATERIALS, AND ACCESS TO ONE OF THE TOP KILN-FIRING FACILITIES IN THE UNITED STATES.DEDICATED TO SERVING THE MONTANA AND HELENA COMMUNITIES, THE ORGANIZATIONS HOST ANNUAL PROGRAMMING AT THE BRAY AND IN OTHER VENUES WHICH IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, CLASSES FOR VOCATIONAL ARTISTS, AND A CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR MORE ACCOMPLISHED CERAMICISTS TAUGHT BY ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. SITE-SPECIFIC SCULPTURES MADE BY RESIDENT ARTISTS ARE FEATURED THROUGHOUT THE 26-ACRE CAMPUS WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR A SELF-GUIDED TOUR DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. SCHOOL GROUPS MAKE REQUESTS FOR GUIDED TOURS.

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

    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 September 1955.

    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.