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Carpe Diem Arts Inc

EIN 81-4336754 · Silver Spring, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Carpe Diem Arts' mission is to inspire creative self-expression that empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and builds better futures. Through shared arts experiences, individuals of diverse age and culture discover hidden talents and new interests, develop socio-emotional skills, experience personal growth, and build lasting relationships. Led by professional teaching artists, our programs engage and excite participants and help shape our collective tomorrow, bringing the arts to life in ways that matter.

Income
$364,301
Spending
$327,241
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
7
Volunteers
41
Highest pay
$50,000, executive director (thru 8/3/25)

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

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 58% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

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

  • 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 June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $57,369 spent. Daily Antidote of Song is a free, virtual program that brings people together for one song every day-over 2,000 consecutive days of music! Featuring 500+ artists, including Grammy & Juno winners, it offers songs of joy, hope, and social justice. Initially engaging those who were feeling lonely and isolated due to the pandemic, the program lifts the spirits of anyone who is feeling low by engaging them in song, imbuing them with "vitamin H for Harmony" as one artist said, and providing a means for them to connect with others. Tune in live at noon ET on Zoom (carpediemarts.org/daily-antidote-of-song) or watch past sessions on YouTube (youtube.com/@DailyAntidoteofSong). Presented by Carpe Diem Arts.
  2. $44,465 spent. Arts Alive Seniors Outreach Program: Our Arts Alive program at County Senior Centers, rec centers, and senior living communities provides the opportunity for seniors to join actively in various forms of art and movement with other seniors, building connections and honing new skills. Led by skilled teaching artists, seniors experience thinking, creativity, and experimenting and report "wonderful feelings... very happy and fulfilled."
  3. $36,672 spent. Our Arts Camp program is comprised of sleepaway and day camps. At weeklong sleepaway arts camp on Maryland's Eastern Shore, campers are provided a safe space to explore new art forms, see the world through a fresh lens, and build friendships. The primary focus is on the visual arts, with a healthy dose of song and dance, outdoor activities and field trips. Our weeklong day camps are located in the Takoma Park/Silver Spring area of Maryland, with a one week arts camp for elementary school, a one week camp for middle schoolers that emphasizes arts for social change, and one-week Spanish immersion arts camps.
  4. $75,355 spent. Other program expenses include Ukes on the Move residencies bringing the joy of instrument ownership, skill-building, and performance to 3rd and 4th graders; Jump Start with the Arts for pre-schoolers and their caregivers; Youth ArtBeat providing arts engagement out of school time; cultural arts Assemblies in schools; and other community outreach programs (Community Sings, Community Dances, Community Events, Concerts, etc).

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2017.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.