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Passes our checks

Clay Center of New Orleans

EIN 81-5241031 · New Orleans, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak6 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

The Clay Center of New Orleans is a nonprofit organization that serves to grow support and elevate ceramic art and artists by bringing high-quality ceramic art exhibitions education outreach and professional opportunities to the city of New Orleans. Our vision is to expand access to professional-quality ceramic art education exhibitions and opportunities to the community of New Orleans and to provide local artists with the ceramic supplies facilities and workspace they need to develop their careers.

Income
$96,045
Spending
$109,415
Reserves
-5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 84%

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

Financial health

Weak: 6 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 696% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (2)
  1. $14,005 spent. Studio Programs: We offer classes workshops low-cost kiln firing service open studio and studio space for rent. Since opening our first studio in 2022 weve developed a thriving community of students and members of varied ages and backgrounds offered a wider range of ceramics classes and workshops for all levels of learners and hosted workshops by nationally-recognized visiting artists. in 2024 we offered 15.6% more educational offerings than in 2023. In 2024 we opened a dedicated members studio space and created semi-private studio spaces for resident artists.We continue to lower the barriers to entry into the ceramics world by offering affordable pricing and subsidized opportunities as part of our Community Education program. We offer low-cost kiln firing services to the general public a Studio Monitor program that reduces the cost of studio time low-cost studio access to more than 30 local artists per month and free recycled clay for all of our students. By constantly working to identify and remove barriers weve developed a diverse and supportive studio community that is representative of the city as a whole.
  2. $2,751 spent. The Exhibitions Program currently offers 6 exhibitions of contemporary ceramic artwork per year. Our gallery space is located in the ArtEgg Studios building in the heart of New Orleans and is the only gallery in New Orleans to exclusively show contemporary ceramic artwork. In-person exposure to exciting and innovative ceramic work being produced around the country serves to inspire our local ceramic artists and to connect our ceramics community to the vibrant national ceramics community. More exhibition opportunities in the Southeast expand opportunities for ceramic artists locally and nationally by providing new audiences for their work.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 November 6, 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 December 2024.

    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 August 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 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.