Northwest Michigan Arts and Culture Network
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE NORTHWEST MICHIGAN ARTS & CULTURE NETWORK ("THE NETWORK") IS TO HARNESS THE COLLECTIVE POWER OF THE CREATIVE SECTOR TO CULTIVATE VIBRANT COMMUNITIES BY STRENGTHENING THE REGIONAL ECOSYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS ARTS AND CULTURE. WE DO OUR WORK THROUGH NETWORKING, EDUCATION, PROMOTION, GRANT OPPORTUNITIES, AND BACKBONE SERVICES TO SERVE AND STRENGTHEN NORTHWEST MICHIGAN'S ARTS, CULTURE AND CREATIVE SECTOR.
- Income
- $92,915
- Spending
- $138,923
- Spent on programs
- 60%
- Reserves
- 3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 46%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $44,583, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 50% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 51% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1560% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (3)
- $38,000 spent. REDESIGNED THE ANNUAL ART & CULTURE SUMMIT IN RESPONSE TO COLLECTED FEEDBACK FROM CONSTITUENTS AND PAST ATTENDEES. THE UPDATED GATHERING SHIFTED FROM AN INFORMATIONAL APPROACH TO A MORE INSPIRATIONAL GATHERING DESIGNED TO MEET THE PRIMARY NEED FOR GREATER CONNECTION IN THE ARTS AND CULTURE SECTOR. THE EVENT WAS EXPANDED TO TWO DAYS, MOVED TO DOWNTOWN TRAVERSE CITY, AND INCLUDED KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AND REGIONAL PERFORMERS, VISUAL ARTS, AND EXPERIENCES ALONG WITH THE EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND BREAKOUT SESSIONS THAT HAVE BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF THIS LONGSTANDING EVENT. THE NEW SUMMIT CONVENED 150 INDIVIDUALS FROM THE ARTS COMMUNITY FROM 15 COUNTIES, AND OVER 40 PRESENTERS AND PERFORMERS.
- $28,000 spent. DEVELOPED PILOT PROGRAMMING DESIGNED IN RESPONSE TO EXPRESSED NEEDS OF THE ARTS SECTOR. THE RESULTING PROGRAMS ARE CAFFEINATED CONVERSATIONS-A REGULAR CONVENING DESIGNED FOR RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING THROUGH TOPICAL, FACILITATED DISCUSSION, AND LEVEL UP-A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES DESIGNED FOR THE ARTS AND CULTURE COMMUNITY. OVER 100 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN THESE PROGRAMS OVER THE COURSE OF THE FISCAL YEAR, EARNING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO DEEPEN THE IMPACT OF THEIR OWN WORK THAT STRENGTHENS THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
- $17,704 spent. PROVIDED ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATION, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT TO OVER 100 INDIVIDUALS AND ARTS & CULTURE NONPROFITS ACROSS 10 COUNTIES. THIS SUPPORT INCLUDES LISTENING SESSIONS, CAPACITY-BUILDING INSIGHT AND ADVICE, AND DIRECT CONNECTION TO OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES. THESE EFFORTS STRENGTHEN THE FABRIC OF OUR REGIONAL CULTURAL ECOSYSTEM, BENEFITTING THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC HEALTH OF THE REGION.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 September 2025.
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 December 2018.
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 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.