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Dairy Center for the Arts

EIN 84-1149609 · Boulder, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE DAIRY ARTS CENTER CONNECTS A DYNAMIC AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY TO CREATE INSPIRING AND ENGAGING EXPERIENCES IN THE PERFORMING, CINEMATIC, AND VISUAL ARTS.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
18.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 43%
Employees
56
Volunteers
79
Highest pay
$141,280, executive di

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 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 (1)
  1. $1.9 million spent. THE DAIRY ARTS CENTER IS THE LARGEST MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ARTS CENTER IN BOULDER. THE 42,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY HOUSES THREE THEATERS, FOUR VISUAL ART GALLERIES, A SPACIOUS LOBBY, FULL CONCESSIONS, 65 SEAT CINEMA, 3 BALLET STUDIOS, AND 26 MUSIC STUDIOS. THE DAIRY ARTS CENTER PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL LIVE PERFORMANCE SUPPORT TO MORE THAN 100 LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING TICKETING SYSTEMS, BOX OFFICE SERVICES, BUILDING MAINTENANCE, THEATRICAL SUPPORT, CONCESSIONS AND THEATER VENUE, STUDIO AND OFFICE RENTALS. "DAIRY PRESENTS" PROVIDES ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING DESIGNED TO SUPPLEMENT ARTISTIC CONTENT PROVIDED BY THE MANY RENTING ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND INCLUDES: MUSIC CONCERTS, COMEDY, MAGIC, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY EVENTS, VISUAL ART EXHIBITIONS, AND A FULL SLATE OF FOREIGN AND INDEPENDENT FILMS SCREENED IN OUR ART HOUSE CINEMA. EXPENSES FOR PROGRAMS INCLUDE: ARTIST FEES; COMPENSATION FOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR, THEATER TECH DIRECTORS, VISUAL ARTS CURATOR, ART EXHIBIT INSTALLERS, BOX OFFICE STAFF, MARKETING DIRECTOR, CINEMA STAFF, AND CONCESSIONS STAFF; TICKETING PLATFORM, TICKET PRINTERS & SUPPLIES; AND ALL EXPENSES IN SUPPORT OF OVERALL FACILITY AND TECH MAINTENANCE TO INCLUDE ALL THEATERS, PUBLIC SPACES, GALLERY SPACES, AND A PORTION OF OUR TENANT SPACES. THE DAIRY ARTS CENTER IS THE LARGEST MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ARTS CENTER IN BOULDER. THE 42,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY HOUSES THREE THEATERS, FOUR VISUAL ART GALLERIES, A SPACIOUS LOBBY, FULL CONCESSIONS, 65 SEAT CINEMA, 3 BALLET STUDIOS, AND 26 MUSIC STUDIOS. THE DAIRY ARTS CENTER PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL LIVE PERFORMANCE SUPPORT TO MORE THAN 100 LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING TICKETING SYSTEMS, BOX OFFICE SERVICES, BUILDING MAINTENANCE, THEATRICAL SUPPORT, CONCESSIONS AND THEATER VENUE, STUDIO AND OFFICE RENTALS. "DAIRY PRESENTS" PROVIDES ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING DESIGNED TO SUPPLEMENT ARTISTIC CONTENT PROVIDED BY THE MANY RENTING ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND INCLUDES: MUSIC CONCERTS, COMEDY, MAGIC, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY EVENTS, VISUAL ART EXHIBITIONS, AND A FULL SLATE OF FOREIGN AND INDEPENDENT FILMS SCREENED IN OUR ART HOUSE CINEMA. EXPENSES FOR PROGRAMS INCLUDE: ARTIST FEES; COMPENSATION FOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR, THEATER TECH DIRECTORS, VISUAL ARTS CURATOR, ART EXHIBIT INSTALLERS, BOX OFFICE STAFF, MARKETING DIRECTOR, CINEMA STAFF, AND CONCESSIONS STAFF; TICKETING PLATFORM, TICKET PRINTERS & SUPPLIES; AND ALL EXPENSES IN SUPPORT OF OVERALL FACILITY AND TECH MAINTENANCE TO INCLUDE ALL THEATERS, PUBLIC SPACES, GALLERY SPACES, AND A PORTION OF OUR TENANT SPACES.

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 June 1992.

    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.