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Artists Creating Together Inc

EIN 84-1698531 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ARTISTS CREATING TOGETHER EMPOWERS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FROM WEST MICHIGAN THROUGH INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES, BOTH ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL WHILE PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND LEARNING.

Income
$395,541
Spending
$561,018
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
5
Volunteers
333
Highest pay
$101,174, executive director

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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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 94% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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 (2)
  1. $475,594 spent. ARTISTS CREATING TOGETHERS PROGRAMS BRING ART AND CREATIVITY TO THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH ART EDUCATION, CULTURAL EVENTS, EXHIBITIONS, PERFORMANCES, AND COLLABORATIVE ARTS. THE ORGANIZATION BRINGS TOGETHER ARTISTS, INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, VOLUNTEERS, TEACHING ARTISTS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO ENJOY THE ARTS TOGETHER IN INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE LOCATIONS. ARTISTS CREATING TOGETHER CONNECTS TEACHING ARTISTS WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DISABILITIES AT ALL LIFE STAGES. OUR SPECIALLY-TRAINED INSTRUCTORS ARE PROFESSIONAL WORKING ARTISTS WHO PROVIDE UNIQUE PROGRAMMING TO STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT NEEDS IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS. FROM PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL REHABILITATION HOSPITALS TO COMMUNITY-WIDE EDUCATIONAL EVENTS, WE PROVIDE ART AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION PROGRAMMING AND CLASSES THAT ENRICH AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN EVERY CORNER OF OUR COMMUNITY.
  2. ART IS A VITAL PART OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT. IT FOSTERS CRITICAL COGNITIVE SKILLS, SUCH AS SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DECISION MAKING, AND AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE, IT HAS RICH IMPLICATIONS FOR GROWTH AND LEARNING.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 March 2019.

    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.