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Friends of Arrow Street Arts Inc

EIN 84-2280321 · Burlington, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FRIENDS OF ARROW STREET ARTS, INC. CURATES AND HOSTS A FULL CALENDAR OF MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ARTISTIC WORK TO ENGAGE, CHALLENGE, AND REIMAGINE PERFORMING ARTS AS A COMMUNITY ASSET AND OFFERS ACCESSIBLE, MULTI-ARTS SPACES AND PRODUCTION SERVICES TO ARTISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO WELCOME, ENGAGE, AND CONNECT THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWERS OF LIVE, IN-PERSON PERFORMANCES.

Income
$4.2 million
Spending
$4.7 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
92
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$15,000, treasurer

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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    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

    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. $4.5 million spent. FRIENDS OF ARROW STREET ARTS, INC. ("FRIENDS") HAS COMPLETED ITS START-UP PHASE AND IS NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL. FRIENDS CURATES AND HOSTS A FULL CALENDAR OF MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ARTISTIC WORK TO ENGAGE, CHALLENGE, AND REIMAGINE PERFORMING ARTS AS A COMMUNITY ASSET AND RENTS ITS SPACE TO ASPIRING AND ACCOMPLISHED PERFORMING ARTISTS AND ARTISTIC COMPANIES (OFTEN ON A DISCOUNTED BASIS) TO PRESENT THEIR WORKS TO THE COMMUNITY. THE VENUE ENCOMPASSES THE FIRST FLOOR OF AN EXISTING FOUR-STORY, 40,000 SF MIXED-USE BUILDING THAT OPENED IN 2005. WITH RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY AND PLANNED BY CHARLES ROSE ARCHITECTS, FRIENDS' 11,500 SF PERFORMANCE FACILITY WILL BE REVITALIZED WITH EXTENSIVE PRODUCTION INVESTMENTS IN TWO FLEXIBLE PERFORMANCE SPACES ALONG WITH OTHER UPGRADES TO ENHANCE THE AUDIENCE AND ARTIST EXPERIENCE ALIKE. A 4,500 SF BLACK BOX THEATER WILL OFFER VARIOUS SEATING CONFIGURATIONS FOR UP TO APPROXIMATELY 300 AUDIENCE MEMBERS; AND A NEW 1,100 SF STREET-FRONT STUDIO EXPANDS THE OVERALL ARTS FOOTPRINT BY ABOUT 10 PERCENT. THE STUDIO SPACE IS EXPECTED TO ACCOMMODATE UP TO 100 PEOPLE. BOTH SPACES WILL SUPPORT REHEARSALS, PERFORMANCES, AND SPECIAL EVENTS ACROSS A RANGE OF ARTISTIC GENRES, INCLUDING THEATER, SPOKEN WORD/ READINGS, DANCE, MUSIC, AND FILM. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RENOVATIONS INCLUDE:(I) PERFORMANCE/REHEARSAL SPACES: FLEXIBILITY TO ACCOMMODATE MULTIPLE STAGING CONFIGURATIONS FOR USE IN A VARIETY OF CAPACITIES FOR THEATER, DANCE, MUSIC AND MORE; SPRUNG FLOORS FOR DANCE; COMPREHENSIVE, UPDATED LIGHTING, SOUND, PROJECTION, AND VIDEO PRODUCTION CAPACITIES. (II) AUDIENCE EXPERIENCE ENHANCEMENTS: IMPROVED AUDIENCE SEATING WITH OPTIONS TO "RIGHT-SIZE" AUDIENCE SEATING SIZE; UPDATED RESTROOM DESIGNS WITH PRIVATE, ALL-GENDER WATER CLOSETS; CENTRALIZED TICKETING SERVICES; EXPANDED FOOD & BEVERAGE SERVICE. (III) BACKSTAGE/PRODUCTION SUPPORT: ENHANCED DRESSING ROOM CAPACITIES WITH ADDITIONAL OVERFLOW CAPACITIES WHEN NEEDED; ARTISTS' GREEN ROOMS; DEDICATED WARDROBE/COSTUME CENTER WITH LAUNDRY. SINCE THE PROJECT WAS ANNOUNCED PUBLICLY IN JANUARY 2023, FRIENDS HAS ENGAGED WITH OVER 100 ARTISTS AND PRODUCING ORGANIZATIONS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL USE OF THE VENUE.

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 September 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.