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Clifton House Inc

EIN 84-2681779 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceWeak33 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Clifton House's mission is to continue the legacy of acclaimed poet Lucille Clifton and community activist Fred Clifton by providing mentorship, local and global resource access, training, and development in the creative arts to underrepresented and underserved people of all ages in the Baltimore and surrounding communities, with particular focus on Afrodiasporic, female, and gender non-conforming LGBTQA+ poets, writers, artists, and creative activists.

Income
$305,924
Spending
$322,531
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 53% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 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. $282,288 spent. In 2025, The Clifton House continued to expand its impact as one of Baltimore's premier literary and interdisciplinary arts organizations, welcoming hundreds of visitors through a robust calendar of public programs, workshops, screenings, lectures, performances, and community gatherings. Throughout the year, the organization presented dozens of events that celebrated the enduring legacy of Lucille and Fred Clifton while creating meaningful opportunities for artists, writers, scholars, filmmakers, and audiences to engage in dialogue, creative practice, and cultural exchange. Signature initiativesincluding the First Films screening series, poetry workshops, artist conversations, BEAMS youth programming, literary readings, and multidisciplinary performancesregularly attracted audiences from across Baltimore and beyond, fostering intergenerational participation and expanding access to high-quality arts experiences.
  2. A defining accomplishment of the year was All of My Bones Remember, a multi-day celebration in partnership with The LIbrary and Jupiter Magazine; honoring the life and work of Lucille Clifton that brought together nearly two hundred attendees for lectures, panel discussions, poetry readings, community conversations, and public gatherings. Through strategic partnerships with literary, educational, and cultural organizations, The Clifton House broadened its reach while strengthening its role as a vibrant center for artistic excellence, creative learning, and civic engagement. Collectively, the organization's 2025 programming served a broad and diverse community of participants, deepened connections among artists and audiences, elevated emerging and established voices, and further advanced The Clifton House's mission to preserve literary heritage while nurturing the next generation of creative practitioners.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2022 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2022.

    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 December 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 January 2023.

    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.