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Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

EIN 86-0197576 · Scottsdale, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 110 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT FOUNDATION INSPIRES PEOPLE TO DISCOVER AND EMBRACE AN ARCHITECTURE FOR BETTER LIVING THROUGH MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS TO NATURE, THE ARTS, AND EACH OTHER.

Income
$9.6 million
Spending
$9.7 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 67%
Employees
112
Volunteers
81
Highest pay
$339,269, ceo & president (through 08/31/24)

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

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 110 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 July 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 (3)
  1. $2.4 million spent. BUILDING PRESERVATION - THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT FOUNDATION INVESTS CAPITAL AND CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS IN ORDER TO PROTECT, MAINTAIN, AND RESTORE THE ARCHITECTURALLY HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND SPACES THAT COMPRISE ITS CAMPUSES IN BOTH SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, AND SPRING GREEN, WISCONSIN.
  2. $1.5 million spent. PUBLIC TOURS AND ACCESS PROGRAM - THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT FOUNDATION OFFERS TOURS AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE WORK OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT AND THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 2025, 108,725 INDIVIDUALS VISITED THE HISTORIC SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, LANDMARK
  3. $2.5 million spent. THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT FOUNDATION SELLS PRODUCTS THROUGH ITS PHYSICAL RETAIL STORE AND ONLINE STORE; LICENSES ITS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TO OTHERS AND EARNS ROYALTIES FROM THE SALE OF LICENSED PRODUCTS OR THE USE OF THE RIGHTS; AND PRODUCES IN-PERSON AND ONLINE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND ADULT PARTICIPANTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 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 July 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 November 1983.

    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.