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Arizona Humanities Council

EIN 86-0287464 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO BUILD A JUST AND CIVIL SOCIETY BY CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO EXPLORE OUR SHARED HUMAN EXPERIENCES THROUGH DISCUSSION, LEARNING AND REFLECTION. PEOPLE CAN ATTEND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS TO LEARN ABOUT CULTURE, HISTORY, CURRENT EVENTS, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TO DEMOCRACY. WE PROVIDE GRANTS TO LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS, MUSEUMS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO FOSTER LITERACY, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND APPRECIATION FOR OUR NATION'S RICH HISTORY AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY. THESE PROGRAMS ARE FREE AND ACCESSIBLE AND EXPLORE THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE THROUGH HISTORY, LITERATURE, ETHICS, PHILOSOPHY, LANGUAGES, ARCHAEOLOGY AND MORE.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
8.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 92%
Employees
9
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$132,261, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, 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 14 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 October 31, 2024, 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. $954,896 spent. IN 2023 ARIZONA HUMANITIES CONTINUED TO FOCUS ON UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES INCLUDING K-12 TITLE 1 SCHOOLS AND INDIGENOUS YOUTH SUFFERING DISPROPORTIONATELY FROM ECONOMIC HARDSHIP CAUSED BY NATURAL DISASTERS, ECONOMIC DISPARITY, AND GENERAL LACK OF RESOURCES. THESE "GAP" CHILDREN FELL FURTHER BEHIND IN LITERACY AND MATH DURING THE PANDEMIC AND MODEST GAINS IN LITERACY WERE LOST. THE AZ READS PROGRAM DISTRIBUTED BOOKS TO TEACHERS AND FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS TO FOSTER LITERACY STATEWIDE. IN ADDITION TO THE AZ SPEAKS PROGRAMS AND ANNUAL FESTIVALS, WE IDENITIFED HOST SITES FOR THE SMITHSONIAN TRAVELING EXHIBITION SPARK PLACES OF INNOVATION TO LAUNCH IN SIX RURAL ARIZONA COMMUNITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, 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 October 2024.

    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 July 1975.

    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.

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