Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FREE ARTS FOR ABUSED CHILDREN OF ARIZONA (FREE ARTS) IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT TRANSFORMS CHILDREN'S TRAUMA TO RESILIENCE THROUGH THE ARTS SINCE 1993, FREE ARTS HAS SERVED MORE THAN 172,000 CHILDREN IN ARIZONA. FREE ARTS HAS 19 STAFF ROLES BL1.1AND OVER 500 VOLUNTEER SERVING APPROXIMATELY 6,000 CHILDREN EACH YEAR. FREE ARTS PARTNERS WITH 40+ SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AT MORE THAN 120 LOCATIONS AND 30 ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN ARIZONA TO PROVIDE A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF ARTS, TRAUMA-INFORMED CURRICULUM AND MENTORING TO CHILDREN WHO ARE IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE.
- Income
- $2.2 million
- Spending
- $2.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 69%
- Reserves
- 9.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 97%
- Employees
- 34
- Volunteers
- 538
- Highest pay
- $114,468, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1569% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (5)
- $54,025 spent. IN THE PROFESSIONAL ARTIST SERIES PROGRAM (PAS), PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS LEAD THE CHILDREN THROUGH FOCUSED ART-MAKING SESSIONS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP SKILLS AND SELF-EFFICACY. ART FORMS INCLUDE PAINTING, DRAWING, COOKING, DANCING, DRUMMING, AND BEAT MAKING. AT THE END OF EACH SERIES, CHILDREN CELEBRATE THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SHARE THEIR SKILLS AND TALENTS WITH THEIR PEERS AT A CULMINATING EVENT.
- $45,854 spent. DURING FREE ARTS DAYS (FAD), CHILDREN IN PARTNER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES PRACTICE SELF-EXPRESSION WITH THE SUPPORT OF VOLUNTEER MENTORS DURING THESE ONE-DAY PROGRAMS HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS.
- $33,680 spent. THE WEEKLY MENTOR PROGRAM (WMP) MATCHES ADULT VOLUNTEER MENTORS WITH GROUPS OF CHILDREN LIVING IN SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND PROVIDES WEEKLY ART SESSIONS FOR UP TO 16 WEEKS. MENTORS USE TRAUMA-INFORMED TECHNIQUES TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR GROUP, HELPING CHILDREN TO BUILD TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS AND EXPRESS THEMSELVES CREATIVELY.
- $1.5 million spent. THE FREE ARTS FAMILY POPULATION (FORMERLY REFERRED TO AS A PROGRAM) FOCUSES ON FAMILIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA THROUGH SITUATIONS SUCH AS FAMILY VIOLENCE, SEPARATION, OR HOMELESSNESS. FREE ARTS AIMS TO ENCOURAGE HARMONY AND RESILIENCE WITHIN THE FAMILY UNIT BY EMPOWERING PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS THROUGH EDUCATION ON TRAUMA INFORMED CARE AND ENGAGING CHILDREN IN ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-DISCOVERY DURING THEIR FAMILY TRANSITIONS. PROGRAM EVENTS ARE DESIGNED FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY INCLUDING FOSTER, KINSHIP, AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES AND CATER TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. WITH THEIR PARTICIPATION, FREE ARTS HOPES TO FOSTER A SAFE AND STABLE ENVIRONMENT THAT ALLOWS FAMILY MEMBERS- BOTH PARENT/CAREGIVER AND CHILD- TO DISCOVER AND DEVELOP THEIR UNIQUE STRENGTHS AND USE THEM TO CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER TO CREATE A STRONG AND SECURE HOME ENVIRONMENT. (THE CHANGE OF REFERENCES FROM PROGRAM TO POPULATION REFLECTS THAT THIS GROUP ENGAGES IN THE SAME PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AS OUR OTHER POPULATIONS; NAMELY, FREE ARTS DAYS, PROFESSIONAL ARTIST SERIES, ETC.) THE RESILIENT ROOTS POPULATION (FORMERLY REFERRED TO AS A PROGRAM) IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO SERVE UNACCOMPANIED REFUGEE MINORS IN COMMUNITIES IN ARIZONA. PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO INCORPORATE ASPECTS OF THEIR CULTURE OF ORIGIN SUCH AS LANGUAGE, VALUES, AND CUSTOMS INTO THE INTENTIONAL ART ACTIVITIES TO HELP THEM BUILD RESILIENCY FROM BOTH PAST TRAUMAS AND NEW CHALLENGES THAT COME FROM BEING IN AN UNFAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT. BY HONORING THEIR STORIES WITH CULTURALLY FOCUSED ART ACTIVITIES, THEY WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO DEVELOP INDIVIDUALISTIC COPING STRATEGIES THAT WILL ENCOURAGE STRENGTH, PROMOTE FEELINGS OF HOPE, AND HELP THEM MAINTAIN THEIR UNIQUE IDENTITIES. (THE CHANGE OF REFERENCES FROM PROGRAM TO POPULATION REFLECTS THAT THIS GROUP ENGAGES IN THE SAME PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AS OUR OTHER POPULATIONS; NAMELY, FREE ARTS DAYS, PROFESSIONAL ARTIST SERIES, ETC.) CAMP BRINGS TOGETHER CHILDREN FROM MULTIPLE PARTNER AGENCIES TO ENGAGE IN ART ACTIVITIES WITHIN A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS AND VOLUNTEER MENTORS LEAD WORKSHOPS AND EMPOWER CHILDREN TO ARTISTICALLY EXPRESS THEIR PERSONAL STORIES. INTENTIONAL STRUCTURE AND A FOCUS ON COLLABORATION CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY FOR PARTICIPANTS. EACH CAMP SERIES CONCLUDES WITH A FINAL PERFORMANCE WHERE PARTICIPANTS SHARE THEIR ART AND STORIES WITH THE PUBLIC.
- THE FREE ARTS FAMILY POPULATION (FORMERLY REFERRED TO AS A PROGRAM) FOCUSES ON FAMILIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA THROUGH SITUATIONS SUCH AS FAMILY VIOLENCE, SEPARATION, OR HOMELESSNESS. FREE ARTS AIMS TO ENCOURAGE HARMONY AND RESILIENCE WITHIN THE FAMILY UNIT BY EMPOWERING PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS THROUGH EDUCATION ON TRAUMA INFORMED CARE AND ENGAGING CHILDREN IN ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-DISCOVERY DURING THEIR FAMILY TRANSITIONS. PROGRAM EVENTS ARE DESIGNED FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY INCLUDING FOSTER, KINSHIP, AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES AND CATER TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. WITH THEIR PARTICIPATION, FREE ARTS HOPES TO FOSTER A SAFE AND STABLE ENVIRONMENT THAT ALLOWS FAMILY MEMBERS- BOTH PARENT/CAREGIVER AND CHILD- TO DISCOVER AND DEVELOP THEIR UNIQUE STRENGTHS AND USE THEM TO CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER TO CREATE A STRONG AND SECURE HOME ENVIRONMENT. (THE CHANGE OF REFERENCES FROM PROGRAM TO POPULATION REFLECTS THAT THIS GROUP ENGAGES IN THE SAME PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AS OUR OTHER POPULATIONS; NAMELY, FREE ARTS DAYS, PROFESSIONAL ARTIST SERIES, ETC.) THE RESILIENT ROOTS POPULATION (FORMERLY REFERRED TO AS A PROGRAM) IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO SERVE UNACCOMPANIED REFUGEE MINORS IN COMMUNITIES IN ARIZONA. PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO INCORPORATE ASPECTS OF THEIR CULTURE OF ORIGIN SUCH AS LANGUAGE, VALUES, AND CUSTOMS INTO THE INTENTIONAL ART ACTIVITIES TO HELP THEM BUILD RESILIENCY FROM BOTH PAST TRAUMAS AND NEW CHALLENGES THAT COME FROM BEING IN AN UNFAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT. BY HONORING THEIR STORIES WITH CULTURALLY FOCUSED ART ACTIVITIES, THEY WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO DEVELOP INDIVIDUALISTIC COPING STRATEGIES THAT WILL ENCOURAGE STRENGTH, PROMOTE FEELINGS OF HOPE, AND HELP THEM MAINTAIN THEIR UNIQUE IDENTITIES. (THE CHANGE OF REFERENCES FROM PROGRAM TO POPULATION REFLECTS THAT THIS GROUP ENGAGES IN THE SAME PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AS OUR OTHER POPULATIONS; NAMELY, FREE ARTS DAYS, PROFESSIONAL ARTIST SERIES, ETC.) CAMP BRINGS TOGETHER CHILDREN FROM MULTIPLE PARTNER AGENCIES TO ENGAGE IN ART ACTIVITIES WITHIN A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS AND VOLUNTEER MENTORS LEAD WORKSHOPS AND EMPOWER CHILDREN TO ARTISTICALLY EXPRESS THEIR PERSONAL STORIES. INTENTIONAL STRUCTURE AND A FOCUS ON COLLABORATION CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY FOR PARTICIPANTS. EACH CAMP SERIES CONCLUDES WITH A FINAL PERFORMANCE WHERE PARTICIPANTS SHARE THEIR ART AND STORIES WITH THE PUBLIC.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1994.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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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