Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The Drawing Studio Inc

EIN 86-0992193 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE DRAWING STUDIO, INC. IS A VISUAL ARTS CENTER IN TUCSON, AZ. THE DRAWING STUDIO INSPIRES PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS TO EMBRACE ART PRACTICE AS A PATHWAY TO PERSONAL GROWTH AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY.

Income
$584,850
Spending
$740,280
Spent on programs
54%
Reserves
-5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
15
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$93,510, executive director

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

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    54% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 46 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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $238,647 spent. ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM: OUR ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM HAS A YEARLY ENROLLMENT OF 1500 IN 200+ COURSES AND WORKSHOPS OFFERED IN OUR MAIN STUDIO IN TUCSON ARIZONA. HIGHLY SKILLED TEACHING ARTISTS OFFER FUNDAMENTAL COURSE SEQUENCES IN DRAWING AND DESIGN AS WELL AS CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS IN A WIDE VARIETY OF MEDIA AND GENRES INCLUDING PAINTING (OIL, ACRYLIC, WATERCOLOR, MIXED-MEDIA, ABSTRACT, PLEIN AIR, FIGURE/PORTRAIT), DRAWING (PASTEL, CHARCOAL, INK, MIXED MEDIA, PLEIN AIR, FIGURE/PORTRAIT), PRINTMAKING (INTAGLIO, MONO TYPE, RELIEF), AND BOOK ARTS. WE OFFER ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR OUR TEACHING ARTISTS, ALL OF WHOM ENGAGE IN THEIR OWN PROFESSIONAL ART PRACTICE.
  2. $99,436 spent. YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM: SINCE 2002, WE HAVE CONDUCTED AN INTENSIVE SUMMER STUDIO ARTS IMMERSION PROGRAM AND TODAY SERVE AGES 6-17. WE ALSO CONDUCT WEEKEND CLASSES THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR. THESE PROGRAMS SERVE 200+ YOUTH ANNUALLY. THROUGH GENEROUS PRIVATE SUPPORT, WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE REDUCED OR WAIVED TUITION FOR 35 TO 40% OF OUR STUDENTS IN THE YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM.
  3. $59,662 spent. PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM: THE DRAWING STUDIOS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM REACHES 400 PLUS INDIVIDUALS PER YEAR WITH FREE ART EXPERIENCES AND ART INSTRUCTION. WE WORK WITH SENIORS, VETERANS, REFUGEES, PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS, AND OTHERS WHO CANNOT ACCESS OUR MAIN STUDIO LOCATION AT LIBRARIES, SENIOR AND NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS. 100% OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE FREE AND SUPPORTED BY PHILANTHROPY. THE ARTMOVES PROGRAM UTILIZES VISUAL INSTRUCTION AS A MEANS OF REACHING AND ENGAGING THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA. THE STUDENT OPPORTUNITY ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE (SOAR) PROGRAM PLACES PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS DIRECTLY INTO TUCSON SCHOOLS THAT NO LONGER HAVE A FORMAL ARTS PROGRAM OR HAVE SEEN IT DIMINISHED. THE DRAWING STUDIOS BE READI PROGRAM (RACE, EQUITY, ACCESS, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION) IS A FREE SERIES TAUGHT BY BLACK, INDIGENOUS, PEOPLE OF COLOR (BIPOC) AND QUEER FOLX, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND OTHERS UNDERREPRESENTED IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR AIM IS TO LISTEN, LEARN, AND GROW ALONGSIDE THOSE OF US WITH DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND PERSPECTIVES. BE READI CREATES THAT SPACE FOR ARTMAKING TOGETHER.

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 October 2000.

    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.