Westfield Arts Collective
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 601 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 Westfield Arts Collective (WAC) will provide an inclusive and collaborative community space to inspire and showcase the visual and performing arts, through creation, exhibition and education. (See Schedule O)
- Income
- $457,638
- Spending
- $499,883
- Spent on programs
- 54%
- Reserves
- 15.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 83%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 10
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.7 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 46% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 40% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1554% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 601 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 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 (2)
- $268,350 spent. Westfield Arts Collectives programming represents a diverse range of artistic and community based programs including ongoing collaborations with the Westfield High School and Westfield Art Society along with other community presentations. Each exhibit endeavors to represent the artistry of local professional and student artists. As the organization evolves, we will maintain extremely diverse programming so that all residents in the community and region feel represented and welcome at the events, classes, and facilities. The organization will be working closely with members of the community, local officials, community and business leaders, students, families and other constituents to ensure that it operates with the broadest level of engagement, inclusion, and transparency.
- In addition to artistic programming, the organization completed architectural schematic design and renderings for the proposed renovation and transformation of the historic Rialto theater to become the Center for Creativity @ The Rialto. Architectural design work was conducted with Mills + Schnoering Architects. These designs were used as the basis for a fundraising feasibility study conducted with fundraising counsel, The Angeletti Group. The reports and studies formed the basis for subsequent grant proposals to select institutional funders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.