Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Pearl Arts Inc

EIN 87-4101298 · Fort Wayne, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Pearl Arts, Inc. exists to serve Northeast Indiana as an interactive community arts, education, entrepreneurial, and engagement destination.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
10
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$115,849, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 81% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 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. $1.7 million spent. Academy: Pearl Arts is a community-centered creative hub in Fort Wayne that empowers learners of all ages through inclusive, high-quality music education, hands-on creative workforce and entrepreneurship training, and performances that strengthen the regions cultural ecosystem. The Pearl Arts Music Academy is a quality program providing high-quality, inclusive music education to more than 570 students each week. Please see Schedule O for further information.
  2. $295,331 spent. Innovation Institute: The Innovation Institute at Pearl Arts is a unique program where students learn how music, technology, and creative problem-solving connect. Launched as a pilot with Fort Wayne Community Schools and Amp Lab in spring 2025, the program quickly demonstrated strong demand and reached full capacity. In addition, students selected for the program may earn dual credit through two university partners: Indiana Institute of Technology (for entrepreneurship) and St. Francis University (for music technology). Employers across the region, including live event venues, production companies, worship centers, schools, and media organizations, consistently report shortages of trained technicians in areas such as live sound, recording, and digital production. These roles are essential to the regions expanding arts and entertainment economy and offer strong career pathways.
  3. Rooted in music and educational excellence, the Academy ensures that learners of all ages and backgrounds, regardless of obstacles, can access music and mentorship and be part of an organization that provides opportunities to grow and succeed. In addition, Pearl Arts houses a unique music entrepreneurial program for high school students with sound technology as the central scope of the educational experience. Within the Pearl Arts Music Academy, private lessons form the foundation, offering individualized instruction that builds technical skill, confidence, and long-term engagement. During our first 18 months, Pearl Arts focused on securing scholarship support for these lessons so that financially challenged students could access high-quality instruction regardless of family income. The growth Pearl Arts has experienced is phenomenal from 100 students in the first 4 months to now 570 students per week and growing. This commitment to equitable access remains central to our mission.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 December 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 August 2022.

    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.