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Sierra Arts Foundation

EIN 88-0113398 · Reno, NV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SIERRA ARTS IS DEDICATED TO AIDING, ENCOURAGING, ADVISING, ASSISTING & CORRELATING ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE ART & CULTURE IN WASHOE COUNTY, NV AND NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
6
Volunteers
114

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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    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.

  • 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 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. $914,777 spent. SIERRA ARTS FOUNDATION IS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO FOSTERING COMMUNITY DRIVEN ARTS ENGAGEMENTS THAT ENRICH THE LIVES OF ALL WHO RESIDE AND WORK WITHIN THE NORTHERN NEVADA REGION. OUR DEDICATION TO ENHANCING THE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY IS EXEMPLIFIED THROUGH VARIOUS INITIATIVES SUCH AS THE ELDER CARE CONCERT SERIES AND HEALING ARTS PROGRAMS, WHICH BRING THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE ARTS TO LOCAL MEDICAL FACILITIES AND BEYOND. THROUGH SIERRA ARTS GALLERIES AND ACADEMY, OUR BOOKSTORE FEATURING NORTHERN NEVADA PUBLISHED AUTHORS, POETS, AND ILLUSTRATORS, AND THE GALLERIES AT WORK PROGRAM FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES, WE CREATE DYNAMIC SPACES FOR ARTISTIC EXPRESSION AND COLLABORATION, FOSTERING A VIBRANT CULTURAL ECOSYSTEM. OUR STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE CITY OF RENO, CITY OF SPARKS, CARSON CITY, AND WASHOE COUNTY ENABLE US TO AMPLIFY OUR IMPACT AND REACH DIVERSE AUDIENCES.
  2. $49,003 spent. OUR FOUNDATION STANDS AS A STEADFAST PILLAR OF SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS, OFFERING A MULTIFACETED ARRAY OF RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES AIMED AT NURTURING THEIR CAREERS AND FACILITATING THEIR GROWTH. THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, WE EQUIP ARTISTS WITH THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE NECESSARY TO THRIVE IN THE EVER-EVOLVING ART LANDSCAPE. SIERRA ARTS FOUNDATION GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND IN ITS SUPPORT OF ARTISTS BY OFFERING COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE, RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFEGUARDING THEIR WELL-BEING. THIS ADDITIONAL BENEFIT ENSURES THAT ARTISTS HAVE ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES, PROVIDING PEACE OF MIND AND STABILITY AS THEY PURSUE THEIR CREATIVE ENDEAVORS. BY PRIORITIZING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF ARTISTS, WE DEMONSTRATE OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO THEIR HOLISTIC SUCCESS AND FLOURISHING WITHIN THE ARTISTIC COMMUNITY.
  3. $25,332 spent. THE SIERRA ARTS FOUNDATION IS A LEADER IN ARTS EDUCATION AND INTEGRATION PROGRAMMING WITHIN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. BY RECRUITING LOCAL ARTISTS OF VARIOUS ART DISCIPLINES, WE ARE ABLE TO TRAIN THEM TO TEACH IN TANDEM WITH CLASSROOM EDUCATORS. RESIDENT TEACHING ARTISTS USE THEIR ART FORM TO ENHANCE AND ENGAGE THE STUDENTS CREATIVE PROCESS WHILE CONNECTING THOSE PRINCIPALS TO CORE CURRICULUM LEARNING. THE SCHOOLS SIERRA ARTS FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH HAVE PRIMARILY TITLE 1, UNDERSERVED AND AT RISK ADOLESCENTS AND INCARCERATED YOUTH POPULATIONS. THE SIERRA ARTS FOUNDATIONS PROGRAMMING PROVIDES QUALITY STANDARD BASED INSTRUCTION IN AREAS WHERE THERE IS NO ACCESS TO ARTS EDUCATION.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1972.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.