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Artsfund

EIN 91-0839644 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ARTSFUND STRENGTHENS THE COMMUNITY BY SUPPORTING THE ARTS THROUGH LEADERSHIP, ADVOCACY, AND GRANT MAKING.

Income
$16.1 million
Spending
$15.3 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
5.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
20
Volunteers
43
Highest pay
$372,700, president/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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    30 of 30 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (2)
  1. $12.3 million spent. ARTSFUND PROVIDES GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO NONPROFIT IRC 501(C)(3) ARTS ORGANIZATIONS. AWARDS ARE MADE THROUGH AN "ALLOCATION PROCESS AND TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION EACH ORGANIZATION'S MISSION AND ART, MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL CONDITION, AND COMMITMENT TO AND IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY. FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, 999 ORGANIZATIONS WERE GRANTED OPERATING SUPPORT.
  2. $884,858 spent. ARTSFUND CONDUCTS A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS TO BENEFIT THE CULTURAL SECTOR: AN ASSOCIATES PROGRAM TO EQUIP VOLUNTEERS WITH LEADERSHIP AND FUNDRAISING SKILLS; BOARD LEADERSHIP TRAINING CLASSES ON LEGAL AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES, STRATEGIC PLANNING, FUNDRAISING AND BEST GOVERNANCE PRACTICES; CONVENINGS TO SHARE RESOURCES, PRACTICES AND PERSPECTIVES TO EXPAND THE CAPACITY OF THE CULTURAL SECTOR; STUDY OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE ARTS; AND FISCAL SPONSOR FOR BUILDING FOR THE ARTS.

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

  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 November 6, 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 September 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 May 1969.

    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 November 4, 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.