Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Gage Academy of Art

EIN 91-1992593 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GAGE EDUCATES, ENRICHES, & TRANSFORMS OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH THE VISUAL ARTS.

Income
$6.0 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
49
Volunteers
84
Highest pay
$166,768, 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

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 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. $1.6 million spent. ADULT PROGRAMS: GAGE PROGRAMS OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE INTERESTED IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF THEIR PERSONAL, TECHNICAL, AND ARTISTIC GOALS. PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS FOCUS ON THE PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF PAINTING, DRAWING, AND SCULPTURE, EXPLORING BOTH TECHNIQUES AND THE AESTHETIC ISSUES OF ART-MAKING WITH A PROVEN FRAMEWORK TO ACCELERATE GROWTH. THIS INCLUDES THE DISTINGUISHED ATELIER PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES 7 PROGRAMS BOTH FULL AND PART-TIME, IN WHICH STUDENTS WORK THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR UNDER THE TUTELAGE OF A MASTER ARTIST. THIS PREPARES ARTISTS TO LAUNCH A PROFESSIONAL CAREER OR PURSUE A HIGHER EDUCATION ARTS DEGREE. GAGE ALSO OFFERS 5 AND 10-WEEK CLASSES AS WELL AS WEEKEND AND WEEKLONG ARTS WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE CALENDAR YEAR FOR STUDENTS WANTING TO PURSUE ART AS AVOCATION OR A SUPPLEMENT TO THEIR WORK IN OTHER CREATIVE INDUSTRIES.
  2. $430,431 spent. YOUTH PROGRAMS: GAGE OFFERS YOUNG ARTISTS VARIOUS AVENUES TO ENGAGE YOUNG ARTISTS AT VARIOUS AND PIVOTAL PHASES IN THEIR ART-MAKING PURSUITS. PROGRAMS INCLUDED CLASSES OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE CALENDAR YEAR IN A RANGE OF VISUAL ARTS MEDIA AND STYLES INCLUDING DRAWING, DIGITAL ANIMATION, PRINTMAKING, SCULPTURE, SILKSCREEN, COLLAGE, AND PAINTING. IN THE SUMMER, MULTIPLE CAMPS FOR YOUTH (AGES 7-12) AND TEENS (AGES 13-18) PROVIDE FUN AND INTENSIVE ALL DAY ART-MAKING EXPERIENCES OFTEN PAIRED WITH MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PARKOUR, CAPOEIRA, YOGA, AND DANCE. GAGE'S SIGNATURE PROGRAM FOR TEENS, THE TEEN ART STUDIO, IS A FREE DROP-IN PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES A SAFE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGE 13-19 EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT IN THREE LOCATIONS: GAGE CAMPUS IN CAPITOL HILL, AT BELLEVUE ART MUSEUM, AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SEAMAR MUSEUM OF CHICANO/ALATINO/A CULTURE IN SOUTH PARK CATERING TO SPANISH SPEAKING YOUTH.
  3. $142,534 spent. FEE-FOR-SERVICE PROGRAMS: GAGE PARTNERS WITH CORPORATIONS, SCHOOLS, AND HIGHER EDUCATION TO PROVIDE HIGHLY TRAINED ART INSTRUCTORS TO TEACH AT THESE INSITUTIONS ART EDUCATION PROGRAMS. CURRENTLY GAGE OFFERS INSTRUCTORS TO AMAZON'S EXPRESSIONS PROGRAM, SUMMIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND TO ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY'S UNDERGRADUATE ART PROGRAM. THE INSTITUTIONS PAY A FEE THAT COVERS THE COST OF THE INSTRUCTORS, ANY SUPPLIES, AND ADMINISTRATIVE OVERHEAD.

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 February 2000.

    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.