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California Academy of Studio Arts I Nc

EIN 93-2888199 · Palo Alto, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 16% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
16%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 97% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    16% of spending went to programs.

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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $330,083 spent. DURING THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF STUDIO ARTS, INC'S (FKA BM-A INSTITUTE) BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL OVERSEE THE FULL RESTORATION OF THE MURAL AND RENOVATION OF THE BUILDING, INCLUDING ALL MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING SYSTEMS, SEISMIC RETROFITTING, AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES, UPDATING TO CURRENT BUILDING CODES IN ALL RESPECTS, AND TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. APPROXIMATELY 75% OF THE INSTITUTE'S TIME AND RESOURCES DURING THIS TIME WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THESE ACTIVITIES. ONCE THESE PROJECTS ARE COMPLETE, THE INSTITUTE WILL CONTINUE TO ALLOCATE TIME AND RESOURCES AS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN AND OPERATE THE RESTORED BUILDING AND MURAL.
  2. DURING THE INSTITUTE'S FIRST TWO TO THREE YEARS, WHILE IT IS PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON RENOVATING AND RESTORING THE BUILDING, IT WILL ALSO HIRE STAFF, DEVELOP PROGRAMMING AND OTHERWISE PREPARE TO OPEN A VISUAL ARTS INSTITUTE THAT WILL BRING TOGETHER EMERGING ARTISTS TO LEARN AND BE IN COMMUNITY WITH ONE ANOTHER. THE INTENT OF THE INSTITUTE IS TO CREATE AN IMMERSIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS EMERGING ARTISTS TO RECEIVE INSTRUCTION FROM A ROTATING FACULTY OF WELL-KNOWN ARTISTS IN COMMUNITY WITH ONE ANOTHER IN ORDER TO STIMULATE INSPIRATION AND NURTURE CONNECTIONS AMONGST THE STUDENTS. THE CURRICULUM IS STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT BUT WILL CONSIST OF PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE INSTRUCTION IN VISUAL ARTS AS WELL AS A WRAP-AROUND CURRICULUM FOCUSED ON BUSINESS PRINCIPLES MOST RELEVANT TO WORKING ARTISTS. THE INSTITUTE INTENDS TO OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PACKAGES TO ALL EMERGING ARTIST STUDENTS IN ORDER TO ALLOW THEM TO ATTEND THE INSTITUTE. THE INSTITUTE WILL HAVE A REGULARLY ENROLLED STUDENT BODY AND FACILITIES WHERE THE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES WILL BE REGULARLY CARRIED ON. DURING THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS APPROXIMATELY 25% OF THE INSTITUTE'S TIME AND RESOURCES WILL BE ALLOCATED TO HIRING STAFF AND DEVELOPING SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND CURRICULUM. ONCE THE RESTORATION PROJECTS ARE COMPLETE AND STUDENTS ARE ADMITTED, APPROXIMATELY 90% OF THE INSITITUE'S TIME AND RESOURCES WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THIS ACTIVITY.

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 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 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 September 2024.

    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.