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Creativity Explored

EIN 94-2801050 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PARTNERS WITH PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO CREATE AN ARTISTIC, STUDIO-BASED COLLECTIVE WHERE THE CREATIVE CAPACITY OF ANY PERSON CAN FLOURISH. WE DO THIS BY PLACING THE WORK, NEEDS, CULTURE, AND EXPERIENCE OF ARTISTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT THE CENTER OF THE COMMUNITY IN A WAY THAT HONORS HUMANITY, RESPECTS SELF-AGENCY, AND NURTURES CREATIVE POTENTIAL.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 63%
Employees
51
Volunteers
36
Highest pay
$194,953, 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $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. $1.8 million spent. STUDIO PROGRAM: CE'S CORE STUDIO DAY PROGRAM OFFERS SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE STUDIO SPACE AND RESOURCES TO ADULT ARTISTS WITH COGNITIVE DISABILITIES. ARTISTS RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS TO WORK IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT MEDIA, INCLUDING PAINTING, CERAMICS, PRINTMAKING, TEXTILE ARTS, AND DIGITAL MEDIA. ARTISTS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO INTEGRATE INTO COMMUNITY SETTINGS, VISITING LOCAL MUSEUMS, GALLERIES, AND PARKS DURING WEEKLY FIELD TRIPS. ARTISTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN WORK TOGETHER ON SATURDAYS DURING A FREE, WEEKLY PUBLIC ART MAKING PROGRAM, IMAGINATE SATURDAYS, HELD AT CE'S MAIN 16TH STREET STUDIO.
  2. $634,855 spent. ART PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM: CE'S ART PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM FACILITATES THE SALE AND LICENSING OF ARTWORKS MADE BY CREATIVITY EXPLORED ARTISTS. OUR GALLERY AND EXHIBITIONS TEAM PROFESSIONALLY CATALOG, EXHIBIT AND MARKET ARTISTS' WORK SO THAT DISABLED ARTISTS WORKING IN OUR STUDIOS ARE NOT ONLY GAINING NEW SKILLS AND BUILDING CONFIDENCE, BUT ALSO EARNING AN INCOME (50% OF THE SALE PRICE) FROM ART SALES. CE ARTISTS HAVE BEEN EXHIBITED IN 14 COUNTRIES AND DOZENS OF CALIFORNIA ART MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES. THEIR WORK HAS BEEN ACQUIRED INTO THE COLLECTIONS OF MAJOR MUSEUMS, INCLUDING THE SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART AND THE OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA.
  3. $335,384 spent. YOUTH AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: CE OFFERS TOURS AND WORKSHOPS FOR LOCAL YOUTH OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUTH EDUCATORS, AND PROGRAMS FOR TEENAGE (AGES 11 - 17) AND TRANSITION-AGED YOUTH (AGES 18 - 22) WITH DISABILITIES. PROGRAMS OCCUR AFTERSCHOOL (IMAGINATE TEEN), ON WEEKENDS (IMAGINATE YOUTH ADULT), AND DURING SCHOOL BREAKS (CAMP IMAGINATE). EACH PROGRAM PROVIDES WORKSPACE, MATERIALS, LESSON PLANS, AND SUPPORT FROM TEACHING ARTISTS AND ARTIST MENTORS FROM CE'S ADULT PROGRAM. YOUTH ARTISTS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO DISPLAY THEIR ARTWORK IN MINI EXHIBITIONS HELD IN CE'S STUDIOS.

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 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 June 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 May 1982.

    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.