Friends of Western Art Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FWA promotes awareness of the art of the American West by providing sponsorship and support to Western artists, artisans, educational programs, and art-related organizations in Tucson and Southern Arizona. Over the past 21 years, FWA has raised and donated over $721,000 to support this mission. Major categories of funding include: $333,000 for Teacher and School Art Supply Grants and Scholarships; $161,000 Amerind Museum (a 501(c)(3) organization); $77,000 Tucson Museum of Art (a 501(c)(3) organization); $60,000 Patronato San Xavier (a 501(c)(3) organization); $49,000 for Art Conservation, Preservation and Restoration; and $23,000 Public Art Grants and Commissions.
- Income
- $139,050
- Spending
- $104,163
- Reserves
- 27.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 58%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 27.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $17,250 spent. Funds scholarships, educational grants, and school art supplies. During the 2024 year, FWA school art program funding reached over 6,700 students in Southern Arizona.
- $63,326 spent. Promotes awareness of Western Art through educational events. During 2024, FWA's educational programming included hosting lectures and the Aline Goodman Young Artist Contest as well as underwriting and participating in the FWA/Amerind joint exhibit at the Amerind Museum.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1982.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.