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Fresno Arts Council Inc

EIN 94-2902674 · Fresno, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceFair60 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported a significant diversion of its assets during the year.

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

What it says it does

The Fresno Arts Council (FAC) is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1979 under the name of the "Alliance for the Arts" by local artists, arts organizations and interested individuals who wished to create a voice for the arts in the Central San Joaquin Valley. Our mission is to "enrich peoples lives through the arts." Our purpose is to foster an arts community that recognizes and honors the contributions of its citizens to the arts; advocate city, county, state and national institutions on issues of concern to valley artists; collaborate with community leaders, businesses, corporations, foundations, and other arts organizations to bring artists and audiences together. The Fresno Arts Council sponsors, promotes and encourages the arts throughout the city and county of Fresno and acts as an umbrella for artists and art organizations from all cultures and disciplines through advocacy, education, programs and services.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
17.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 74%
Employees
6
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$98,527, executive dir.

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: 77 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 78% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. Arts in Correction Project - Fresno Arts Council, in partnership with fellow local council of Kern, provides multiple workshops in visual arts, music, creative writing and theater to inmate participants at five facilities in the Central Valley.Arthop - A semi-monthly celebration of the arts that happens every first and third Thursdays of each month from 6pm - 8pm. Museums, studios, galleries and other venues open their exhibitions to the public for free. It is one of the most active and successful programs organized by the Fresno Arts Council. Art lovers and enthusiasts from all walks of life flock downtown Fresno and the Tower District on the first Thursday of each month, and the Arthop venues in the Fresno metro ares on the third Thursdays, to meet and greet with the artists and enjoy the reception and music. Arthop has received a remarkable response from the Fresno community. Over 50 participating artist studios, galleries, museums, and other venues exhibit art and artists reception during arthop. It has become both a cultural and special event for the community with a great deal of media coverage.Arts in Education - The Fresno Arts Council offers a series of workshops designed to train and prepare and deliver common core state standards and visual and performing arts standards, arts-integrated lessons and units of study along side teachers in classrooms. The artists share their considerable art skills with teachers and students within their lessons. Arts Alive- Arts Alive in agriculture exhibition and competition is an event to pay respect to the admirable attributes of our community tradition and resources. The Central Valley is a large flat valley covering the innermost portion of the state of California. Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada, Cascade and Tehachapi mountain ranges, the Central Valley is one of the world's most fruitful regions where nearly all non-tropical crops are grown. The Fresno Arts Council seeks to highlight the agriculture industry by showing thoughtful and compelling works from credible artists from the Central Valley.Horizon Awards - The Fresno Arts Council honors the exceptional contributions of individuals, organizations and businesses with its yearly hosted event called Horizon Awards. This much awaited event started in 1984 to provide recognition to the Fresno community dedicated in the excellence in the arts. Poetry Out Loud - Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation contest created by the National Endowment for the Arts & Poetry Foundation. The California Arts Council supports this exciting program to encourage the California youth master their public speaking skills, develop self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage. The Fresno Arts Council hosts the regional poetry out load competition, with instructional support and creative direction by former Fresno poet laureates. Social Network for the Arts - the Organization maintains and updates a list of over 1,800 e-mail addresses and over 2,000 mailing addresses for community notification of current arts and cultural information on a regular basis. WWW.Fresnoarts.net was originally created to engage artists, arts organizations and arts enthusiasts to learn, discuss and connect with one another. Approximately 500,000 page views a year and over 5,000 unique visitors per month utilize this resource. Fresnoarts.info list serve has also been established for the arts community to post/receive a daily digest of e-mails related to the local arts. The organization also offers to arts community the use of its space for workshops and receptions.Expanded Access to Arts and Culture - grant award program generated by the Measure P sales tax to nonprofit community-based organizations for the purpose of increasing access to the Arts in the City of Fresno.

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 July 1983.

    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.