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Grabhorn Institute

EIN 94-3363125 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A LIVING MUSEUM DEDICATED TO PRESERVING AND CONSERVING THE ART FORM OF FINE PRINTING AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THAT FORM OF ART.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$181,254, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 29, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 29, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 February 29, 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 (4)
  1. $110,231 spent. CONDUCTED REGULAR PLUS SPECIALLY SCHEDULED PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS/TOURS AND TOURS FOR SCHOOL AND COLLEGE GROUPS OF THE HISTORIC FACILITIES AND OFFERED REGULAR PUBLIC LECTURES AND EXHIBITS. CONTINUE TO PLAN FOR EXPANDED FUTURE PUBLIC PROGRAMS.
  2. $14,448 spent. CONTINUE EXPANDED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS IN TYPECASTING, LETTERPRESS PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING, AND CONDUCTED RESEARCH INTO CALIFORNIA AND UNITED STATES PRINTING AND TYPOGRAPHIC HISTORY.
  3. $15,900 spent. ADVANCED THE PROGRAM FOR ACQUISITION OF MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE OPERATION OF HISTORIC LETTERPRESS PRINTING AND TYPEFOUNDING FACILITIES.
  4. $1.0 million spent. GRANT MADE TO LYRA CORPORATION, KNOWN AS ARION PRESS, IN ITS MISSION TO PRESERVE THE ACCLAIMED LETTERPRESS PRINTER STARTED IN 1976.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 29, 2024, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on February 15, 2016 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on February 15, 2016.

    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 February 2024.

    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 January 2017.

    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.