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Pacific Art League of Palo Alto

EIN 94-6096394 · Palo Alto, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 52 cents.

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

What it says it does

PACIFIC ART LEAGUE IS COMMITTED TO ADVANCING THE ENJOYMENT, EXPRESSION AND APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS. WE PROVIDE ACCESS TO ART-MAKING FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. OUR ROBUST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES ACCESSTO ART TO UNDERSERVED YOUTH AND ADULTS.

Income
$827,793
Spending
$758,356
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-35.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 54%
Employees
18
Volunteers
67
Highest pay
$124,448, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 35 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 63% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 106% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 52 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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

    6 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 July 31, 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. $673,765 spent. EDUCATION PROGRAMS: THE PACIFIC ART LEAGUE PLANS, SCHEDULES AND RUNS ART CLASSES ANDWORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE YEAR IS DIVIDED INTO 4 TERMS, AND EACH TERM TYPICALLY HAS 40-50 CLASS OFFERINGS. WE HAVE EXPANDED OUR OUTREACH EDUCATION PROGRAM TO INCLUDE AFTER SCHOOL ART AT TWO LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. OUR ART CLASSES COVER A BROAD RANGE OF INTERESTS INCLUDING ART TECHNIQUE, APPRECIATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RANGING FROM DRAWING,PAINTING, PRINTMAKING, SCULPTURE, DIGITAL, COLLAGE AND CRAFTS. STUDENTS ENROLLED IN CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS - 1,815 TOTAL NUMBER OF CLASS SESSIONS - 244 TOTAL HOURS CLASSES WERE HELD - 4,123
  2. ART EXHIBITION PROGRAM. THE PACIFIC ART LEAGUE HOLDS MONTHLY THEMED EXHIBITION IN THE TWO MAIN GALLERIES AS WELL AS IN THE MAIN ENTRANCE AREA. THE EXHIBITIONS ARE JURIED FOR ENTRANCE AS WELL AS FOR PRIZES. IN ADDITION THE LEAGUE OFFERS A FIRST FRIDAY RECEPTION TO INTRODUCE THE PUBLIC TO THE CURRENT EXHIBITION. OFF SITE VENUES ARE ALSO OFFERED DURING THE YEAR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 July 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 August 1943.

    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.