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Fine Arts Museums Foundation

EIN 94-6096509 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SPECIFIC AND PRIMARY PURPOSES FOR WHICH THIS FOUNDATION IS FORMED ARE THE CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES OF SOLICITING, RECEIVING, DISBURSING AND MANAGING FUNDS AND PROPERTY FOR THE EMBELLISHMENT, ADVANCEMENT, ADMINISTRATION AND ENLARGEMENT OF THE FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO (FAMSF). THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PURCHASING WORKS OF ART, HOLDING THOSE WORKS OF ART, AND LENDING OR DONATING THEM TO THE FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO.

Income
$26.9 million
Spending
$21.2 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
82.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
0
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$1.2 million, director of museums

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 82.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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. $5.6 million spent. ART ACQUISITIONS FOR THE FINE ARTS MUSEUMS.
  2. $5.9 million spent. THE FINE ARTS MUSEUMS FOUNDATION (FAMF) AND COFAM PRIVATELY RAISED FUNDS AND REBUILT THE DEYOUNG MUSEUM, WHICH WAS GIFTED TO THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO UPON ITS COMPLETION IN 2005. THESE EXPENSES INCLUDE THE AMORTIZATION OF THE BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE DEYOUNG AS WELL AS THE COST OF SERVICING RELATED BONDS. THE NEW DEYOUNG HAS PERMITTED EXPANDED AND IMPROVED SERVICE TO THE MUSEUM'S PUBLIC BY INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF ART ON VIEW, THE EXPANSION OF THE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT AND THE INCREASED EXHIBITION SPACE.
  3. $7.8 million spent. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS FOR THE EMBELLISHMENT, ADVANCEMENT, AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE CORPORATION FOR THE FINE ARTS MUSEUMS(COFAM).

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 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 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 1965.

    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.