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Society for Calligraphy

EIN 95-3213360 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Society for Calligraphy, Southern California, is a non-profit educational organization which promotes the study, teaching and practice of calligraphy and related disciplines. It also encourages the exchange of ideas through speakers, program meetings, workshops, bulletins, an annual retreat and regional chapters.

Income
$194,161
Spending
$222,764
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
12.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 76%
Employees
0
Volunteers
27

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: 79 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 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: 62 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $114,904 spent. Letters California Style is an in-person gathering for our members and new members to study lettering arts and associated art forms such as bookbinding, book arts and different kinds of mixed media art with renowned teachers in their respected fields. It is a great opportunity to learn and study topics with 21 hours of class time and a perfect setting to renew friendships, build new ones, and spend time with all those fellow artists that share the love for the lettering arts. The conference is open to all our members and new members and to all levels of skill. The participants pay for the classes, room and board. Fees collected by the organization are used to pay for teacher fees, travel expenses, and room and board for the teachers, as well as facility expenses. The 2025 conference was held February 14-17, 2025 with 99 attendees.
  2. $53,215 spent. This organization promotes the study, teaching and practice of calligraphy and related artistic disciplines through its sponsored workshop programs. There were 52 paid or free workshops for the year with approximately 15 to 200 attendees per course. The vast majority of these workshops were via Zoom, which allows for broader participation not only across the US but from other countries.
  3. $5,002 spent. The Society for Calligraphy celebrated its 50th anniversary this year and held a number of special events, key of which was a special exhibit of 58 calligraphic works at the Maloof Gallery for 2 months. Some of the artwork will be going on a traveling exhibit, at the request of the Maloof.
  4. $2,500 spent. The organization promotes the exchange of ideas in the community of calligraphers by sponsoring an annual retreat. The attendees pay for room and board and the cost of the meeting rooms. The meeting rooms are selected to help promote free expression and learning from one another. The retreat was held May 23-26, 2025 and had 22 participants.
  5. The Organization participates in a number of events held throughout Southern California as public outreach activities. In 2024-2025, fifteen SfC volunteers created gift tags, bookmarks and/or personalized certificates at 5 such events. There is no cost for participants and all SfC labor and materials are donated.

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 September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2011 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2011.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2015.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.