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Western Alliance of Arts Adminstrators Foundations

EIN 95-3497056 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak29 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

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

What it says it does

TO SERVE A THRIVING PERFORMING ARTS COMMUNITY IN THE WEST.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 64%
Employees
7
Volunteers
52
Highest pay
$186,672, 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

Weak: 29 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 110% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    9 of 15

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

  • 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 (4)
  1. $492,344 spent. PERFORMING ARTS DISCOVERY: THE PAD PROGRAM IS AN INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE OPPORTUNITY FOR PERFORMING ARTISTS BASED IN THE UNITED STATES WHO ARE READY TO TOUR INTERNATIONALLY. THIS YEAR, AN ADDITIONAL 10 ARTISTS WERE ADDED TO THE EXISTING 55 ARTISTS TO RECIEVE SUPPORT FROM OUR EXPERT VIDEO PRODUCTION TEAM TO CREATE A PROFESSIONALLY PRODUCED LIVE PERFORMANCE VIDEO TO BE FEATURED ON A NEW ONLINE PLATFORM FOR INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. THE PAD PROGRAM IS OPEN TO ALL U.S.-BASED PERFORMING ARITSTS WITH READINESS TO TOUR INTERNATIONALLY, AND ENCOURAGES THOSE WHO IDENTIFY AS BLACK, INDIGENOUS, PEOPLE OF COLOR (BIPOC) AND/OR LGBTQ+ TO APPLY.
  2. $473,461 spent. CONFERENCE: THE WAA CONFERENCE CONVENES PRESENTERS, ARTISTS, AND AGENTS AROUND THE SHARED GOAL OF PROGRAMMING LIVE PERFORMANCES. THE FOUR-DAY SCHEDULE INCLUDES EXHIBITS, PERFORMANCES, NETWORKING, SPEAKERS, CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS. THE 2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE HOSTED 623 ATTENDEES, IN SAN DIEGO, CA. THE OFFICIAL SHOWCASE PRESENTED 10 ARTISTS, AND 89 INDEPENDENT SHOWCASES.
  3. $87,428 spent. INFORMATION/MEMBERSHIP SERVICES: THE ORGANIZATION IS A MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION OF TOURING AND PERFORMING ARTS PROFESSIONALS ENGAGED IN PROMOTING AND PRESENTING PERFORMING ARTS. MEMBERS OF WAA GET DISCOUNT RESGISTRATIONS FOR THE LARGEST ANNUAL BOOKING CONFERENCE IN THE WEST, LEARN NEW TECHNIQUES AND BEST PRACTICES IN INFORMATIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITES, RECEIVE MEMBER-ONLY NEWS AND INFORMATION (PRINT AND ONLINE), ARE PUBLISHED IN AND RECEIVE THE ANNUAL DIRECTORY, AND HAVE ACCESS TO OVER 2,500 ARTISTS AND OVER 220 PRESENTING ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH WAA'S DATABASE. AS OF JUNE 30, 2024, WAA HAD 399 TOTAL MEMBERS AND 354 PAID MEMBERS.
  4. $69,476 spent. ADVANCING INDIGENOUS PERFORMANCE: THE ADVANCING INDIGENOUS PERFORMANCE PROGRAM (AIP) DEEPENS SUPPORT FOR INDIGENOUS PERFORMING ARTISTS AND PERFORMING ART PROFESSIONALS INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH INDIGENOUS ARTISTS AND COMMUNITIES. THE INITIATIVE PROVIDES GRANTS, TRAVEL SUPPORT, MENTORING, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES FOR U.S. BASED INDIGENOUS ARTISTS. THIS YEAR WE CLOSED OUT THE PROGRAM DUE TO A LACK OF SUPPORT ONGOING SUPPORT.

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 April 1990.

    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.