How Arts & Culture Nonprofits Spend Money

Spending analysis for arts & culture nonprofits: 90% programs, 7% admin, 3% fundraising. Based on 5 organizations.

112Total Orgs
5Report Spending
90%Avg Programs
7%Avg Admin
3%Avg Fundraising
90% Programs
7% Admin
3% Fund

Spending Patterns in Arts & Culture

Among 112 arts & culture nonprofits, 5 report detailed spending data. The sector averages 90% on programs, 7% on administration, and 3% on fundraising.

With $121.8M in combined revenue and $273.7M in assets, the arts & culture sector represents a significant portion of the charitable landscape. The strong program ratio indicates that organizations in this sector generally prioritize direct service delivery.

Most Efficient Arts & Culture Nonprofits

#OrganizationProgram %RevenueState
1Marlborough Historical Society Incorporated100%$0NH
2Cherokee Adult Choir100%$0OK
3Grantham Historical Society Inc90%$0NH
4Friends Of Marsh River Theater80%$0ME
5The Art Effect Of The Hudson Valley Inc80%$2.3MNY
6Black Archives History & Research Foundation Of South Florida Inc---$1.4MFL
7Tiel Sanford Memorial Fund---$496KIA
8Chicago Tamil Sangam---$473KIL
9Charm School Project For Girls---$102KMD
10Weehawken Creative Arts---$893KCO
11Association Of Traditional Hooking Artists---$0NM
12Hombre Nuevo---$7.3MCA
13Joe Lewis Williams Iii Brave Of Heart Foundation---$1KSC
14Madison Valley Veterans Memorial Inc---$0MT
15Clark Nesbitts No Dreams Deferred---$68KSC
16Barn Arts Center For The Arts Company---$357KVT
17Derry Rail Trail Alliance---$0NH
18Intermedia Arts Of Minnesota Inc---$732KMN
19Union County Gift Foundation---$172KAR
20Apz Musical Productions---$0UT
21Tlt Playseums Corp---$746KMD
22East Turkistan National Fund Inc---$98KDC
23Bountiful Philharmonia---$31KUT
24Memphis Cultural Arts Enrichment Center---$75KTN
25Brett Crowe Memorial---$136KSC
26Mobridge Artist Association---$0SD
27Wild West Arena Foundation---$25KNE
28Needham Historical Society Inc---$692KMA
29No Strings Theatre Company---$45KNM
30Shelby American Collection---$1.7MCO
31Art To People---$0HI
32The Point Theater Inc---$414KIN
33Sarabande Books Inc---$547KKY
34Friends Of Young Musicians Inc---$0AR
35Carnegie Center For Arts Culture And Education---$0SD
36Fpc Concerts Inc---$52KSC
37Yanks Air Museum---$1.8MIL
38Historic Homes Foundation Inc---$1.4MKY
39Florentine Opera Co Inc---$19.3MWI
40Kauai Island Singers Showcase---$0HI
41Durango Choral Society---$117KCO
42Windy City Playhouse---$1.3MIL
43Wyoming Aviation Hall Of Fame---$0WY
44Green Candle Theatre Company---$0VT
45Sweet Adelines International---$0VT
46The Centers---$8KSC
47Hamilton Players Inc---$315KMT
48Roots And Wings Community Music School Inc---$0NM
49Chehalis Ballet Center---$422KWA
50Rock On Go Wild---$0RI

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do arts & culture nonprofits spend their money?

On average, 90% goes to programs, 7% to admin, and 3% to fundraising, based on 5 organizations reporting.

What is a good program expense ratio for arts & culture organizations?

While the general benchmark is 75%+, program ratios vary by sector. Arts & Culture nonprofits average 90%, which should be evaluated in the context of the specific type of work these organizations do.