The Desert Biennial

Analysis

The Desert Biennial is a registered charity in United States, based in Palm Springs, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in April 2015, 11 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts, culture and humanities, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, The Desert Biennial reported income of $1.3m and spending of $2.8m, spending 224% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income fell from $1.6m to $1.3m (-20%), an average of -5.5% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2020, when income rose by 93%. Over the whole period it spent 98% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Desert Biennial sits at the 88th percentile: it is larger than about 88% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 82nd percentile, and in the 83rd percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Performing Arts Academy ($1.3m), San Jose Taiko Group Inc ($1.3m) and Act II Playhouse Ltd ($1.3m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 98% and program service revenue 2.2% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $145k (5.1% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $307k. It paid $34k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $512k against liabilities of $166k, net assets of $345k. It reported 10 employees.