American Craft Council

What it reported doing in 2024

Other programs and events: craft labs-the craft lab workshop series is a free, virtual, professional development program offered exclusively for acc members. Conversations are also recorded and made available to members to view at their convenience. From engaging conversations featuring movers and shakers in the craft industry to presentations on practical skills and methods, acc's craft lab workshop series offers educational programming for practicing artists at every career stage. Learn directly from experts on topics as wide-ranging as photography, financial tools, and marketing for artists. Forums -as a free, public offering, american craft forums feature online discussions with artists, writers, curators, community organizers, and more diverse voices working together to move the craft field forward. Object stories-held in cities across the united states, object stories are live storytelling events that bring together community members to tell stories about handmade objects that hold deep meaning for them. With an emcee to keep the event moving, five to seven storytellers bring handcrafted contemporary or historical objects onstage and tell a short story about their personal significance. Early career artist program- acc provides innovative programs that support craft-centered livelihoods, including initiatives designed to meet the needs of artists as they begin building their careers. Since their first iterations in 2015, our offerings for early career artists have continued to expand and evolve. In 2025, acc introduced a consolidated, membership-based program with a menu of opportunities and resources to nurture the next generations of american makers. By completing a short, free application, the early career artist program invites acc members who identify as early-career artists to grow their career and practice by accessing a variety of resources and opportunities designed to help craftspeople professionalize their passion. The early career artist program includes access to discounted emerging artist booths, an exclusive newsletter, and grant opportunities. Ultimately, this program provides a critical entry point for craftspeople entering the field and deepens the pool of artists who can access opportunities at the american craft council by offering truly transformative experiences for early-career craftspeople. At the end of 2025, the early career artist program included 150 craftspeople.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 75.9%; rating input score 76
• Program expense ratio: 65.7%; rating input score 66
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.34 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 19; 19th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.8%; rating input score 94; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 75.9%; rating input score 76; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 78
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -5%; rating input score 20; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.92; rating input score 34; 34th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.21; rating input score 43; 43rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 7.2%; rating input score 41; 41st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -5.5% per year; rating input score 0; 5th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -3% per year; rating input score 0; 5th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -2.8% per year; rating input score 0; 6th percentile among comparable filings